From
left to right: Louis D'Amore, Founder and President, International Institute for
Peace through Tourism; Michael Stolowitzky, Director International Business Development,
American Express; H.E. Akel Biltaji, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hashemite
Kingdon of Jordan; H.E. Amnon Lipkin-Shahak, Minister of Tourism, Israel; Tom
Nutley, Managing Director
As
humanity begins a new century and the birth of a new global era, the prospects
for international peace and security seem brighter than ever. Despite a number
of regional and local conflicts, and a widening gap between rich and poor, the
dominant trend is toward universal human rights and universal human progress and
prosperity.
One powerful indicator of such a development is the fact that more people are
traveling from more countries than ever before, making travel and tourism the
worlds largest industry. Its growth is expected to continue with globalization
and as people everywhere seem determined to exercise their right to travel and
to make their world a more familiar place in the spirit of peace and friendship/
Tourism itself has always been a peace-based industry and IIPT, together with
the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, American Express, and other partners, are committed
to making it a powerful force for peace and a major ally in the United Nations
International Year for the Culture of Peace. The Global Summit on Peace through
Tourism Summit is intended to facilitate and nurture this process.
