July 2010 Issue

IIPT Bids Farewell to Mira Berman:
Recipient of IIPT’s 1st Lifetime Achievement Award

It is with profound sadness that IIPT learned of the passing of Mira Berman on June 29, 2010. Mira, Founder and President of the Bradford Group and Executive Director of the Africa Travel Association from 1990 to 2006 was an inspiration to all who knew her.

Under Mira’s leadership and guidance, the Africa Travel Association – through its conferences and communications– particularly the Africa Travel Magazine and Website, gradually balanced the negative images of Africa portrayed in the main stream media with positive images of diverse and vibrant cultures, magnificent landscapes with abundant and diverse wildlife, and a friendly, welcoming hospitable people as witnessed these past weeks by all who have watched the World Soccer matches. Mira’s vision and leadership has been a major contributing factor in the dramatic growth of international tourism to Africa over the past 20 years – and for several of the last ten years, the world’s leading region for growth in international tourism.  In the words of Africa Travel Magazine Editor Jerry Bird:  “Mira Berman will be best loved and best known for her outstanding success in “Bringing the World to Africa - and Africa to the World.”

Mira’s direct involvement with IIPT began with the organization and marketing of the 1st IIPT Global Summit, where Mira and the Bradford Group were a key partner, together with title sponsor American Express and our host, the Jordan Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Our close and fruitful relationship continued since then for the rest of the decade with IIPT annual events at World Travel Market, two additional Summits, four African Conferences, and the ‘birthing’ of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail. We were most honored to recognize Mira’s many contributions to a Peaceful and Sustainable World with our 1st IIPT Lifetime Achievement Award presented at our 4th IIPT African Conference, Kampala, Uganda, 1997.

Photo (above): Mira with Uganda President Museveni at his cattle ranch, following a helicopter trip from Kampala by Mira Berman, Jerry W. Bird and Muguette Goufrani. 2004.

In presenting the award, IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore said “It is my great honor to have known and worked with Mira for the past 15 years, and to present this first IIPT Lifetime Achievement Award to Mira Berman – who devoted the prime years of her illustrious career to promoting the magnificent lands, cultures and peoples of Africa to the world, and building an organization that will continue nurturing the growth of sustainable tourism development on the African continent.” 

Photo (above) Hon. Dino Chingungi, former Tourism Minister, Angola, Louis D' Amore, Founder International Institure for Peace Through Tourism; Mira Berman.

“Mira's loss will leave a big vacuum in our professional and personal lives. We know that Mira will be remembered by all those whose lives she has touched for her passion and love for Africa and its people and her commitment to pushing an agenda of increasing tourism and investment to the continent in a sustainable and meaningful way.” Karen Hoffman, President, The Bradford Group.

“As the Executive Director of ATA for sixteen years, Mira was instrumental in building the foundation for our organization, committing her time, passion, resources and energy to ATA. Mira devoted her life to making the world a better place and will be remembered as one of the amazing women of our times.” Eddie Bergman, Executive Director, Africa Travel Association.

Mira miraculously escaped the holocaust in the 1940s reaching the United States with her mother and sister to begin a new life in New York City. She was a child prodigy violinist, writer, author – and soon to be marketing and public relations expert. Mira was active on many fronts, serving as Executive Director of The Academy of Tourism Organizations (ATO) and its NOAH Awards Luncheon; Executive Director for the Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped (SATH) and its Travelers With Disabilities Awareness Week; Vice Chair, Organizing Committee for the 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner of the United Nations, and the Executive Committee of the Celebrity Gala Ball to benefit the United Negro College Fund.

Photo (above) Hon. Zakia Hamdani Meghji, former ATA President and Tourism Minister, Tanzania (left), President Mwanawasa of Zambia (center) and Mira Berman (right).

Her remarkable achievements have been acknowledged with awards that include Advertising Woman of the Year; The International Film and TV Festival's Television's Gold Medal and Grand Award; Tanzania Tourism’s Outstanding Leadership Award; and the International Institute for Peace through Tourism Lifetime Achievement Award.
Photo (above): Mira Berman being interviewed by Sandy Dhuyvetter, Travel Talk Media

   The Gulf Experience - Emirates and Oman
A World Peace Tour

This is the essential Arabian Gulf experience…combining two of the most spectacular cities of the modern world—Dubai and Abu Dhabi—along with the mystical timelessness of Oman.  The tour will be personally led by Donald King, Ambassador at Large for IIPT, and his wife Lynne, who have more than 10 years experience in the Arabian Gulf.

Experience the courtesy and hospitality that has been a tradition for centuries in a perfect winter climate as you visit the world’s ta
llest building and tallest hotel, ancient castles and forts, and one of the world’s largestMosques. Shop in luxury malls and traditional Arab souqs - and the pottery capital of Oman. Enjoy a dhow dinner cruise as you overlook the evening city scape of one of the world’s most modern cities.
Donald & Lynne in a wadi in Oman

You will experience both the traditional and modern life of the Emirates and Oman as well as magnificent beaches, green turtles nesting, the deep gorges and crystal clear pools of Wadi Shaab and Wadi Bani Khalid - the lost Shangri-la; and the Wahiba Sands, a vast undulating sea of sands where you will be able to indulge in dune bashing, sand surfing or an optional camel ride. After a BBQ dinner, enjoy the night under the stars or in the huts at the desert camp.

11 Days/9 nights
20 meals
$2580 per person double occupancy.  $600 single supplement.
Airfare and insurance are not included

Departure: January 21, 2011. 

For more information, and daily itinerary, please click here.

Friends of Peace:

A  World Peace Tour to The Himalayan
Kingdom of Bhutan
October 1 - 12, 2010

Bhutan, a Himalayan jewel, is tucked among some of the world’s highest mountains. With a diverse, protected and astonishingly beautiful environment, its inner presence is built upon a remarkable model of kindness, compassion and peace.  This tour offers a unique chance to experience  the friendship and good humor of Bhutan’s warm-hearted  people and offer a lasting gift to the Bhutanese community

Please join IIPT, Sacred Himalaya Travel, and Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu (VAST) for the 2nd IIPT World Peace Tour in Bhutan. At the heart of  Friends of Peace is a special opportunity  to spend 3 days with Bhutanese students from Thimphu’s Voluntary Artists Studio  and together renovate an ancient chorten (Buddhist Stupa)  As we work we’ll  share  stories, laughter and energy as we reconstruct this ancient sacred structure. Together we’ll contribute a lasting gift for Bhutanese people in the spirit of peace.

When Bhutanese   pass a chorten they circle it clockwise, in respect and with prayers. In Tibetan Buddhist belief , prayers that are thought, or voiced , wish for the happiness, benefit and peace of all sentient beings. So our project and the lasting gift of our collaborative energy will leave something permanent and special behind in Bhutan.. as it  continues to send prayers for peace  forever after beyond Bhutan's borders out into the world..

On our 12 day tour we’ll also explore the mystery, beauty and culture of Bhutan, as we tour high passes, ancient fortress/Dzongs and come in touch with daily life.  We hope that you’ll carry this gentle kingdom in your heart and that it may bring peace to you and others on your return home. 

For more information, costs and detailed itinerary  please click here.

VAST Students

Asha Kama, VAST Director

Tshetem Norbu, Wendy Erd, Sacred Himalaya Travel

About Sacred Himalaya Travel

Sacred Himalaya Travel, locally owned and operated in Bhutan, SHT is one of Bhutan’s registered Travel Operators and is a member of IIPT.  We are a small team, dedicated to our work, with a deep appreciation and knowledge of our country, its cultural and spiritual heritage, traditions and natural beauty.  We open our doors and hearts to receive our guests as family and friends

About Voluntary Artists Studio Thimphu  (VAST )
VAST was set up in 1998 by a group of professional artists as a non profitable and non governmental organization.  VAST organizes special Art Workshops, Camps, Talks, Exhibitions, Weekend Classes and Design and implement projects to promote culture, health, environment and extracurricular activities throughout the year to provide opportunities to school children to participate and develop their life skills, confidence, talents through interaction and participation of learning art in experiential ways.      

Peace Caravan Partnership with IIPT Continues

Its an exciting time as Marla Mossman and her Peace Caravan project embarks on a forty day journey along the ancient Silk Road in China. Following the land routes taken by monks, merchants and missionaries from the 2nd century when Buddhism and later Islam were first introduced to China. This continues her multi-year project to travel from Jerusalem, Israel to X’ian, China by car, foot, horse, mule and camel to document places of historical and religious significance along the early caravan trails. Marla’s solo journey explores the Silk Road connections to Buddhism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Islam.
Lamayuru Monastery, Western Ladakh , India 

Marla’s itinerary begins in Beijing photographing the historical hutongs – Mongolian word meaning passageway.  From there she travels to the ancient capital X’ian; through the Hexi Corridor to Jiayuguan to photograph the sun setting behind the western edge of the Great Wall. A one day drive further west she reaches the Mogao Caves, also known as the Caves of the Thousand Buddhas begun in 366 AD near Dunhuang, at the edge of the Gobi Desert. Then its on to the ancient town of Jiaohe, near Turphan which is believed to be one of the oldest, preserved earth-structured city in the world. From there Marla crosses the torrid Taklamakan Desert on camel before continuing to the carpet weaving centers of Hotan and Kashgar where the best silks have been woven into carpets for 2,000 years.

Along the way, Marla plans to meet with Community Officials with a view to dedicating IIPT Peace Parks at significant junctures along the ancient trade route. Thus, continuing an initiative that began in 2007 when Marla similarly partnered with IIPT, as an emissary for the IIPT International Peace Parks program, on her journey through the Middle East countries of Turkey, Syria, Jordan and Israel. 
 
This is the fifth leg of the Peace Caravan. Previous journeys were to India, Turkey, Afghanistan and the Middle East countries of Syria, Jordan and Israel.

Today’s precarious political situations exist in many of the Silk Road nations. There is an urgent need and awareness from people around the world for openness and cultural exchange to help gain the mutual respect and cooperation necessary for world peace. Marla is optimistic that by sharing photographs and stories from her travels that readers will find a new appreciation for the religious and cultural heritage of these nations and that a new way to peace will reveal itself.

Marla’s photos capture the people going about their daily lives to remind us that even though we have differences, we share similar loves, fears, hopes and dreams. Her writings and photos capture the intimate moments she experiences with people along the way as she strives to inform and inspire others to achieve understanding and acceptance of the people living along the Silk Road.

In 2005, Marla was the first foreigner, and woman, to visit Waras; a remote part of Central Afghanistan. In an earlier trip to Northern India, Mossman hiked and backpacked to an altitude of 18,000 ft in the Himalayas, to obtain her photos.
 
To learn more about Marla Mossman and the Peace Caravan visit the website at www.peacecaravan.com. The Peace Caravan project is a sponsored project of the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA).

Father at the Caravanseri Harran, Southern Turkey, Donkey, Jark, Waras  District, Afghanistan, Bedouin woman,  desert near Palmyra, Syria

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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