27 February 2024
The former Minister responsible for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles, Alain St. Ange, who now heads his very own ‘Saint Ange Tourism Consultancy’ joined Dr. Jens Thraenhart, the former Executive Director of the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office to the CEO of Visit Barbados, and as the 2nd Vice Chair of the UN Tourism Affiliate Members Board who is now the Founding Partner of Chameleon Strategies and Theodore Koumelis, the Founder and Managing Director Travel Daily News were invited in Egypt to address the ceremony recognizing Sharm El-Sheikh as the Tourism Capital City 2024 by the African-Asian Union (AFASU) and Major General Khaled Fouda, the South Sinai Governor as the “Man of the Year” Award.
The three tourism experts were part of the African-Asian Union (AFASU) Team on the ground headed by its President Dr. Hossam Darwish and Major General Hossam Badr El-Din, the Secretary General of the Union.
“It is with great honour and privilege that we gather here today to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable achievements in tourism development, in Sharm El Sheikh, the City of Peace” the tourism experts said to the press after the award ceremony that saw several Egyptian Ministers and Senior Government Official seated in a packed banqueting hall with private sector business and tourism trade leaders.
”As members of the Awards Committee, it is our duty to recognize and commend the outstanding efforts of Major General Khaled Fouda, Governor of South Sinai, for his exemplary leadership and dedication to advancing tourism in the region. We have witnessed an amazing transformation of the city the last years with the implementation of smart technologies and sustainable practices. Tonight, we proudly present the AFASU Gold Award to Major General Khaled Fouda, recognizing him as the “Man of the Year” for his exceptional contributions to the development of Sharm El Sheikh as a premier tourist destination. Under his leadership, Sharm El Sheikh has flourished, earning the esteemed AFASU award for the safest tourist destination to visit in the world.
“This achievement is a testament to Major General Fouda’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to creating a smart and sustainable city and ensuring the safety and security of all visitors to the region. Furthermore, we recognize the city of Sharm El Sheikh for its dedication to sustainability, energy conservation, and the safety of tourists. Through initiatives aimed at sustainability, clean energy adoption, and the implementation of smart technologies, Sharm El Sheikh has emerged as a beacon of responsible tourism practices. These efforts align closely with the mission of the African-Asian Union (AFASU), which seeks to promote and reward policies and best practices that drive tourism, economic prosperity, and community development” as words that were echoed in the speeches.
Alain St. Ange, who was in Sharm El-Sheikh only months ago and who had met Major General Khaled Fouda, the South Sinai Governor, went further to add that he saw a leader who always displayed ‘humility’. “I had the honour of sharing a podium with the Governor at another event and saw a person who never missed the opportunity to go after what would be good for Egypt and the People of Egypt as he displayed his unconditional love for his country,” said St. Ange to the press.
