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IIPT
Debate Featured at
World Travel Market |
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This year’s IIPT debate at World Travel Market focused
on the key role of Travel and Tourism – the world’s
largest industry in “Building Bridges of Understanding
Between Civilizations, Cultures and Religions.” |
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Mr. Peter de Jong,
PATA President and CEO
Mr. Robert Coggin
Vice Chairman, Travelport |
Moderating this year’s debate was H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji,
Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II, Jordan. Mr. Peter de
Jong, PATA President and CEO provided further context for the
debate, and sharing their insights were three industry leaders
with a breadth of experience and knowledge that provided an
over-arching global perspective: Mr. Robert Coggin, Vice
Chairman, Travelport; Mr. Elhamy ElZayat, Chairman, Egyptian
Tourism Federation and Chairman & CEO, Emeco Travel; and Mr.
Alwin Zecha, Executive Committee PATA, and Executive Chairman,
Pacific Leisure Group.
Humanity is currently witnessing - and shaping the most
significant paradigm shift in human history – a paradigm shift
of major demographic, economic, ecological and geo-political
dimensions. Integral to this paradigm shift are global
challenges unprecedented in human history including global
warming, depleting resources, an ever-increasing and
unsustainable ecological footprint, global poverty, and HIV
AIDS.
To meet these challenges will similarly require collaboration on
a global scale unprecedented in human history – and to achieve
this level of global collaboration – it is essential that we
first build the foundations of mutual understanding and respect
between civilizations, cultures and religions.
In framing the debate, Peter de Jong said: “I firmly believe
that Travel and Tourism builds important positive bridges
between our various civilizations, cultures and religions. But
it needs the opportunity to do so and the correct environment to
do so. And it may not always be wholly successful – but name me
another, better mechanism whereby ordinary people can meet and
interact with other ordinary people – to discover that we are,
after all, very much alike – that all important discovery of our
common humanity.” |
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore, was proud to
again bring the debate to the global forum of World
Travel Market. Commenting on the debate, Mr. D’Amore
said: “Clearly, collaborating in the manner required to
meet the global challenges faced by humanity – will
require that we be a world at peace – a peace based on
mutual respect and justice – and an appreciation of our
inter-connectedness as a global family.”
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H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji,
Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II, Jordan
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IIPT Panel participants Robert
Coggin, Louis D'Amore, World Travel Market
Managing Director Fiona Jeffery, H.E. Akel
Biltaji, and Alwin Zecha. |
Mr. Alwin Zecha, Executive
Committee PATA, and Executive Chairman, Pacific
Leisure Group
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IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore
addressing SKAL International Council |
Litsa Papathanassi, President, SKAL International
Presenting SKAL banner to Louis D’Amore |
Lone Ricks, President, SKAL International Council
and Louis D’Amore |
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IIPT President Proposes Areas of
Collaboration in
Address to SKAL World Congress
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IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore was most honored to address the
National Presidents and the International Council of SKAL International at
its recent 68th World Congress held in Antalya, Turkey.
Founded as an international association in 1934, SKAL is the largest
organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world with more
than 20,000 members in over 500 locations on five continents and 90
developed and developing countries, and embracing all sectors of the
travel and tourism industry.
More than 900 SKAL members from 90 countries took part in this year’s
World Congress in Antalya, Turkey with its theme “Under the Wings of
Civilization” in recognition of Antalya’s history as the host of great
civilizations over thousands of years.
Mr. D’Amore began his address by congratulating SKAL on their 75th
Anniversary as an international association with its many
accomplishments in promoting goodwill and friendship through travel; and
in particular, President Litsa Papathanassi for the theme of her
Presidency, “Sustainable Development in Tourism” – quoting from a recent
talk by President Papathanassi that “SKAL is the ideal platform for
promoting best practices in the sustainable development of tourism -
which can be a powerful tool for economic growth, poverty reduction and
the conservation of natural and cultural resources.”
He went on to suggest that IIPT shares these values with SKAL and to
propose two areas for SKAL – IIPT collaboration in the spirit of the “UN
Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.”
IIPT Global Peace Parks Program
Mr. D’Amore proposed that SKAL International join with IIPT in its
Global Peace Parks Program with its goal of 2010 Peace Parks circling
the earth by 2010, the last year of the UN Decade of Peace and
Non-Violence for the Children of the World. “SKAL, with its 500 Clubs in
more than 90 countries is the ideal partner for our Global Peace Parks
Program.”
The Global Peace Parks Program was launched on the 11th hour, of the
11th day, of the 11th month, 2000 – first year of the new Millennium as
a legacy of the First Global Summit on Peace through Tourism in Amman,
Jordan. More than 450 Peace Parks have been dedicated to Peace in cities
and towns throughout the world beginning in 1992 with IIPT’s “Peace
Parks Across Canada” project commemorating Canada’s 125th anniversary as
a nation. IIPT Peace parks have also been dedicated in the United
States, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, South Africa, Tanzania,
Zambia, Uganda, the Philippines, Thailand, and Jamaica.
IIPT - SKAL Executive Ambassador Program
The world’s developing and least developed countries are increasingly
relying on tourism as an economic engine in reducing poverty and
achieving sustainable economic development.
“The IIPT - SKAL Executive Ambassador Program will assist developing
countries to achieve this goal by providing them with the knowledge and
expertise gained by retired executives with their 20 – 30 – 40 years of
experience in the industry be it in marketing, planning, product
development, human resource planning, public relations, finance – or
other areas of expertise.”
The program will match the ‘needed skill’ of the developing country,
with a retired executive having these skills – who will share his
knowledge and expertise as a volunteer for a mutually agreed upon time
frame.
IIPT and SKAL have agreed to continue discussions on both programs with
a view towards implementation in 2008.
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Dr. Klaas Wybo van der
Hoek
Vice-President, CHN Executive Board
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Dr. Omar Moufakkir
installed as Lector
by Professor Dr. Martin Gertler
Director, Academic Affairs |
Louis D'Amore
IIPT Founder and President
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Dr. Omar Moufakkir Installed as
Lector Tourism for Peace – CHN University |
IIPT was most honored to be present for the
installation of Dr. Omar Moufakkir as Lector
Tourism for Peace at CHN University earlier this
month. The CHN Tourism for Peace Lectureship is
the fist in the world and just one more example
of the visionary – values based leadership of
CHN University.
Born in Morocco, Dr. Omar Moufakkir did his
undergraduate studies in France and graduate
studies in the Netherlands. He received his PhD
from Michigan State University in Parks,
Recreation and Tourism Resources where he also
taught and conducted research in the
University’s Tourism Resource Center. Dr.
Moufakkir currently is a professor of tourism at
CHN University – and with his installation as
Lector Tourism for Peace, will take on increased
responsibility in conducting research and
innovative projects that foster ‘Peace through
Tourism.’
In his Installation Address, Dr. Moufakkir spoke
of both the benefits – and problems resulting
from globalization and information technology
and how these issues challenge tourism in a
turbulent world. He emphasized that more needs
to be done to encourage social cohesion and to
reinforce tolerance and mutual respect and
towards this end, tourism has a central role.
But most of all – he spoke about hope, hope that
his children – and all the children of the world
– will have the opportunity to live in a world
with enlightened leadership, peace with justice,
a healthy environment, and educational
opportunity for all.
CHN is a value-driven, globally oriented,
student-centered University with more than 7,000
students at its main campus in Leeuwarden,
Netherlands and satellite campuses in South
Africa, Qatar, Thailand, and China.
The Peace through Tourism Lectorate will
contribute to the educational and research
programs of CHN University, as well as to
the identity of the university by sharing
knowledge, promoting hope, and fostering
sustainable entrepreneurship; CHN is a nurturing and pluralistic
educational community in which both professors
and students with diverse ideological,
religious, and cultural backgrounds feel at home
and within which all are encouraged to
contribute to and bear responsibility for the
world in general and mankind in particular.
The City of Leeuwarden, the “Best Student City
of the Netherlands” – provides a supportive
setting to CHN University together with the
peaceful rural environment of Friesland. And the
Hague – a short distance away, is a unique
beacon of inspiration as an international “City
of Knowledge” and “City of Peace, Justice and
Security.”
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore, as
well as IIPT Australia Chapter President and
IIPT Chapter Coordinator, Daphne Lowe Kelley
were honored to be part of both the Tourism for
Peace Seminar and Installation Ceremony.
Commenting on the memorable events of the day,
Louis D’Amore said: “Both Daphne and I were most
impressed with the visionary leadership
of the university – and the entrepreneurial
spirit of both faculty and students. The
students we met were mature, out-going,
professional and full of enthusiasm – our
industry will be in good hands with these future
leaders. IIPT looks forward to
continued collaboration with CHN University in
building a culture of peace through tourism.”
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Nigeria Establishes
IIPT Chapter |
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Ms. Sandra Olufunmi Mafe
IIPT Nigeria Chapter |
Nigeria is the latest country to establish an IIPT Chapter. The Chapter
has been established through the leadership of Ms. Sandra Olufunmi Mafe,
who has worked in the public and private sector of the Nigeria tourist
industry for the past 26 years.
Sandra is founder and Managing Director of Tourism Integrated Marketing
Communications, a tours and events management company. She is a graduate
of Tourism Studies and has a Post Graduate degree in Public
Relations/Advertising.
Sandra is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations,
Federation of Tourism
Associations of Nigeria and Lioness Club International. A Masterlife
Discipleship |
Programme supervisor of the Nigerian Baptist Convention; her avocation
is attending choir rehearsals thrice weekly for church and state. Sandra
is married with two children currently studying at universities in
England and Ghana.
Sandra began working towards IIPT Nigeria in November, 2006 by creating
awareness to the aims and visions of IIPT and working towards membership
development. IIPT NIGERIA currently comprises 30 core members from which
“arrowheads” have been elected for various Committees.
With support from organizations, government agencies and individuals,
the IIPT Nigeria Chapter was able to facilitate the participation of a
Nigerian delegation to the recently held 4th IIPT African Conference in
Kampala, Uganda, under the Patronage of President Museveni. Dr. Munzali
Dantata, Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and
Tourism, led the delegation representing the Nigerian Chapter with other Chapter
members.
IIPT Nigeria is presently working on the establishment of an IIPT Peace
Park in Nigeria and collaborative intervention in the Niger Delta
region. |
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Show
Your Support with One Earth One Family
IIPT Plaques and Gift Cards
Created exclusively for IIPT, both items
display the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler
and Art Piece by R. Padre Johnson.
The Credo of the Peaceful Traveler puts
forth an ethical travel philosophy for travelers to abide by. The IIPT
Credo of the Peaceful Traveler was the inspiration of a very special person at
the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism - A Vital Force for Peace, Vancouver
1988. We have respected the author's request to remain annonymous. The IIPT
Credo has since spread across the travel and tourism industry worldwide. |
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The One Earth One Family art piece
by R. Padre
Johnson provides a view of our incredible earth from outer space, surrounded by the open
faces of 25 children and adults from different cultures. Each portrait represents an important visual statement
about the unique and interesting facial difference in each individual, the
culture and ethnicity each represents, and the limitless threads of common
humanity that draws all citizens of our planet more closely together as one
inter-dependent family.
These items will remind all who see or
receive them of what a privilege it is to travel freely throughout the world and
the opportunity they have as they travel to be ambassadors of international
understanding, good will and peace. These items will be admired and appreciated
by everyone who sees them in your office, place of business or home.
Costs are $200 (US) plus shipping for an Acrylic
Plaque, and $15 (US) plus shipping for a Gift Card pack of 10 Cards and Envelopes.
To order online or by fax/mail, please visit our
website.
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About IIPT
The International Institute for
Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a not for profit organization dedicated to
fostering travel and tourism initiatives that contribute to international
understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the
preservation of heritage, and poverty reduction; and through these
initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world.
It is founded on a vision of the world’s largest industry, travel and
tourism – becoming the world’s first global peace industry; and the belief
that every traveler is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace.”
For more information:
IIPT Website:
www.iipt.org
Tel: (802) 253-2658
Fax: (802) 253-2645
Email:
info@iipt.org
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