UNWTO helps put the Vanilla Islands on the map

The concept of 'Vanilla Islands', defined at the beginning of August 2010 under the aegis of the Indian Ocean Commission, aims to unify the islands of Comoros, Mauritius, Madagascar, La Reunion, Seychelles, Maldives and Mayotte, under one tourism brand through the valorization of each of the islands unique selling propositions. The Organisation aims to increase connectivity to and intra islands, create new multi-destination products and attract more visitors to the Indian Ocean. 

UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai said “It is exciting to see the political will behind this project: The regional cooperation emerging in the Vanilla Islands is an example of how destination islands can, by working together, address some of the key challenges facing islands such as connectivity while creating a stronger and more attractive brand.” 

Alain St Ange, president of the “Vanilla Islands” and minister of tourism and culture of Seychelles said: “The La Reunion Minister's meeting of the Vanilla Islands has been seen as a success because it has finally moved this concept into a real grouping that is today a tourism organisation of a big region. The world will now hear of the Vanilla Islands as the new tourism destination and for this I join my colleague ministers of the region to say thank you to UNWTO and to the community of nations.”