The asssociation
Who we are?
History of the Association
At the suggestion of a Breton, Mr. Jean Manquat, who proposed building a connection between Ha Long Bay and the Gulf of Morbihan, the association “The Most Beautiful Bays in the World” was born at the Berlin Tourism Fair in March 1997, thanks to its three founders: Michel Met, Hervé Laigo, and Bruno Bodard.
Between 1998 and 2003, several Bays united to build together what the association is today, an international organization dedicated to tourism and sustainable development.
The founding bays are: Gulf of Morbihan – Bay of Along – Bay of Sommes – Bay of Tadoussac – Bay of Bodrum – Bay of Agadir – Bay of Bantry – Bay of Porto Girolata – Bay of Mont Saint Michel – Bay of San Francisco .
The association of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, 25 years later, brings together 42 bays from Europe, Asia, Africa, and of the Americas.
Presidents in the history of the association:
World’s Most Beautiful Bays – Board of Directors (2025–2028)
Elected Members
● President: Bruno Bodard
● President Elect: Omar Achy – In charge of communications.
● Secretary General: Issa Barro
● Deputy Secretary General: Rachel Arseneau-Ferguson
● Treasurer: Lionel Pariset
● Deputy Treasurer: Cathy Caselatto
● VP Europe: Michel Zanettacci — MBBW Correspondent to MAB
● VP Europe Delegate: Marien Daumas — Youth Commission Manager
● VP Asia: Xiu Jianhua — Chair, “Science and Culture” Commission
● Deputy VP Asia: Gloria Yoon
● VP Americas: Guy Rousset
● Deputy VP Americas: Louis Molinie
● VP Africa: Abdoulaye Sene
● Deputy VP Africa: Henrique de Magalhães — Head of MBBW University Project (Luanda
& Lusophony Countries)
Ex Officio Member
● Past President: Louis Thébault
Appointed by the General Assembly
● CEO: Huynh Pham
● Chief Special Advisor: Galip Gür
Appointed by the President
● Chumno Chuk: Personal Advisor to the President
● Anna Lison: Marketing Manager
● Mohamed Cherif: MBBW Ambassador for Peace
● Patrick Mahé: Publishing Manager
● David Goncalves: Head of the Tourism Commission
● Koichi Takakuwa: Sustainability and Nautical Advisor
● Kang Byung Suk: MBBW Representative for the Yeosu Island Exhibition 2026
● Corinne Massoni: International Projects Manager & MBBW Representative to UNESCO
● Hubert d’Aboville: Correspondent for Local Environmental Organisations and Natural
Parks
● Françoise Couriaut: Private Secretary to the President & Head of Headquarters