The World Tourism Network may play a key role in assisting Almaty, Kazakhstan in building a better, safer, and more visible global travel and tourism destination.
World Tourism Network Vice President Dr. Alain St. Ange, the former Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports & Marine of the Seychelles, is representing WTN Chairman Juergen Steinmetz in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in delivering a keynote address to more than 300 key leaders. This emerging travel and tourism destination in the Central Asian region invited WTN to share best practices in developing this region even better for global tourism.
With Kazakhstan’s national airline carrier, Air Astana, expanding its global network, the country has become a key destination in the region.
Dr. Alain St.Ange, who also consults on tourism destinations, is leaving on a four-day mission to Almaty, representing WTN by invitation of VisitAlmaty.
This City Administration government body annually holds a popular tourism event and invites Speakers from Influential Organizations in the Global Community of Nations.
The expected audience is managers from tourism-related organizations who work in different government fields, including tourist police, rescue, destination management, customs, and border guards. They need to train their personnel to work with tourists and make the country attractive for tourism.
“We have 300 delegates, and the number could increase slightly, and they would be divided into ten groups with 30 people. The employees understand what tourism is in general. And Kazakhstan is a new destination, and we must appreciate how to deal with foreigners.”
When briefed on this assignment, Dr. Alain St.Ange was told that the primary goal of this mission was to strengthen the understanding of International standards and their importance in the hospitality industry, create a “friendly” environment for international visitors, and train people on the high standards of behavioral norms towards visitors, creating Global awareness of Kazakhstan as a friendly tourist destination.
Juergen Steinmetz, chairman of WTN, said: “We’re excited to work with Almaty, and asking Alain to represent our young organization at this critical event for a country with enormous tourism potential is a privilege. As a former minister and a UNWTO candidate for Secretary-General, he has the experience and the seniority to assist Almaty. “
Dr. Peter Tarlow, president of the World Tourism Network, said: “We’re excited to have Alain represent us in Almaty. WTN, together with Tourism and More, is ideally positioned to assist Almaty and Kazakhstan in implementing and training tourism police and assist the city and country with issues about safety and security. With decades of experience on a global scale, I am standing by to learn more after Alain’s return.”
Alain St.Ange said as he was thrilled to be heading to Kazakhstan. “This will be my first visit to this huge country, often unknown as a tourism destination. As I embark on this practical training mission, it will be a discovery trip. I have never tasted horse meat, a specialty in Kazakhstan, and I am ready to take the challenge. ”
