Victoria, Seychelles, 2 June 2026 – Seychelles has been elected to serve on the Fourth Council of the World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF), marking a significant achievement for Victoria. One of the world’s smallest tourism capital cities.
The Mayor of Victoria, 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. Representatives from 56 tourism cities participated in the election process.
The neighbouring island nation of Mauritius was also elected to the Council.
Held in Beijing from 1–4 June under the theme “Smart Tourism, Better Future,” the summit focuses on the role of digital innovation, smart technologies, and international cooperation in advancing the tourism sector. It was attended by mayors, tourism officials and organisations, and industry leaders
“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 to contribute to global discussions on building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready tourism destinations,” says Mayor Josy Michaud Payet.
During her visit to Beijing, Mayor Michaud-Payet will also participate in the Mayors’ Dialogue, where she is scheduled to deliver three presentations centred on the theme “Better City Life Through Tourism.” Her interventions will highlight Seychelles’ experiences in sustainable tourism, cultural development, community engagement, and the use of innovation to enhance visitor experiences and quality of life for residents. Seychelles local tourism representative in Shanghai, Sam Yu was also present at the event.
The election reflects the growing recognition of Seychelles as a respected voice in international tourism and provides a platform to further strengthen partnerships with tourism cities worldwide.
