October 2013

IIPT to Commemorate 25th Anniversary at World Travel Market

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) will proudly commemorate the 25th anniversary since its First Global Conference in support of the “Great War” Centenary with its theme of “No More War.” The commemorative event will be at:

World Travel Market’s Platinum Suite stage

Tuesday, 5 November from 14.00 – 15.00.

A central theme emerging from the successful UNWTO 20th General Assembly recently held in Zambia and Zimbabwe was the important role of travel and tourism as a vehicle for peace. Indeed, the headline on one of Zambia’s major newspapers following the Opening Day read: “Use Tourism to Promote Peace.”

During the Assembly, UNWTO Secretary-General Dr Taleb Rifai emphasized the links between tourism and the promotion of cultural understanding, “Travel has become an essential aspect of life,” he said. “There can be no real peace without us respecting, understanding and appreciating each other and celebrating our diversity. You can never hold any resentment against the people of any country you have visited.”

Key leaders of the travel and tourism industry will share their perspectives on “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism” on the WTM Platinum Stage November 5th in support of the World War I Centenary theme: “No More War.”  Confirmed speakers include: Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UNWTO Secretary General; David Scowsill, President, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); Mok Singh, Immediate Past President, Skal International; Geoffrey Lipman, President, International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP); and Martin Craigs, President, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Also invited is a senior representative of the Government of Flanders.

Dr. Taleb Rifai

David Scowsill

Mok Singh

Geoffrey Lipman

Martin Craig

IIPT Founder and President said, “As one of the world’s largest and fastest growing industries, the collective voice of travel and tourism leaders can be a powerful force for peace and justice in the 21st century – and without peace, there is no tourism.”

Co-moderators of the event will be H.E. Akel Biltaji, Mayor of Amman, Jordan and IIPT Ambassador at Large; and Fiona Jeffery OBE - Former Chairman, World Travel Market and Founder and Chairman, Just a Drop.

H.E. Akel Biltaj

Fiona Jeffery OBE

The 25th Anniversary commemorative event will also honor ten members of the travel and tourism industry who have made a significant contribution to promoting a “Culture of Peace through Tourism.”

Croatia marks IIPT 25th anniversary with
25 City Bike Tour and
Book Boat of Culture Cruise

IIPT Croatia commemorated the 25th anniversary of IIPT with a 25 city bike tour and the sailing of BookBoat – Boat of Culture under the IIPT flag. The Boat of Culture is IIPT’s Ambassador for Cultural Tourism and Peace.

The 25 city bike tour was completed by Friend of IIPT Croatia Dr. Tomislav Plukavec, Secretary of the Department of Culture of the Zagreb Archdiocese and Diocesan Museum curator.  His “Cycle for Peace” covered 1,650 km from Zabreb via Ancona and Venice to the Croatian Adriatic coast and countryside on to the Book Boat in Sv. Fillip i Jakov.

The cycling journey of Dr. Plukavec through 25 cities in Italy and Croatia, promoted the IIPT/Skal Peace Towns and Villages project launched earlier this year.  The journey began on 13 July and continued through to the departure day of the Book Boat in Sv. Filip i Jakov, where he was greeted and escorted by local cyclists from Sv. Filip i Jakov on the final leg of the journey through their little town.

Workshop - musical instruments from recycled materials

"We are very pleased that part of the objectives of the Institute are reflected in this year's rich program of the Book Boat as a result of our co-operation for the past year in the form of a theatre piece for children named the‘Recycled Story’; a creative writing workshop with environmental themes; and a workshop for recycled instruments. It is with programs such as these, among other things, that the Book Boat justifies the title IIPT Ambassador for Cultural Tourism and Peace" said Sneshka Richter, President and Founder of IIPT Croatia, who again joined this year’s journey of the Book Boat along the Croatian Coast.

Dr. Plukavec commented on his journey:”Cycling is my passion and supporting a good cause has made it even more worthwhile. This year was a trial run and there was a really positive response along the journey. I am sure we will do even better next year.”

Sneshka Richter commented further that “We received many words of support from Croatia and from abroad, including the Director of FE Lindjo, Dubravka Saric; Journalist and Author Sana Butler; President of the not for profit organization Sibenik City of Children, Marijan Skroza, and many others.”

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore said, “With these highly publicized events, IIPT Croatia has made a significant contribution to our mission of building a ‘Culture of Peace through Tourism’ and heightened awareness in South Eastern Europe regarding the vital role of tourism in promoting a culture of Peace and understanding. We look forward to even greater achievements in the years ahead.”

Workshop - Recycled Instruments

IIPT South Asia Panel at
World Travel Market

An IIPT South Asia industry leaders panel will be a featured seminar at World Travel Market:

Wednesday, 6 November from14:00 to 15:00.

Theme of the session is

Building Bridges of Collaboration for Sustainable Tourism Development in South Asia

The World Travel and Tourism Council projects that South Asia will have the strongest growth in Travel & Tourism’s direct contribution to GDP in the coming years with a growth rate of 6.7%. Their ten year outlook is that South Asia will outperform all other world sub-regions with a 7.2% growth rate driven by increasing wealth in the middle classes.

The UN World Tourism Organization projects that the Asia Pacific Region will have the largest increase in inbound tourism through to 2030 with an increase of 330 million international arrivals reaching a total of 535 million international arrivals by 2030 and a 30% global market share – the only region with an increasing market share through to 2030.

This session will bring together key industry leaders from South Asia to explore opportunities for collaborative strategies towards sustainable tourism development that will maximize tourism’s social and economic benefits to local communities; protect and enhance the environment; mitigate and adapt to climate change; and nurture the potential for tourism, culture, and sport in promoting a “Culture of Peace” and friendship throughout the region.