IIPT - International Institute for Peace Through Tourism - Institut International Pour La Paix Par Le Tourisme

History

The International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) was founded in 1986, the UN International Year of Peace, with a view towards a travel and tourism industry response to the peaking of terrorism in 1985/'86 (much of it aimed at the travel industry); the growing tensions of East and West (in the early '80's); a deteriorating environment; and the growing gap of have and have not regions of the world.

Since it's founding in 1986, IIPT has brought together global leaders from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, as well as the areas of culture, environment and development. Three Global Conferences, Vancouver (1988), Montreal (1994), Glasgow (1999); and a series of smaller conferences, round tables, and seminars, provided the foundations for the First Global Summit on Peace through Tourism held in Amman, Jordan, November 2000. H.M. King Abdullah II was Royal Patron and American Express the Title Sponsor of the Summit which honored the legacy of King Hussein as a Peace Maker and served as a demonstration of support for a continuation of the peace process in the Middle East and other regions of the world.

Summit Outcomes included the Amman Declaration ratified by participants from some 60 countries including 23 CEO's of major travel companies (members of the World Travel and Tourism Council), 16 Ministers of Tourism, and Heads of major international travel and tourism associations. The Amman Declaration has since been incorporated as an official U.N. document.

Other outcomes included the formation of a Coalition of Partners for World Peace through Tourism with more than 20 founding partners - each committed to a Millennium Project that contributes to the vision of "Tourism as a Global Peace Industry"; three international networks (Educators, Rural and Community-Based Tourism. Spirituality,); and the launch of a Global Peace Parks Project from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ's baptism, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, of the first year of the new Millennium.

IIPT achievements have also included drafting of the world's first Codes of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism; consultation with the United Nations in identifying the state of the art in Codes of Conduct for Tourism and the Environment; drafting of guidelines for some 20 industry sectors for the Pacific Asia Travel Association "Green Leaf Program"; and a "Peace Parks Across Canada" project commemorating Canada's 125th anniversary as a nation. More than 400 cities and towns across Canada dedicated a park to peace - each with a bosco sacro, a peace grove, of 12 trees as a symbolic link with one another and a symbol of hope for the future.

IIPT Second Global Summit The Second Global Summit on Peace through Tourism was announced, together with the first IIPT African Conference, by prominent industry leaders in a featured center-stage ceremony at World Travel Market, London, November 12, 2001 With the events of 11 September, there is growing recognition that that the ideas and ideals of "Peace through Tourism" are more important now than ever before.

The Summit's aim is to expand the current base of partners within the travel and tourism industry to include partners in the areas of education, culture, sport, environment and religion with a view towards encouraging dialogue and programs, which contribute to the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. A focus of the Summit will be the role of Travel and Tourism in Poverty Reduction, with the aim of developing a beginning "Coordinated Strategy for the Role of Travel & Tourism in Poverty Reduction."

Specific Programs envisioned include:

1. Executive Ambassador Program - retired executives from the travel and tourism industry volunteering for assignments of one to six months in developing countries.

2. Student Ambassador Program - inter-disciplinary teams of university students performing for credit projects related to sustainable tourism development in developing countries.

3. Micro-enterprise Program - to serve as a catalyst for the development of tourism micro-enterprise initiatives in developing countries.

4. Bridging the Digital Divide - building exchange programs with students, which provide opportunities for sharing knowledge regarding computers and global communications via the internet/world wide web.

5. Website development to include case studies of success stories and examples of best practice re "Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism" in all its dimensions.

6. Collaborating with academics to introduce "Peace through Tourism" concepts into curricula.

7. Implementation of Global Peace Parks Project with a goal of 2,000 Peace Parks circling the globe. Peace Parks in Pearl Harbor and Ndola, Zambia (at the site where UN Secretary General Dag Hammarskjold went down while on a Peace Mission in 1961) were dedicated in connection with the launch of the Global Peace Parks Project.

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Achievements

Broad global awareness of tourism potential to contribute to a “culture of peace”

IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler developed and promoted around the globe.
Amman Declaration adopted as an official document of the United Nations.
Awards to individuals and organizations in recognition of outstanding achievement in contributing to a “Culture of Peace through Tourism.”
More than 400 “Success Stories” and models of “Best Practice” identified and presented in IIPT conferences and Summits.
Guidelines for the Pacific Asia Travel Association “GreenLeaf” Program.

Broad Awareness among academic institutions and future leaders of the industry

Peace through Tourism incorporated in text books and curricula of undergraduate and graduate University Tourism and Hospitality Programs.
Scholarships awarded to students in each region of the world writing the best paper on “Peace through Tourism.”
Peace through tourism increasingly a topic of research by university students.

IIPT Coalition of Partners for World Peace through Tourism

Partnership with more than 40 prestigious international organizations – each committed to a Millennium Project that contributes to the vision of tourism as a “Global Peace Industry.”
Strategic alliance with the world’s four largest youth travel organizations in promoting youth travel for international understanding and peace.

Dedication of Peace Parks throughout the world

Peace Parks Across Canada Project commemorating Canada’s 125^th birthday as a nation with 400 dedication of 400 peace parks in cities and towns across Canada.
Global Peace Parks Project launched from Bethany Beyond the Jordan with a goal of 2000 peace parks circling the earth by 2010.