Montreal Summit to be Official Conference of UN

International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development

IIPT is very proud to announce that the Montreal Summit, September 17 to 21, 2017 will be an official Conference of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The Summit is being co-organized by the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) with the theme:

          Global Summit: Sustainable Tourism for Development and Peace

                   Montreal, Canada September 17 – 21, 2017

Both UNWTO and IIPT are proud to return to the City, Province and Nation that hosted the first major international Conference on Sustainable Tourism in 1994, the IIPT Global Conference: Building a Sustainable World through Tourism – particularly as 2017 is the 150th Birthday of Canada, 375th birthday of Montreal and as IIPT commemorates its 30th Anniversary year by returning to the place of its birth.

Dr. Taleb Rifai will again be with us to deliver a key note address in the Opening Ceremony. The Summit will feature keynote addresses  by world leaders and leaders of the travel and tourism industry.

A series of concurrent sessions will also be held with leading professionals and practitioners presenting “Success Stories” and “Models of Best Practice” regarding sustainable tourism development  and the role of tourism, culture and sport in fostering mutual understanding and peace-conflict resolution–and healing wounds of Conflict.

Persons and organizations wishing to present a “success story” or “Model of Best Practice” are invited to email: ljd@iipt.org.

Sunday, 17 September, will feature a full day “Educators Forum” – a full day “Student/Youth Leadership Forum” and a meeting of the IIPT Global Family chaired by IIPT Chairman, Mr. Timothy Marshall. The Welcome Reception will be held Sunday evening.

Join us as we continue to plan and work toward the vision of travel and tourism as the world’s first global peace industry and supporting the potential of “Every traveler being an Ambassador for Peace.”

Venue for the Summit is the prestigious Hotel Bonaventure in downtown Montreal, just minutes away from historic “Old Montreal” where you will experience the “Spirit of 375.”

Global Peace Parks Project and Travel for Peace

IIPT has launched a Global Peace Parks Project for its 30th anniversary year with a goal of 2,000 IIPT Peace Parks circling the earth by 21 September 2017 – the UN International Day of Peace.

The Global Peace Parks Project builds on the success of IIPT’s 1992 “Peace Parks across Canada” Project commemorating Canada’s 125th birthday as a nation. IIPT conceived and implemented “Peace Parks across Canada” which resulted in 350 Peace Parks being dedicated by cities and towns from St. John’s, Newfoundland on the shores of the Atlantic, across five time zones to Victoria, British Colombia on the  shores of the Pacific.

The Peace Parks were all dedicated on October 8, 1992 as a National Peace Keeping Monument was being unveiled in Ottawa and 5,000 Peacekeepers passing in review.  Each park was dedicated with a ‘bosco sacro’ – a peace grove of 12 trees, symbolic of Canada’s 10 Provinces and 2 Territories, as a link to one another, and a symbol of hope for the future. Of the more than 25,000 Canada 125 Projects, Peace Parks across Canada was said to be the most significant.

IIPT International Peace Parks have since been dedicated as a legacy of each IIPT International Conferences and Global Summits including Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism as a legacy of the Amman Summit, 2000 and Victoria Falls, as a legacy of the IIPT 5th African Conference, 2013, subsequently re-dedicated as the featured event of the UNWTO General Assembly, co-hosted by Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General and Dr. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s first President, are shown planting the first of 6 olive trees brought from Bethany Beyond the Jordan by Amman Mayor, H.E. Akel Biltaji pictured on the right with King Makuni of the Leya People, on whose land Victoria Falls is located, and IIPT Founder and President, Louis D'Amore.

IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

The second flagship project of IIPT's 30th Anniversary Year is the "IIPT Travel For Peace Campaign" that encourages every traveler to be an "Ambassador for Peace" by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler and the ethic inherent in the iconic Padre Johnson portrait of the Global Family reminding us that we are "One Earth One Family.

The “IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign relates to the UNWTO “Travel – Enjoy – Respect” initiative of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. It seeks to engage travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines, cruise ships and other sectors of the global travel and tourism industry to join with IIPT in encouraging every traveler to be an “Ambassador for Peace”

Persons interested in more information on either the IIPT “Travel for Peace Campaign” or the “IIPT Global Peace Parks Project” are invited to email ljd@iipt.org.

Grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world and because peace begins with the individual,  I affirm my personal responsibility and commitment to:

• Journey with an open mind and gentle heart
• Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter
• Revere and protect the natural environment which sustains all life
• Appreciate all cultures I discover
• Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome
• Offer my hand in friendship to everyone I meet
• Support travel services that share these views and act upon them and,
• By my spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace
  

International Institute for Peace Through Tourism

IIPT India Conducts 2nd “Celebrating Her”
Awards at ITB Berlin

IIPT India’s 2nd Celebrating Her awards were held on Wednesday, 8 March, International Women’s Day, at ITB Berlin. Dr. Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General delivered the Keynote Address and presented the awards on behalf of IIPT India.

This year's award winners are: Ishita Khanna - India, Co-founder of Ecosphere, for Community Eco Tourism; Ha Lam - Vietnam, Co-founder of Triip.me, for using technology to empower local communities; Claudia Brozel - Germany. Professor, University of Sustainable Development, for Tourism Education; Ruth Hopfer-Kubsch - Germany, Director of Studiosus Foundation,for Responsible Tourism; Mmatsatsi Ramawela - South Africa, CEO of Tourism Business Council of S.A., for Tourism Leadership.

The awards ceremony was preceded by a panel discussion on tangible steps that can be taken in 2017, the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, to further empower women in the fields of tourism and hospitality. Panelists included: Rika Jean-François, Commissioner ITB Corporate Social Responsibility; Anita Mendiratta, Special Advisor to UNWTO; Sunita Rajan, VP, Asia Pacific, CNN; Amb. Gurjit Singh. India Ambassador to Germany and Hon. Alain St. Ange, Seychelles.

Special guests included Dr. Mario Hardy, CEO Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA): Ms. Daniela Oreto, CEO SKAL International, Ms. Susanna Saari, Vice President SKAL International along with some of last year’s award winners – Dr. Nicole Haeusler Consultant for Responsible Tourism, Myanmar; Dr. Dietlind von Lassberg Vice Chairwoman of Institute for Tourism & Development, Germany; Jane Ashton, Director of Sustainability, TUI Group, UK and other industry leaders.

Dr. Mario Hardy

Daniela Oreto

Susanna Saari

Dr. Nicole Haeusler

Jane Ashton

“We are proud to present these awards for the second year at ITB Berlin,” said Ajay Prakash, President IIPT India “and we are grateful for the support we continue to receive from UNWTO and ITB Berlin. The Awards reaffirm IIPT’s global commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women, which is a prerequisite to achieve our goal of Peace through Tourism.”

IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore stated “IIPT is grateful for the support of UNWTO and ITB to IIPT India in recognizing women who serve as role models in our industry. IIPT from the start has recognized the important leadership role of women. Patron of the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism – a Vital Force for Peace, Vancouver 1988 was H.E. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, President of Iceland and the world’s first elected women Head of State. Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan was Patron of IIPT’s Second Global Conference. IIPT has also been proud to  feature women leaders as keynote speakers and presenters of ‘Success Stories” at international conferences and summits these past 30 years.”

HRH Princess Dana Firas to be Patron of
IIPT “Travel for Peace” Tour to Jordan with Opportunities to
Assist Syrian Refugees

IIPT is honored to announce that HRH Princess Dana Firas will be a Patron of the IIPT “Travel for Peace Tour” to Jordan 9-18 November 2017. HRH Princess Dana Firas is a Global advocate for cultural heritage preservation and President of the Board, Petra National Trust (PNT). HRH Princess Dana Firas will personally meet with members of the tour either in Amman or Petra.

Under the leadership of HRH Princess Dana Firas, PNT has expanded its work not only to include conservation and preservation projects but also Education, Outreach and Awareness (EOA) programs for youth in the six villages that surround the Petra Archaeological Park. PNT will be facilitating a special tour by its youth workshop members  that will give a unique view of Petra.

Donald King, Ambassador at Large for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), and his wife Lynne will be leading the special “Travel for Peace” tour to Jordan November 9-18, 2017. The Kings have been residents of Jordan and have extensive experience leading tours in Jordan. They also have recently been involved in several humanitarian efforts assisting Syrian refugees while developing relationships with local organizations that provide services to these refugees. They recently hosted a voluntary optometry team that provided vision screening and eye glasses at a special school for Syrian children.

Persons participating in the upcoming IIPT Peace Tour will have a chance to interact with Syrian refugee children, providing games, handicrafts and other gifts at the school. The dates of the tour have been set for November 9-18, to coincide with the close of World Travel Market so that persons attending WTM might fly directly from London to Amman.

Collaborating with IIPT will be Airline Ambassadors International (AAI). AAI helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging connections with the airline industry towards humanitarian service. AAI will also be providing marketing support among its members. AAI’s Founder and President, Nancy Rivard, was the second recipient of the IIPT Ambassador for Peace Award at IIPT’s 1999 Global Conference in Glasgow. www.airlineamb.org.

AAI will be represented by Sandy Dhuyvetter, a member of the AAI Board of Directors who will manage AAI’s commitment to IIPT. Sandy is also a trainer on Human Trafficking Awareness in the travel industry and an award winning creator, executive producer and host of TravelTalk Radio and Travel Talk Media.

Nancy Rivard

Sandy Dhuyvetter

Partnering with IIPT in organizing the tour is Near Eastern Tours, an IIPTCoalition Partner. Near Eastern Tours will provide in-country services for the tour.

Also collaborating with IIPT will be Angels of Hope who will provide “Tee” Shirts and other gifts for school children. www.theangelworkshop.com

Jordan is one of the world’s spectacular destinations and home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people.  The itinerary will provide the opportunity to see this fascinating land, meet its people and experience its welcoming spirit.  The tour itinerary will include Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, Mt. Nebo, Azraq Wetlands, Shumari Reserve, the Dead Sea and other sites.

Participants in this special tour will have the opportunity to assist some of the Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their homeland. We will visit refugee families and provide food parcels, hygiene packets and medical supplies to some of the neediest families. Participation in this tour will make a difference in the lives of a few Syrian families and participants will gain an appreciation for one of the most interesting countries in the world. 

Interested persons and Travel agents are invited to request more information. Please send an email request to: travelking47@gmail.com

Patrick Kalifungwa Awarded Honorary Professorship

by Academic Union of United Kingdom

Dr. Patrick Kalifungwa has been awarded an Honorary Professorship by the Academic Union of the United Kingdom in a colorful and dignified ceremony attended by his wife Felicity and other dignitaries at the Annual Gathering of the Academic Summit of Academic Leaders in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Professor Kalifungwa was selected for the award because of his consistent activities in research, education, educational management, and innovative development in meeting the needs of modern society. Professor Kalifungwa addressed the assembly regarding these initiatives as well as his leadership role as President of Livingstone International University, Zambia and its programs for international co-operation.

The Summit of Leaders Oxford is the branding forum of members and partners of the European Business Assembly from 50 countries – a traditional annual meeting of scientists, academics and rectors of leading universities and academic institutions together with leaders from the corporate and public sectors.

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, cooperation among nations, an improved quality of environment, cultural enhancement and the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, reconciliation and healing wounds of conflicts; 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) 253-8671
Email: ljd@iipt.org

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