Norbert Couvreur named cultural ambassador |11 May 2016

Beachcomber Sainte Anne Resort and Spa’s outgoing general manager Norbert Couvreur has been appointed Seychelles’ cultural ambassador.

He received his certificate of appointment as a cultural ambassador from the Minister for Tourism and Culture Alain St Ange during a ceremony held in the offices of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture at the Espace building on Monday. The ceremony took place in the presence of the principal secretary for Culture Benjamine Rose.

It is the first time the Ministry of Tourism and Culture names a former hotel general manager as cultural ambassador. Minister St Ange has declared that the ministry appoints as cultural ambassadors people who understand the Seychelles, its culture and its people.

“Generally we have appointed famous personalities is the world of music and the arts and we work with them to open doors to our Seychellois artists, both performing or visual,” said Minister St Ange, adding that “Mr Couvreur understood that by working together with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) and the ministry he was playing the togetherness card that has helped to ensure the consolidation of the islands’ tourism industry.”

“Mr Couvreur has been a GM who understood Seychelles and who has worked with our ministry for the betterment of the tourism industry, as he supported cultural events that appeared on the Seychelles calendar of events. After some six years he is moving to France and will be general manager of a hotel complex where many famous sport personalities from the world over train and spend quality time. We have opened a dialogue with Mr Couvreur to open doors for Seychelles tourism, culture and also our sportsmen and women. His appointment as our cultural ambassador is only officialising what he will be doing in any way for Seychelles after he leaves our shores, this is being a good ambassador for our islands,” said Minister St Ange 

Addressing Mr Couvreur personally, the minister said:

“Mon cher Norbert, we appreciated your presence in Seychelles as a resort general manager. We worked well with you and we appreciated your unconditional support for the ministry and for Seychelles. We wish you well in the challenging position you are taking and know that even though you are leaving Seychelles, no one will be able to remove Seychelles from your heart.”