The Second Global Summit on Peace through Tourism will take place at the UN Conference Center, Geneva, Switzerland, February 5-8, 2003. The Summit is being organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) in partnership with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).  

The Goals of the Second Summit will be to first, continue building a “Culture of Peace through Tourism” in support of the U.N. Decade of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World; second, develop a coordinated strategy for poverty alleviation through tourism; and thirdly, nurture partnering relationships focused on initiatives in support of the first two goals. 

In making the announcement, IIPT President Louis D'Amore, said, “we welcome the support of this historic new partnership with WTTC, which will help mobilize the world’s largest industry in achieving the goals of the Summit.  It is in the Travel Industry’s enlightened self interest to work towards the realization of a peaceful, and stable socio-political environment in which world travel and tourism can thrive.” 

Jean-Claude Baumgarten, President, WTTC, said “this initiative builds on WTTC’s work to make the travel and tourism industry a harmonious contributor to social and economic equality with opportunities for all of the world’s communities.  We are very pleased to further our work together with IIPT, following on from our successful cooperative effort in Amman, Jordan in 2000.” 

WTTC currently estimates the value of the global industry to be almost US $3,300 billion, and is responsible for employing 198 million people (one in every 13 jobs). Its forecast over the next ten years sees the worldwide industry growing by almost four percent per annum, and in the process creating millions of job opportunities. 

Keynote Speakers at the Second Global Summit will include Nobel Peace Prize winners, international travel and tourism industry statesmen, and world leaders in the areas of culture and heritage, sport, environment, economic development, and inter-faith dialogue 

A “Government – Industry – Donor Round-Table” will be a feature of the Geneva summit with leaders from each of these sectors exchanging ideas, and reaching consensus, on a coordinated strategy for poverty alleviation. 

Pathway to Second Global Summit

Efforts will be made at the Summit, and in a series of workshops and conferences leading up to the Summit, to expand the current base of partners within the travel and tourism industry to include partners in the areas of education, culture, sport, environment and religion in “Building A Culture of Peace through Tourism” in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World.   

The first IIPT African Conference on Peace Through Tourism, organized in partnership with the Africa Travel Association (ATA) and the Mpumalanga Tourism Authority, in Nelspruit, South Africa, March 3-7, 2002, marked an historic beginning in developing strategic approaches and partnerships for poverty alleviation on this important continent – home to most of the world’s 48 Least Developed Countries. Some 220 participants from 20 countries took part in the five day conference.  So well received, Tanzania already announced that it will host the next IIPT African Conference on Peace Through Tourism in 2003.. 

The Second Global Summit was first announced in a center stage ceremony at the World Travel Market, London in November 2001 – two months after the tragic events of September 11.  The announcement was made by, and with, industry leaders from around the world recognizing that, efforts to build a culture of peace are more important now than ever before in our history. 

The Geneva Summit builds on the successful First Global Summit held in Amman, Jordan – November 8-11, 2000.  His Majesty King Abdullah II was Royal Patron of the Summit, and American Express the Title Sponsor.  Summit outcomes included the Amman Declaration ratified by participants from some 60 countries including 23 CEO’s of major travel companies and members of the World Travel and Tourism Council, 16 Ministers of Tourism, members of the World Tourism Organization, and heads of more than 20 international travel and tourism associations.  The Amman Declaration has since been incorporated as an official UN document.   

Other outcomes included the formation of a Coalition of Partners for World Peace through Tourism with more than 25 founding partners - each committed to a Millennium Project that contributes to the vision of “Tourism as a Global Peace Industry”; four international networks (Educators, Rural and Community-Based Tourism. Spirituality, and Indigenous Tourism); and the launch of a Global Peace Parks Project from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, site of Christ’s baptism - on the 11^th hour, of the 11^th day, of the 11^th month, of the first year of the new Millennium 

International Organizations Encouraged to Hold Board Meetings at Summit

IIPT and WTTC extend an invitation to international travel and tourism organizations, and others interested in “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism” to hold their Executive Committee Meeting on February 5^th in Geneva in connection with the Summit.  Rooms for this purpose will be made available at the UN Conference Center, Geneva for organizations expressing interest. 

The International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world. 

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global business leaders forum for travel and tourism. Members are chief executives from all sectors of the travel industry. The mission of the Council is to raise awareness of the importance of the travel and tourism industry and to work with governments to create and implement policies that can unlock the industry’s potential to generate economic growth and create jobs. 

For more information on The Second Global Summit:

International Institute for Peace through Tourism
Tel: 802  253-8671  Fax: 802  253-2645  www.iipt.org           

Media and Marketing Contact:
The Bradford Group, New York, N.Y.
Tel (212) 447-0027; email: IIPT@bradfordmarketing.org