Seychellois Kenneth Racombo has been appointed as head of resource mobilisation and development at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).

Mr Racombo, who is currently the director general for development and regional integration at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, started his career as an economist working for the same ministry.

He has a Master in Diplomatic Studies with the University of Pretoria, a Master in Strategic Management with the National University of Ireland and a degree in Economics with the University of Mauritius.

Mr Racombo was also the permanent liaison officer for Seychelles to the Indian Ocean Commission.

A Seychellois representative in such a high-level rank at the SADC RETOSA will provide Seychelles with greater visibility in the region and added support in terms of the development of the tourism sector and regional integration.

RETOSA is a SADC organisation focusing on tourism development through effective marketing of the region in collaboration with the public and private sector.

It is repositioning itself as a platform for promoting tourism not just among SADC member countries but to bring more tourists from outside the trade bloc into the region.

The transformation was agreed upon by the ministers during the seventh meeting of SADC ministers responsible for tourism in Gaborone, Botswana, on July 7, 2016.

Such transformation includes the shift in board members from public representatives to chief executives of national tourism organisations and private representatives.

It is being seen as a positive development not only for the organisation but for member states as RETOSA member states aims to go forward with one common understanding and vision.

The ministers reviewed earlier instructions to turn RETOSA into a viable and self-sustaining organisation tasked with the promotion of the SADC tourism sector.

The private sector, which has not been active for a long time in the participation of RETOSA, is also expected to come on board.

As part of the transformation process, a new secretariat has been appointed with Desmond Golding from South Africa as its new chief executive.

Forrás: www.nation.sc