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IIPT to be Featured in Debate at
World Travel Market
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H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Mr. Peter de Jong
PATA President and CEO
Robert Coggin
Vice Chairman, Travelport
Mr. Elhamy ElZayat, Chairman, Egyptian
Tourism Federation and Chairman & CEO
Mr. Alwin Zecha, Executive
Committee PATA, & Executive Chairman, Pacific Leisure
Group
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IIPT is proud to again bring a timely and important debate to
World Travel Market featuring H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji, Special
Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II, Jordan as Moderator and Mr.
Peter de Jong, PATA President and CEO, will frame the debate:
“Building Bridges of Understanding Between Civilizations,
Cultures and Religions: Does Tourism Have a Role?”
Three industry leaders taking part in the debate have
the breadth of experience and knowledge to provide an
over-arching global perspective to our theme: 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.
The debate will take place Opening Day, Monday, November
12, 2007, from
16.00 - 16.30, at the Conference Set, Platinum Suite 4,
Level 3.
In announcing this year’s debate, IIPT Founder and
President, Louis D’Amore said: “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. We are most
honored to bring this vital debate on the role of travel
and tourism in building these foundations to the global
forum of World Travel Market.”
World Travel Market is the premier event of the travel and
tourism industry. Staged annually in London, WTM provides a
unique opportunity for the entire travel industry to meet,
network, conduct business and stay abreast of the latest
developments. A record breaking 46,945 travel industry
professionals participated in WTM 2006 representing 202
countries and regions.
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“Building Bridges of Understanding between
Civilizations, Cultures and Religions:
Does Tourism Have a Role?”
Monday, November 12, 2007
16:00 - 16:30, Platinum Suite 4 - Level 3, London |
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Mayor Scarrow planting a tree
Mair Peace Park, Prince Albert, SK |
Municipal staff at Re-dedication
ceremony
Port Moody, BC |
Mayor Sandler planting a tree
Biggar Peace Park, SK |
Marine Peace Park
Salmon Arm, BC |
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‘Peace Parks Across Canada’
Commemorates 15th Anniversary |
Cities and towns across Canada re-dedicated
parks to peace at noon local time October 9th
commemorating the 15th Anniversary of their
original dedication as part of Canada 125
Celebrations in 1992.
Fifteen Years ago as Canada celebrated its 125th
Birthday, some 400 cities and towns across
Canada dedicated a Park to Peace – with most
parks dedicated at Noon local time, October 8th,
as the National Peacekeeping Monument was being
unveiled in Ottawa. Each of the original Peace
Parks incorporated a ‘Bosco Sacro’ (Peace Grove)
of 12 trees as a symbolic link with one another,
and with nature - and as a symbol of hope for
the future. The 12 trees were also symbolic of
Canada’s 10 Provinces and two Territories.
As there are now three Territories, a 13th tree
was planted as part of the “Re-dedication
Ceremonies.”
In more than 25,000 creative grass roots
initiatives, Canadians everywhere harnessed the
occasion of Canada 125 in 1992 to express their
enormous and completely justified pride for
their nation - which that year was officially
designated by the United Nation as the number
one nation in the world to live in. The
re-dedication of Canada’s Peace Parks served as
a reminder of the common commitment of Canadians
to peace and understanding at home and
throughout the world.
“Peace Parks Across Canada” was conceived and
implemented by IIPT and has served as the
foundation in launching the “IIPT Global Peace
Parks Program” on the 11th hour, of the 11th
day, of the 11th month, 2000 – the first year of
the new Millennium - from Bethany Beyond the
Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism.The Program
continues as a living legacy of the 1st Global
Summit on Peace through Tourism, November 8-11,
2000 hosted by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
His Majesty King Abdullah II was Patron of the
Summit which – like the Global Peace Park
Program - was in support of the UN Decade of
Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the
World.
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The IIPT Global Peace Parks
Program is being spearheaded by Richard Kuegeman
of Atlanta, Georgia. Richard (Dick) Kuegeman. As
Executive Director (pro bono) of the IIPT Global
Peace Parks Program, Dick will strive to reach
our goal of 2010 Peace Parks circling the earth
by 2010, as a living legacy of the U.N. Decade
of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of
the World (2000 – 2010).
Notable among the IIPT Peace Parks dedicated to
date in addition to that at ‘Bethany beyond the
Jordan” are IIPT Peace Parks at Pearl Harbor,
Honolulu, Hawaii; the Dag Hammarkskjold Memorial
Site, Ndola Zambia (site of UN Secretary Dag |
Richard Kuegeman
IIPT Peace Parks Program |
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Hammarskjold’s plane crash while on a peace
mission to the Congo in 1961); Waterton Glacier
International Peace Park (the world’s first
international peace park); Bagamoyo, Tanzania,
(a UNESCO Heritage Site which served as a center
of the slave trade for Eastern Africa); Victoria
Falls, Zambia (one of the seven natural wonders
of the world); Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada;
and Namugongo on the Uganda Martyr’s Trail, a
World Heritage site.
The IIPT Global Peace Parks Program involves the
travel Community, local business, service clubs,
schools and the general public in promoting
cultural understanding and a “Culture of Peace”
in local neighborhoods, towns and cities
throughout the world.
Cities and towns wishing to become part of the
IIPT Global Peace Parks Program by dedicating a
park to peace are invited to contact IIPT at:
peaceparks@iipt.org.
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Mair Peace Park
Prince Albert, SK |
Cenotaph at Jubilee Peace Park
Grande Prairie, BC |
Unity Peace Park
Richmond Hill, ON |
Marine Peace Park
Salmon Arm, BC |
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Peace Caravan Project Aims to
Promote International Cooperation on the Silk Road
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As an artist, photographer, and the founder of a non-profit, Marla
Mossman’s dream is to promote peace through international cooperation,
cultural awareness, and educational outreach. Her endeavor, the Peace
Caravan Project, is the journey of one woman from Jerusalem to China
along the Silk Road, documenting places of historical and religious
significance mentioned in the Bible, Torah, Koran, and Vedas.
The Peace Caravan Project will result in photographs illustrating the
"Culture of Peace" in regions along the Silk Road. These will include
images of children, women, and men engaged in traditional ways of life
that promote cooperation, solidarity, hope, commitment to change and
improvement of their lives as well as the lives of others, thereby
reminding us that despite our differences we share similar love, hopes,
and dreams.
Marla's vision is that through The Peace Caravan Project, a new way to
peace will reveal itself by shedding light on the wonderful religious
and cultural heritage of the people along the Silk Road - a way to peace
based on the principles of cooperation, exchange of cultural values,
shared environmental awareness, and the equality of all people including
woman and children.
While on her journey, Marla will seek to leave a legacy of IIPT Peace
Parks in each of the cities and towns along the way.
The Peace Caravan: Journey along the Silk Road begins the first leg from
Istanbul, Turkey to Jerusalem, Israel in early November 2007 with
estimated completion date mid-January 2008. The second leg of the
journey from Central Asia to China is projected to start in early spring
2008.
Marla's website can be viewed at
www.peacecaravan.com for further details and a selected
gallery of images. Marla Mossman can be contacted at
marla@peacecaravan.com.
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IIPT President, Louis D'Amore presenting award to Dr.
Tran Trong Kien, Founder and CEO of Buffalo Tours |
Louis D'Amore talking about IIPT and
introducing Dr. Trang |
Klara Glowczewska, Conde Nast Editor in Chief, Dr. Trang
and Louis D'Amore |
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Condé Nast World Savers Awards Honor
Companies Making a Difference
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With US $7 trillion in revenues expected this year, the travel industry
is an economic engine with the power to change the world. Just imagine
if every travel company decided to go green, to support local schools,
and to invest in clean water, what a difference they could make.
In an effort to encourage the industry to expand social responsibility
programs on a local and global scale, Condé Nast Traveler has recognized
those who are already making a difference with the 2007 World Savers
Awards Congress earlier this month in Gotham Hall, New York. Highlighted
in the September 2007 issue, the World Savers Awards were given to
hotels, tour operators, and destinations that have made a commitment to
contribute to the local communities and preserve the environments around
them. They help bring clean water, medicine, education, and jobs to
impoverished people. They help maintain cultural and natural treasures.
They protect the other species with whom we share this planet. Companies
honored at this year’s awards included:
- Chain Hotels & Resorts: Marriott
- Small Hotels & Resorts: Jungle Bay Resort and Spa, Dominica
- Destinations: Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, South Africa
- Tour Operators: Buffalo Tours, Southeast Asia
IIPT Founder and President Louis D'Amore was honored to present the Tour
Operators Award to Tran Trong Kien, CEO of Buffalo Tours. Tran Trong
Kien trained as a doctor before he launched Buffalo Tours to serve
Vietnam's emerging tourism industry. But he didn't leave behind his
concern for public health. Thirteen years later, his company—which
brings 16,000 travelers to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos annually—has
virtually adopted the 43 children of Hanoi's Binh Luc Orphanage, where
it sponsors a nutritional program. Buffalo Tours also funds a rehab
center for victims of Agent Orange, and hosts doctors who treat patients
in the Mai Chau Valley, where the company has built wells and waste
systems for ethnic-minority villages.
The World Savers Congress included keynote speakers like former UN
Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Bill Drayton of Ashoka Foundation and
CEOs of many of the major travel companies were in attendance including
Marriott, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Crystal Cruises, Regent,
and others.
More information on the Conde Nast World Savers Awards is available in
the September issue of Conde Nast Traveler.
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IIPT
Supports
WTM World Responsible Tourism Day
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WTM World Responsible Tourism Day supported by the UNWTO on Wednesday
14th November 2007, is the first opportunity for travel and tourism to
become one powerful and unifying force. A chance to make a real
difference that will keep our beaches clean, preserve our stunning
scenery, save wildlife and glory in our historic buildings and precious
heritage.
There is a responsibility too to help local people wherever they might
be, provide them with shelter, jobs, clean water, food and education.
Protect them from exploitation, corruption and deceit.
Making the difference personally and corporately is what World Travel
Market’s World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD) is all about. |
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The time has come when everyone in the international travel and tourism
industry must come together to play a vital part in making a real
difference to people's lives - and to improve the contribution of
tourism to the future of our world. WTM's World Responsible Tourism Day
is a signal to the world that responsible tourism must now be top of the
agenda and follows in the successful path of WTO's World Tourism Day,
now an established date in the UN calendar.
Participate in this international movement now by completing the
questionnaire and telling us what you are doing.
Click here.
WTM is seeking inspiring responsible tourism case histories to use on
this dedicated website, already attracting millions of readers. The
information may also be used within three dedicated WTM WRTD
newsletters, distributed throughout the year to more travel and tourism
industry professionals worldwide as well as potentially featured at WTM
on the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day itself. WTM can also supply a
link to use the WTM WRTD film to capture the imagination of your
colleagues at meetings, presentations and conferences.
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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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