October 2005 Issue

Pattaya Declared a ‘City of Peace’
as Legacy of 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism: One Earth  One Family

IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore, Mayor Niran Wattanasartsathorn and H.E.  Suwat Liptapantop, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand listen intently to H.E. Akel Biltaji, Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan during Opening Ceremony.
Photos © Pattaya News

Khun Nirum Wattanasartsaton, Mayor of Pattaya City declared Pattaya a ‘City of Peace’ during a special ceremony at the 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Conference Center October 2-5, 2005. Joining with the Mayor was IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore, and Niels Colov of Rotary International.

As part of the Ceremony – An IIPT International Peace Park was dedicated with delegates from each continent taking part together with members of Pattaya Rotary and dignitaries from Pattaya City.

The 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism took place from October 2-5, 2005.

Senior delegates from Jordan, Israel and Palestinian National Authority opening their minds
and their hearts to one another during the Welcoming Reception.
Photo © Pattaya News

Theme of the 3^rd Global Summit was “One Earth One Family:
Travel and Tourism – Serving a Higher Purpose.”

Mr. Peter de Jong, President and CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association moderating panel discussion on “The Asian Tsunami and World Travel Industry – A Sustained Response to Social and Economic Development” with Dr. Tom Selanniemi, Chairman, Tour Operators Initiative for Sustainable Tourism; Hiran Cooray, President, Tourist Hotels Association, Sri Lanka; and spokesperson for H.E. Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Vantana, Minister of Interior, Thailand, Mr. Suporn Ratananakin Director of Research and International Cooperation Bureau Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Ministry of Interior.
Photo © Kristie McLean

Panelists sharing insights during plenary session “A Strategic Tourism Industry Response to International Terrorism.” Taking part in the debate: Ambassador Mr. Juan Manuel Lopez Nadal, Spain; Ambassador Ibrahim Usuf, Republic of Indonesia; Mr. Uzi Yalon, Honorary Life Time President, SKAL International H.E. Eng. Ziad Al-Bandak, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Palestinian National Authority; and Mr. James Lu, International Hotel Association; with Moderator H.E. Akel Biltaji center. Each member of the panel, including the Moderator, had been a refugee at one time in their life.
Photo © Kristie McLean

“Healing the Wounds of Conflict” Plenary panelists H.E. Veng Sereyvuth, Senior Minister, Cambodia; Hon. Daudi Migereko, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Uganda; Hon. Rejoice Thizwilondi, Deputy Minister, Environmental Affairs;  H.E. Eduardo Jonato S. Chingunji, Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Angola; and Mr. U.S. Chung, Chairman and CEO, Federation of Korea Travel Associations with Moderator H.E. Akel Biltaji center.
Photo © Kristie McLean

A special African Luncheon was hosted by the Republic of Uganda and the Ministry of Tourism, environment and Natural Resources, Republic of Zambia. Hon. Daudi Migereko, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Uganda, used the occasion of the Luncheon to announce on behalf of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President, Republic of Uganda, that the Republic of Uganda will host the 4th IIPT African Conference in early 2007.

Hon. Daudi Migereko, Minister of Trade, Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Uganda and Louis D’Amore, IIPT Founder and President sign agreement for 4th IIPT African Conference to be held in Uganda in partnership with the Africa Travel Association. Photo © Pattaya News

Peter de Jong, President and CEO, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Hon. Kabinga J. Pande, President, Africa Travel Association and Minister of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources sign agreement in anticipation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) forging an Asia – Africa Bridge of Tourism, Friendship and Collaboration.
Photo © Kristie McLean

The African Luncheon featured the signing of an Agreement between the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and the Africa Travel Association (ATA) as a first step towards drafting a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the aim of forging an Asia – Africa Bridge of Tourism, Friendship, and Collaboration.

Mr. U.S. Chung, President and CEO, Korea Tourism Associations receives award on behalf of Mr. Chung Ju Young (1915 – 2001), Founder, Hyundai Business Group. Photo © Pattaya News	IIPT Achievement Awards were given to Mr. Chung Ju Yung (1915 – 2001), Founder, Hyundai Business Group for his pioneering efforts in harnessing tourism to open doors to North Korea; Peace Trees Vietnam, for working alongside the Vietnamese people to transform the destructive consequences of war into a safe and healthy environment for the children of Quang Tri Province by removing land mines and replacing them with trees; and to ‘Just a Drop for providing clean water to children and their families in least developed counties and to the survivors of the Asian tsunami.
Fiona Jeffrey, Founder and Board Chairman, ‘Just a Drop’ receives the ‘Just a Drop’ Award. Photo © Pattaya News	The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) was formed in 1986 in response to global issues of the 1980’s – the growing tensions between east and west; a deteriorating environment; the increasing gap of have and have not regions of the world; and the growth of terrorism, much of it – as today, aimed at the travel and tourism industry.
John McAuliff, Executive Director, Fund for Reconciliation and Vietnamese Student delegate receive award on behalf of Peace Trees Vietnam. Photo © Pattaya News	IIPT’s main goal in organizing its 1st Global Conference on Peace through Tourism in Vancouver in 1988 was to create a greater awareness of the potential for tourism to be a vital force for peace: peace with our neighbors in the global village, peace with nature, and peace with future generations through sustainable tourism development. For 20 years – IIPT has been promoting this ‘higher purpose’ of tourism. It became clear just three weeks prior to the Summit that this ‘higher purpose’ has now gained broad acceptance at the highest levels.

On September 13^th – at the United Nations in New York, UNICEF, ICAO, NEPAD, UNDP, AND UNCTA, as well as Ministers of Tourism, industry leaders , and Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s) joined with the World Tourism Organization in recognizing the key role tourism can play in the overall achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, and the capacity for tourism to generate economic, environmental, and social benefits, as well as inter-cultural understanding and peace among nations.

Delegates at the 3^rd Global Summit accepted the challenge to harness the broad acceptance of this higher purpose, and to now move forward with concrete actions and initiatives; and to build strategic partnering relationships to implement these initiatives.

The specific actions and initiatives are set out in a “21^st Century Agenda for Peace through Tourism.”

Central to the 21^st Century Agenda for Peace through Tourism is achieving the vision set out by IIPT in 1986 – that travel and tourism, the world’s largest industry, become recognized as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry” – an industry that promotes and supports the belief that every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.

The Agenda has set 2010 for the achievement of this goal – as a legacy of the U.N. Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World – which will come to an end in 2010.

Participants in the IIPT Peace Park dedication
Photo © Pattaya News

Other initiatives include the launch of a World Peace Passport and a Global Youth Outreach Internship Program. IIPT and the Africa Travel Association also committed to support the Government of Bermuda in the implementation of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail.

The 3^rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism was organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism with the support of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
 

Sponsors

Sponsors included RCI, Reed Travel Exhibitions, Jordan Tourism Board, Jordanian Airlines, Africa Travel Association, the Republic of Uganda, and the Ministry of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Republic of Zambia.

Royal Jordanian Airlines The Republic of Uganda The Republic of Zambia

Tourism & Wildlife  "A destination promotion magazine from India"

The Summit was in support of the U.N. Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the U.N. Millennium Development Goals.

Special Earthquake Appeal

IIPT is making a special appeal to assist in providing support to Fr. Akram Javid, President, IIPT Pakistan Chapter in his efforts to help earthquake victims.  Fr. Javid and members of the IIPT Chapter are taking food, clothes, medicines and money for the affected people, representing both his parish and IIPT.

While the immediate need is for warm clothing, tents etc – shipping these items and getting them to customs is problematic. Sending funds by check to Fr. Javid will take a month to process before he sees the funds.

IIPT is setting up a special account to receive donations.
Please send your checks payable to: IIPT – Earthquake

We will deposit all funds received into this special account and then transmit directly the full amount to Fr. Javid by wire transfer. We will ask Fr. Javid when time permits to report on how the funds were used.

On behalf of Fr. Javid, I thank you for your generosity.

Following are the key portions of an email message received from Fr. Javid on 18 October.

Louis D’Amore
IIPT Founder and President

Dear Lou and all IIPT Friends,  

Greetings from Pakistan.

As you know there was terrible earthquake in Pakistan on 8^th Oct.2005.

There are hundreds of villages and small towns in the vast mountainous area that has been affected by the earthquake. Although the roads to the main towns have been cleared, the remote villages can only be reached by Helicopters. This can only be done by the Pakistan Army, UN and other big organizations. Every 5 or 10 minutes a helicopter is arriving in Islamabad with injured people.

There are many many people still under these fallen buildings.

As the winter season begins to set in in the mountains, the immediate need is for tents, blankets and wam cothing. Many people are sleeping out in the open despite the cold of autumn nights for fear of after Shocks. Tents are items not easily available in the market .

We are joining our Muslim brothers and sisters throughout the country to reach out to those in distress and in need. We have to reach out in love and solidarity. 

I have assembled a team of volunteers from my parish to go to some of the remote areas to distribute food, clothing and shelter.

Many people all over the world are sending help for earthquake victims. I also request all of you to offer your help for these affected people.

The prayers, condolences and help from so many organizations and individual friends is very much appreciated and a great support for us. God bless you all.  

With Prayers and Peace,
Yours truly,
Father Akram Javid

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:
IIPT Website: www.iipt.org
Direct Line: (802) 253-8671
Tel: (802) 253-2658
Fax: (802) 253-2645
Email: info@iipt.org

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