VICTORIA, Seychelles — Seychelles has secured a seat on the Fourth Council of the World Tourism Cities Federation, marking a milestone achievement for Victoria, one of the world’s smallest tourism capitals. Mayor Josy Michaud Payet was elected to represent Victoria during the inauguration of the Fourth Council at the WTCF Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit 2026, one of the world’s leading international tourism gatherings.
The election process involved representatives from 56 tourism cities, with Mauritius also joining the Council. Held in Beijing from June 1 to 4 under the theme ‘Smart Tourism, Better Future’, the summit focuses on digital innovation, smart technologies, and international cooperation in advancing global tourism. Attendees include mayors, tourism officials, organisations, and industry leaders.
Mayor Michaud Payet remarked that it is a great honour to represent Victoria on the Fourth Council of the World Tourism Cities Federation. The Council will meet regularly to strengthen collaboration among member cities and support tourism development initiatives worldwide. This election also provides a valuable opportunity to showcase Victoria’s experience as a small tourist city and contribute to global discussions on building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready tourism destinations.
During her visit, Mayor Michaud Payet also participated in the Mayors’ Dialogue, delivering three presentations under the theme ‘Better City Life Through Tourism’. Her interventions highlighted Seychelles’ leadership in sustainable tourism, cultural development, community engagement, and innovation to enhance visitor experiences and residents’ quality of life. Seychelles’ tourism representative in Shanghai, Sam Yu, was also present at the event.
This election underscores Seychelles’ growing recognition as a respected voice in international tourism and provides a platform to strengthen partnerships with tourism cities worldwide. The WTCF serves as an important forum for knowledge exchange and cooperation among tourism cities globally.
The mayor’s participation at the Beijing summit marks an important step in positioning Victoria as an active player in global tourism governance.
