Tourism can be a powerful form of diplomacy, according to Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange of the Seychelles, who delivered a keynote address at the Oxford Global Diplomat Summit & Dialogue. St.Ange argued that tourism deserves to be understood as more than just an economic sector, but as a daily act of human connection that can challenge prejudice and strengthen peace.
Speaking on the theme “Tourism as a Bridge Between Nations,” St.Ange cited figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council, which forecasts that travel and tourism will contribute around $12 trillion to the global economy in 2026, supporting roughly 376 million jobs worldwide.
Tourism as Cultural Diplomacy
However, St.Ange emphasized that the numbers are not the whole story, and that tourism can have a profound impact on how nations see one another. He argued that behind every international arrival is a person crossing a border, a culture being encountered, and a community being seen, which can challenge prejudices and promote greater understanding.
St.Ange described this as “cultural diplomacy,” where people discover one another for themselves, rather than through government initiatives. He noted that a nation becomes more than just a destination when tourists interact with locals, such as taxi drivers, restaurant owners, and families, who share their stories and cultures.
Connectivity and Sustainability
St.Ange also linked tourism to a broader argument about connectivity, noting that improved air links, maritime routes, roads, and digital infrastructure can connect businesses to markets, families to one another, and students to universities. He observed that a new air route can become an economic corridor, and that the person who visits as a tourist today may return as an investor tomorrow.
However, St.Ange also emphasized the importance of sustainability in the tourism sector, citing the World Bank’s warning that Seychelles’ GDP could be more than 6 percent lower by 2050 without sufficient action on environmental and climate-related risks. He argued that sustainability is not the enemy of growth, but rather its condition, and that destinations must create more value from tourism while placing less pressure on the resources it relies upon.
In the middle of his address, St.Ange turned to the human impact of tourism, and how it can change the lives of individuals and communities. For instance, when tourists support local businesses, they are directly contributing to the livelihoods of families and communities, which can have a positive ripple effect on the entire economy. This, in turn, can lead to a greater sense of ownership and participation among locals, who are more likely to protect and preserve their cultural heritage and natural environment.
The Value of Difference
St.Ange warned against the quiet cost of global sameness, arguing that the more connected the world becomes, the more valuable its differences become. He noted that people do not usually cross oceans to experience exactly what they have at home, and that the future of tourism should be about allowing every destination to remain unmistakably itself.
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He emphasized the importance of protecting and celebrating local cultures, and ensuring that communities are not spectators in their own tourism industry, but rather participants, decision-makers, and beneficiaries. St.Ange also stressed that culture belongs first to the people who live it, and should never be reduced to a product packaged for visitors.
In his closing remarks, St.Ange returned to his central claim that tourism moves more than money, but also ideas, traditions, knowledge, and stories, and that it can change attitudes and promote greater understanding between nations. He argued that tourism can become a form of diplomacy without a negotiating table, education without a classroom, and trade with a human face.
Ambassador Dr. Alain St.Ange is a recognized figure on the international speakers circuit, and has written several books on tourism development, politics, and culture, including Alain St.Ange My Journey — An Autobiography. His career spans hotel operations, national tourism marketing, and government leadership, and he is a former Minister of Tourism and Culture and CEO of the Seychelles Tourism Board.
St.Ange’s work has taken him to many countries. He is a Seychelles-born tourism leader whose career spans hotel operations, national tourism marketing, regional destination-building, government leadership, and international advocacy.
The World Travel and Tourism Council’s forecast of $12 trillion in contributions to the global economy in 2026 is a significant figure, and it highlights the importance of the tourism industry. The fact that tourism will support roughly 376 million jobs worldwide is also a sign of the industry’s potential to drive economic growth and create employment opportunities.
St.Ange’s emphasis on sustainability is also important, as the tourism industry must find ways to balance its growth with the need to protect the environment and preserve natural resources. The World Bank’s warning that Seychelles’ GDP could be more than 6 percent lower by 2050 without sufficient action on environmental and climate-related risks is a stark reminder of the need for sustainable tourism practices.
Overall, St.Ange’s keynote address highlighted the potential of tourism to drive economic growth, cultural exchange, and environmental sustainability. His message is one of hope and optimism, and it emphasizes the importance of working together to build a more sustainable and equitable tourism industry.
As the world becomes increasingly connected, the value of difference will become more important. People will seek out unique experiences and cultural exchanges, and the tourism industry must be prepared to meet this demand. St.Ange’s vision for the future of tourism is one of diversity, inclusivity, and sustainability.