IIPT is proud to announce the 3^rd IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism to be held at the InterContinental Lusaka Hotel, Lusaka, Zambia, February 6 to 11, 2005.  The Conference is being organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in partnership with the Africa Travel Association (ATA), and hosted by the Zambian Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources.

Theme of the Conference is

           “Tourism:  Pathway to a Prosperous Africa.” 

The Conference aim is to develop a 21^st Century Vision for African Tourism.

Specific Goals include:

• Provide a forum for leading government, industry, donor agency and NGO decision makers, as well as leading educators and practitioners, to debate and reach consensus on a 21^st Century vision for African Tourism;
• Facilitate the development of strategic alliances to achieve that vision;
• Demonstrate elements of that vision with “Success Stories” and Models of “Best Practice;” and
• Continue building a global awareness of Africa as a 21^st Century destination.

Zambian President to be Honorary Chair of Conference

Early Bird* Registration fee       $150 (U.S.)

Regular Registration fee            $190 (U.S.)

Student/Youth Early Bird* Registration fee        $10 (U.S.)

Student/Youth Regular Registration fee  $15 (U.S.)

*Early Bird Registration fees are available until October 30, 2004

Host and Sponsors

IIPT is proud to have the Zambian Ministry of Tourism, Natural Resources and the Environment as host of the 3^rd IIPT African Conference, and

InterContinental Hotels Group continue their support of IIPT Conferences and Summits as a Platinum Sponsor.

Organizations interested in being a sponsor of IIPT’s Third African Conference on Peace through Tourism are invited to contact:

Louis D’Amore: e-mail:  ljd@iipt.org

Or tel. + (802) 253-8671

Outcome

The Conference will result in a “21^st Century Vision for African Tourism” with a focus on development of strategic partnerships and initiatives to achieve that vision.

International Youth Hostel

Mr. Ulrich Bunjes, President of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF) has indicated that he will announce the development of a Youth Hostel in Zambia as a legacy of the 3^rd IIPT African Conference.  IYHF is a partner of the IIPT and a leader in promoting Youth Travel for Peace and International Understanding.

Just a Drop

IIPT has adopted “Just a Drop” as its official charity. “Just a Drop” is a charity founded by Fiona Jeffery, Group Exhibitions Director, World Travel Market and Reed Travel Exhibitions.

The first IIPT well, a “Vermont Well” for the village of Ndundunyikanza in the Rufiji District of Tanzania, was announced as a legacy of the 2^nd IIPT African Conference in Tanzania. 

We are seeking to continue the start of this tradition by announcing a well for a village in Zambia as a legacy of the 3^rd IIPT African Conference: Persons or organizations wishing to make a contribution to an IIPT well for Zambia are invited to contact:  Louis D’Amore, email: ljd@iipt.org

Background

The Third African Conference builds on the foundations of IIPT’s previous two African Conferences -“Community Tourism: Gateway to Poverty Reduction,” Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (2003); and “Building Bridges of Peace through Sustainable Community Tourism Development,” Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa (2002); as well as two Global Summits on Peace through Tourism in Geneva, Switzerland (2003) and Amman, Jordan (2000). 

We look forward to your participation in the upcoming 3^rd IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism.  For more details on this event:

IIPT,  email: conference@iipt.org

ATA, email: Africatravelasso@aol.com

Zambia Tourism Board: cclumpa.tourism@zamnet.zm

Anushka Bangara, is currently pursuing her final semester as a Masters student in the Tourism and Hospitality Management program at Temple University, Philadelphia. Having completed her undergraduate studies in Hotel Administration at the Welcomgroup School in India, she decided to pursue a Masters at Temple where she was awarded a Graduate Assistant in the School of Tourism. A recipient of the IATAN Scholarship for students studying Travel and Tourism, her interest lies in the field of tourism development, both as an economic gain to a country as well as from a social and cultural stand point.

Amy Sotherden is completing a Master of Arts in international relations from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University.  Prior to returning to university for her masters, she worked in international education and Canadian Studies for five years at Plattsburgh State University of New York and was responsible for administering educational programs abroad and in the U.S. for students and educators.  The internship at IIPT complements her studies in transnational advocacy, and utilizes her experience in events management.  She will help IIPT organize two upcoming international conferences scheduled in 2005, one in Zambia and another in Thailand, being held with the intent to spread the concept that tourism can be used as a tool for sustainable development.

Originally from San Diego, California, Katie Taft recently completed four years of undergraduate study at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana.  While attending, Katie was awarded two fellowships, one for research on ethnic tensions in Estonia, the other for a conflict resolution internship in Washington, D.C.  As a study abroad student, Katie spent a year in Angers, France, where she developed her French language skills and a passion for travel.  After graduating last May, Magna Cum Laude with a B.A. in Political Science and French, Katie spent the year exploring sustainable development programs around the world, while volunteering with Project Concern International, working on freelance marketing and copy writing projects, and completing a cultural travel narrative about France.  She hopes that this experience will be the first step towards a career in sustainable tourism.

 Chapter News

IIPT chapters around the world continue to develop exciting projects that spread the IIPT vision of “travel as the first global peace industry.”  The IIPT Caribbean Chapter, under the leadership of Diana McIntyre-Pike has been involved in a variety of projects that focus on Community Tourism in Jamaica.  Together with the Sustainable Communities Foundation (SCF), the IIPT Caribbean Chapter is spearheading the One Village One Product project in the Resource Village in south Manchester as a pilot project for their community tourism Village program.  The IIPT Caribbean Chapter is also leading Basic Hospitality Skills Training for community persons through the Countrystyle Institute for Sustainable Tourism (CIST) in association with the Sustainable Communities Foundation (SCF). 

IIPT Australia continues its history of success with the announcement of the second IIPT Australian conference for this coming September.  For more information on the conference please contact IIPT Australia Chapter President, Daphne Lowe Kelly, at lowekelley@bigpond.com.

 September 21st Initiatives

This September 21^st is (IIPT’s) first global initiative in support of the U.N International Day of Peace. IIPT is encouraging the Travel and Tourism Industry- the world’s first global peace industry – to reaffirm its commitment to the principles of peace and justice, sustainable development, poverty reduction, international understanding, preservation of heritage, and environmental by initiating and promoting activities that contribute to a “Culture of Peace through Tourism”.

You are welcome to create your own event or promotion based on the mission of the IIPT, and we at the IIPT are available to address any questions you may have as you plan for September 21^st.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if we may be of any assistance in your International Day of Peace activities. We can be reached through email at (anushka@iipt.org), phone (802-253- 2658) or fax (802-253-2645).  We look forward to working with you to realize our potential of making “Every Traveler an Ambassador of Peace”
 

IIPT President Spreading Message of Peace through Tourism

IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore will be giving a series of speeches over the next few weeks as IIPT continues to develop support and momentum in “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.”   His keynote address at the 4^th annual BEST Educators Conference at the University of Southern Denmark, July 1-4, was titled: “Peace through Tourism – Intellectual Foundations to Global Action.” 

Mr. D’Amore will also be speaking at the International Dialogue "Tourism, Cultural Diversity and Sustainable Development" that is being held within the Universal Forum of the Cultures Barcelona 2004, 14 – 16 July. 

Following the Barcelona Forum, Mr. D’Amore travels on to Seoul, Korea to give the keynote address at the annual conference of the International Youth Hostel Federation (IYHF). Theme of the Conference is “Youth Hostelling for Peace and International Understanding.”  The Conference provides a major opportunity to continue forging a strategic alliance with IYHF.

Mr. D’Amore will then continue on to Athens where, through the good efforts of Andreas Larentzakis, a Media Conference has been arranged at the Olympic Media Facilities on Monday, August 2^nd.  Reporters from countries throughout the world will be in Athens at the time in preparations for the Olympics.  The Media Conference provides IIPT with a unique opportunity to relate the message of “Peace through Tourism” – to the core meaning and spirit of the Olympic Games.  Mr. Yiannis Evangelou, President of the Hellenic Association of Tourist Travel Agencies (HATTA), has been invited to share the platform with Mr. D’Amore.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Email: iipt@togethrer.net

Tel.   +1-802  253-2658

Fax:  +1- 802  253-2645