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Advancing regional aviation and tourism cooperation |24 April 2015

With the aim of adopting a more sustainable approach to the development of air transport in the Indian Ocean region and Africa, 35 member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) met recently in Madagascar.

The meeting discussed the sustainability of air transport development in Africa and focused on more cooperation between the aviation and tourism sectors.

The member states, including Seychelles met in Antananarivo, upon the invitation of the Malagasy Civil Aviation Authority and their Ministry of Tourism, Transport and Meteorology, in the presence of representatives of the ICAO, who were spearheading the meeting.

Since Seychelles has taken a leading role in improving air connectivity in the region, pushing for the one flight per day between regional Indian Ocean islands, the presence of delegates from our aviation sectors at the meeting was very significant. The Seychelles delegation was headed by Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority chief executive Gilbert Faure.

“The presence of Seychelles at this seminar was very important after the Indian Ocean Commission meeting here in Seychelles last year. It shows our engagement and dedication for regional integration and development of our industries, especially the tourism and aviation sectors which are both vitals for isolated island states such as ours,” said Mr Faure.

“We are determined to invest our efforts for more cooperation, concrete actions and strategies need to be adopted. As a group of countries we are stronger together to push forward these objectives which will better the livelihood of our people, boost trade, develop tourism potential and seek to lay a stronger foundation on the pillars of safety and security of air travel,” added the chief executive.

During three days the states identified and discussed areas where significant interventions need to be made and improved upon in the air transport industry such as connectivity, the impact of taxation on the development of air transport, differences in regulatory cost, and the role of international agreements to promote a more flexible environment which facilitates the region’s socio-economic development through improved air connectivity. The discussions ended with the adoption of a new Declaration on the Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Africa.

There was a specific call from ICAO president Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu for more cooperation between the aviation and tourism development and he praised and encouraged efforts being made to develop the two industries which are very much dependable on each other:

“Enhanced air transport connectivity and competitiveness is especially crucial for the sustainable economic development of landlocked developing countries and small island developing states, a situation particularly prevalent in Africa,” said ICAO council president Dr Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu.

“It is also very relevant to the situation of Madagascar and its neighbours of the Indian Ocean. I would stress in this regard that ICAO fully supports the holistic concept of Vanilla Islands – a cooperative approach to highlight the tourism potential of this region which is well-aligned with ICAO’s connectivity and sustainable development goals.”

 The synergies of air transport and tourism were discussed lengthily with the involvement of representatives of the World’s Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).
Foreign Affairs and Transport Minister Joël Morgan said: “The government of Seychelles is strongly committed to finding the best approach in increasing air connectivity between countries in the region, and with the continent of Africa, and in so doing boosting the tourism industry, which is our number one economic resource for Seychelles. This is why together with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, we have invested in major conferences such as Routes Africa, and IOC meeting last July. With that said, my ministry will continue to work relentlessly with all our partners to achieve successful results for this important initiative.”

All director generals and civil aviation authorities’ chief executives who attended the seminar also had a special audience with the President of Madagascar, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, who expressed his satisfaction with the work being undertaken by the ICAO and the Indian Ocean Commission in different domains.

At the end of his encounter with the heads of delegations representing the 35 countries, the President of Madagascar conveyed his good wishes for continued success with the work being undertaken.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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