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IIPT to Commemorate 25th Anniversary at ITB Friday, 7th of March 2014, 13:00 to 14:00
The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) will proudly commemorate the 25th anniversary of its First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace at ITB, Berlin Friday, 7th of March 2014, 13:00 to 14:00.
The First IIPT Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace was a milestone event for the Travel and tourism industry – first introducing the concept of Sustainable Tourism - four years prior to the Rio Summit - and as well a new paradigm of “Tourism for a Higher Purpose” that includes the key role of travel and tourism in: - Collaboration among nations - Protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity - Enhancing cultures and valuing heritage - Sustainable development for all - Poverty reduction and - Reconciliation and healing wounds of conflict
The event will pay tribute to 10 “Peace Makers” of the past 100 years; highlight achievements of the Peace through Tourism Movement over the past 25 years and present planned “legacy projects” of the 25th anniversary year.
Confirmed Speakers include: Geoffrey Lipman, President, International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP); Karine Coulanges, President, Skal International;Ivy Chee, Regional Director - East Asia, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); Senior Executive from UN World Tourism Organization, to be announced; Senior Executive from Visit Flanders, to be announced.
As well. Award winning singer-song writer Alston Koch will perform for the first time his original “Peace Song.”
The event will highlight achievements of the Peace through Tourism Movement over the past 25 years and present planned “legacy projects” of the 25th anniversary year.
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D'Amore said “IIPT is most pleased to have this opportunity to welcome leaders of the travel and tourism industry to our 25th anniversary event. 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. We look forward to seeing you at ITB.” |
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IIPT Welcomes Mok Singh as latest
After receiving a degree in Travel Administration and Management, Mok began his career in the travel profession (World Travel Services); and later worked for Wilson Travels, where he met Roger Mahal, a friendship that would flower into a successful business collaboration. By 1981, Mok went into business for himself and invited his longtime friend, Roger, to join him in establishing Travel Promotions Inc. and a year later acquired SITA International, merging it with their newly established company, to form SITA World Tours.
By the mid-80’s, Mok set up an Airlines Division within SITA which today represents eleven clients, including Garuda Indonesia, Indian Airlines, Air Madagascar, Air Zimbabwe, Air Botswana, Kenya Airways, Lithuanian Airlines, Royal Nepal Airlines, Bangkok Airways, Daallo Airlines, and Mongolian Airlines. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SITA’s Airlines Division also operates out of offices in Houston, Chicago, New York, Vancouver, and Toronto. Mok also aided the entry of his clients into computerized global distribution systems, such as Worldspan and Sabre, enabling them to gain exposure on a global level. What is most important to Mok, however, is not the amount of clients or offices SITA boasts, it is the family environment it has fostered over the years.
In addition to his role as President of SITA, Mok has served for several years as an officer of SKAL International and this past year was President of Skal International. It was during Mok’s term as President that IIPT and Skal International entered into a partnership and are currently active in several joint projects including the IIPT/Skal Peace Town initiative and IIPT/Skal Executive Ambassador Program.
Mok Singh stated, “Thank you for this great invitation and even greater honor. I am delighted to be a part of this laudable effort.” |
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International Handbook on Tourism and Peace launched by UNWTO and the Government of Austria Providing a unique overview of tourism as a tool in peace building and reconciliation efforts, the International Handbook on Tourism and Peace was launched with the support of the Ministry of Economy, Family and Youth and the Ministry of European and International Affairs of Austria (Vienna, Austria, 29 January 2014).
The editors of the book, Cordula Wohlmuther and Werner Wintersteiner argue that there are different approaches to the complex topic of “tourism and peace” and that the handbook provides a good overview on this .Based on this diversity they conclude that aspects of “peace sensitive” tourism can be carved out and used by various tourism stakeholders and tourists, as well as international and development organizations.
The number of experts contributing both case studies and theoretical approaches makes the Handbook a unique and powerful contribution to the overall discussion about new pathways to peace. Published by the Centre for Peace Research and Peace Education of the Klagenfurt University (Austria), in cooperation with UNWTO, within the framework of their joint ‘Tourism and Peace’ project, this publication aims to make a substantial academic contribution, while providing also relevant insights for the broader public in presenting tourism as a powerful tool within the international peace building agenda.
On the occasion of the launch, UNWTO Secretary Taleb Rifai stated that “the fundamental experience of tourism – visiting a new place and meeting its people and culture - is a transformative aspect that defines tourism’s role as an agent of peace. In this age of travel, I trust that this Handbook will help enhance our understanding of the subject and open up further possibilities to foster tourism as a valuable instrument for peace.”
Ms. Elisabeth Udolf-Strobl, Director General of the Austrian Ministry of Economy, which supported the project from the beginning, said: "I am very pleased that an Austrian University is carrying out this project in cooperation with the World Tourism Organization. This proves the internationally recognized competence of Austria in tourism and in the field of peace research."
Ambassador Eichtinger from the Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs praised tourism for its role in intercultural dialogue and exchanges. Quoting the author Mark Twain, he said: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” |
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Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism Publication Now Available
You can order directly from the publisher at: http://www.c-s-p.org/Flyers/5th-IIPT-African-Conference-on-Peace-through-Tourism1-4438-4893-X.htm |
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Your Support for IIPT 25th Anniversary Legacy Projects Appreciated
IIPT will be commemorating the twenty-fifth Anniversary of its First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace throughout 2014. Your support for our 25th Anniversary Legacy Projects would be greatly appreciated. Contributions from U.S. Citizens are tax deductible. Your checks payable to IIPT can be sent to: Louis D’Amore IIPT 685 Cottage Club Road #13 Stowe, VT 05672 Your generous support in any amount for our efforts towards “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism is very much appreciated.
The First Global Conference held in Vancouver brought together 800 delegates from 67 countries with video-taped messages from Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan featured in the Opening Ceremony. Honorary Chairman of the Conference was H.E. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, President of Iceland – the first elected woman Head of State in the world.
The Vancouver Conference was a milestone event for the travel and tourism industry introducing for the first time the concept of ‘Sustainable Tourism Development’ – four years prior to the Rio Summit. The Conference also introduced an new paradigm of tourism, “A Higher Purpose of Tourism” paradigm that includes the key role of travel and tourism in promoting international understanding; collaboration among nations; protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity; enhancing cultures and valuing heritage; sustainable development for all; poverty reduction and reconciliation and healing wounds of conflict. Legacy Projects Legacy Projects for our 25th Anniversary year include: - A goal of 500 cities, towns and villages in countries around the world dedicating themselves to peace. The project is being implemented in partnership with Skal International, the world’s largest organization of travel industry executives with 18,000 members in 450 cities in 85 countries. - Peace Tours to Morocco and Iran. - Consortium of Collaborating Universities encouraging research in “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.” - Executive Ambassador Program with retired Skal International members contributing their skills pro bono to developing countries. - Support for a Skal Red Sea Chapter Conference bringing together industry leaders from Jordan, Israel, Egypt and Palestine. Other initiatives to be announced during the year. Your kind and generous support is very much appreciated.    Photos above (left to right): IIPT Peace Park dedication in Pattaya as the city is declared a "City of Peace", Unity Peace Park Richmond Hill Ontario, Canada, IIPT President Louis D'Amore planting the first peace tree at Uganda Martyr's Trail Peace Park. |
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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: |
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Ms. Sandy Dhuyvetter, Executive Producer and Host, TravelTalkRADIO, BusinessTravelRADIO and TravelTalkTELEVISION will moderate the event. 
IIPT is most proud to welcome Mok Singh to its International Advisory Board. When Mok Singh first came to the United States from India as an English Literature major and Economics minor, little did he imagine that within twenty years he would become a leader and innovator in the international travel industry. 
In welcoming Mok Singh as a member of IIPT’s International Advisory Board, Dr. Noel Brown, Chairman of the Advisory Board stated, “We are most honored to have Mok Singh as a member of our International Advisory Board and look forward to his inspiring contribution to future initiatives as we continue our collaborative relationship with him.”
The 
Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism: Case Studies of Best Practice is now available from Cambridge Scholars Publishers. The Publication is based on papers presented at the 5th IIPT African Conference in Lusaka, Zambia and selected other contributors. It is an indispensable source of insights and models of best practice relating to the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change by various sectors of the industry.