The groundwork is underway for Seychelles' hosting of the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) Commission for Africa, the first meeting of the regional body since the WTO achieved UN affiliate status.

The WTO was granted affiliated status to the United Nations in January this year and the Seychelles meeting presents African WTO members with their first chance to discuss the changed status at a regional level.

Delegates from across the continent will be in Seychelles for the four day meeting, beginning on March 10, and the organising committee is hard at work finalising the arrangements.

The bulk of activities associated with the roving annual forum are expected to take place at the Plantation Club Resort and are set to be attended by the head of the WTO Francesco Frangialli.

The meeting is the 41st such gathering for the African WTO group and is due to be attended by over 100 participants, representing some 48 members and 22 affiliate members.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Transport, the stated aim of the WTO Commission for Africa is to, "promote tourism with a focus on responsibility and sustainability so that it can serve as a dynamic catalyst of employment, wealth creation, investment and poverty alleviation in the region."

At the local level, the government is hoping to use the meeting as a chance to promote Seychelles as a conference and incentives destination, as well as to show case the promotion of sustainable tourism.

The organising committee, chaired by Tourism Principle Secretary, Eddie Bell, includes representative from the Ministry, staff from STMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the SHTA, and has invited all "tourism stakeholders" to lend their support to the meeting.

"We would like to call on local stakeholders for their support, because when we host such things Seychelles benefits, not just the public sector, but the private sector also," said a ministry spokesperson.

The cost of hosting the meeting is to be split between the Seychelles government, the WTO and the attending delegates and final arrangements should be completed within the next two weeks.

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