January 2016 Edition

IIPT President Named as one of 20 White Leaders Who have Championed Black History and Cultural Heritage

African Diaspora Tourism has named IIPT Founder and President, Dr. Louis D’Amore as one of  20 white leaders from around the globe who have contributed significantly to Black history and cultural heritage.

In making the announcement, Kitty Pope, Publisher of Africa Diaspora Tourism and the Founder/Director and Executive Producer of the Africa Diaspora Tourism Awards said, “D’Amore continues his message of peace and embracing cultural diversity around the world. He has been instrumental in promoting the travel and tourism industry as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry.” Since its founding in 1986, IIPT has brought together global leaders from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, as well as the areas of culture, environment and development. In particular, D’Amore has held IIPT International Conferences regarding Africa to help develop more balanced and positive images of the land, culture and people of the continent.

IIPT has made recommendations on stimulating development to create employment, generating local incomes through niche markets based on community tourism, cultural tourism eco-tourism, agri-tourism, and volunteer tourism. D’Amore has also supported the African Diaspora Heritage Trails Conferences before and after inception. He has also supported African Diaspora Tourism and serves as an honorary chair for the African Diaspora World Tourism Awards.”

Other persons named among the 20 white leaders included:

David Allen – The late Bermuda Minister of Tourism. Hon. Allen reignited the fire to preserve, develop and promote black cultural and heritage trails around the world when he initiated the African Diaspora Heritage Trails Conference in 2001 that took place in Bermuda where governmental and private sector level officials from many countries in Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Europe attended. Allen was instrumental in developing the Bermuda African Diaspora Heritage Trail that includes many historic sites related to the Trans-African Slave trade. The Bermuda Tourism department has set up the David Allen Internship Program in his honor and a memorial plaque was erected on the island in his honor. (adht.bm)

Mira Bergman served as Executive Director of the African Travel Association (ATA) for more than 16 years and pioneered the development of inroads on travel to Africa. She not only inspired people to visit and explore, but also helped to promote positive perceptions about Africa. As Executive Director of ATA, she was committed to increasing tourism and investment to the continent in a sustainable and meaningful way. The founder and president of The Bradford Group, Bergman once served as President of SATH (Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handicapped), Executive Director of North American Travel Association and as Director of The National Council of Women of the USA. She also served on the Executive Committee of the Celebrity Gala Ball to benefit the United Negro College Fund. A woman of courage and tenacity, Bergman escaped the Holocaust with her mother and sister to begin a new life in New York City in the 1940’s. (AfricanTravelAssociation.com).

Minister Derek Hanekom – Hon Hanekom was a member of the National Executive Committee Member of African National Congress (ANC), where he provided the ANC with information about the apartheid defense force’s attempts to overthrow the Mozambican government that led to his arrest in 1983 and a prison term for both Hon. Hanekom and his wife along with Nelson Mandela. After their release, the couple spent the following three years in exile in Zimbabwe. Hanekom returned to South Africa after the unbanning of political organizations in 1990, and continued working with ANC at their headquarters. He was responsible for policy formulation on land and agricultural matters with ANC during the period of negotiations prior to the first democratic elections in 1994.  Hon, Hanekom later served in the Mandela administration as Minister of Agriculture and Land Affairs building South Africa as a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic nation. He currently serves as South Africa’s Tourism Minister (tourism.gov.za)

Minister Alain St. Ange - The Minister of Tourism for the African Islands Nation of Seychelles, Hon. St. Ange is a firm believer in preserving cultural heritage as an integral part of tourism. Hon. St. Ange has a strong belief in partnering and collaboration when it comes to promoting tourism. He has called on UNESCO to declare the slave ruins at the Seychelles Mission Lodge of Sans Soucis to be a World Heritage site. As minister of tourism, he has enhanced Seychelles Afrik Festival and Africa Day events that highlights and promotes African Cultural heritage. The Creator of the Seychelles International Carnival, the world's first carnival of nations promoting multiculturalism.  (AlainStAnge.com)

Cassie begins Caribbean leg of her Inspirational

Global Journey as IIPT Ambassador for Peace

Having already completed visits to more than 50 countries since the start of her global record setting journey this past July, Cassandra De Pecol (Cassie) has now begun the Caribbean/Central America leg of her journey as an Ambassador for Peace.

Cassie has set out to visit each of the world’s 196 sovereign nations in less than three years and three months thereby setting a Guinness World Record and as well becoming the first documented woman to travel to all 196 sovereign nations and the youngest person to do so.  

Visiting each nation as an Ambassador of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) and Skal International (the world’s largest organization of travel and tourism professionals), Cassie will be planting a tree and collecting water samples for an Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation project to then test for microplastics.

Skal International President, Nigel Pilkington has been arranging for Skal national Presidents to meet Cassie on arrival in their respective countries, and for them in turn to arrange meetings with Mayors and other community leaders and also for Cassie to address groups of college and high school students.

Cassie’s goal is to demonstrate that her generation can create positive, peaceful relations with all countries, in part through sustainable tourism, which brings cultures together and makes a positive impact on the environment, society and economy.

“Our generation, ‘The Millennia’s’, have a unique opportunity to change the world with the internet and instant communication which has no borders. We are all connected and my journey is showing that connection. Millennials can unite the world,” says 26-year-old Cassandra De Pecol,”

During her trip to Haiti this week, Cassie will meet with Father Joseph Simon, Founder/Director, Timkatec Schools (centre photo below) and Rachelle Marie-Line Fleurimond, Coordinator. The Patrick O'Shea and Mike Spinelli families, are Founders of the Friends of Timkatec whose support since 2005 Since 2005 has enabled Timkatec to change the lives of over 2500 young people in Haiti who previously had no hope of ever receiving an education. Timkatec consists of three schools, an orphanage and a shelter.Patrick O'Shea and Mike Spinelli in the picture on the right with children.http://www.timkatec.org/

Rachelle meeting Pope Francis

Timakatec Schools - A Haitian Success Story that must continue to grow

Find Cassie De Pecol at http://www.expedition196.com