The member states of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands organisation has re-elected its President, Alain St. Ange, who is the Seychelles Minister for Tourism & Culture, for a second term. 

This election was held during the organisation's extraordinary meeting held at the International Tourism Fair of Madagascar on Thursday May 30.

The resolution comes a few days before the end of the current mandate of Minister St. Ange. 
The proposition to re-elect Minister St. Ange was made by the four member states namely La Reunion, Madagascar, Mayotte and the Comoros. 

The member states felt that the first year was more an inception year, whereby the organisation's structure was being put in place and this is still an ongoing process.

It was resolved that the organisation should double its efforts to move into a plan of action mode to implement the agenda set forth for the next 12 months and to ensure a continuity, necessary for its harmonious development.

The meeting also resolved several key points aimed at furthering the cause and raison d'être of the organisation as follows:
• Air access within the Indian Ocean zone and particularly markets such as China

• Vanilla Island branding and visibility at tourism trade fairs starting with Top Resa in Paris and ITB Asia in Singapore
• The next ministerial meeting to be held in the Comoros 
• The inclusion of Maldives as a fully member within the organisation as from the organisation’s next  ministerial meeting
• The inclusion of affiliate members Rodrigues of Mauritius, Nossy Be of Madagascar, Praslin and La Digue of the Seychelles at the next ministerial meeting

• Drafting of a charter of sustainable tourism practices for the region.
 The extraordinary meeting was attended by Didier Robert, President of the Conseil Regional de La Reunion, Tourism Minister of Madagascar Jean-Max Rakotomamonjy, Minister St. Ange, Hissane Guy of the Comoros Tourism Authority  and Michel Ahmed of the Mayotte Tourism Authority.

Speaking to the press after his re-election, Minister St. Ange said he was humbled by the support received by the other members states.

“Their resolve in supporting my leadership and their unity in wanting to see our regional organisation work for the benefit of our respective island economies, of our tourism industries and for the well being of our people was really appreciated. We are now set to consolidate our Vanilla Islands,” Minister St. Ange said.

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