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For Immediate Release
(World Travel Market, Excel London, 12 November 2007)
Humanity is currently witnessing - and shaping the most
significant paradigm shift in human history – a paradigm
shift of major demographic, economic, ecological and
geo-political dimensions.
Integral to this paradigm shift are global challenges
unprecedented in human history including global warming,
depleting resources, an ever-increasing and
unsustainable ecological footprint, global poverty, and
HIV AIDS.
To meet these challenges will similarly require
collaboration on a global scale unprecedented in human
history – and to achieve this level of global
collaboration – it is essential that we first build the
foundations of mutual understanding and respect between
civilizations, cultures and religions.
This year’s IIPT debate focused on these issues and the
key role of Travel and Tourism – the world’s largest
industry – in building these bridges of understanding as
a foundation for global collaboration?
This year’s debate featured H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji,
Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II, Jordan as
Moderator and PATA President and CEO, Mr. Peter de Jong
framing the debate.
The three industry leaders taking part in the debate
have the breadth of experience and knowledge that
provided an over-arching global perspective: Mr. Robert
Coggin, Vice Chairman, Travelport; Mr. Elhamy ElZayat,
Chairman, Egyptian Tourism Federation and Chairman &
CEO, Emeco Travel; and Mr. Alwin Zecha, Executive
Committee PATA, and Executive Chairman, Pacific Leisure
Group.
Louis D’Amore, Founder and President of the
International Institute for Peace through Tourism, was
proud to again bring the debate to the global forum of
World Travel Market. Commenting on the debate, Mr.
D’Amore stated, “The total world military budget for
2007 is US$ 1.2 Trillion. More than the gross national
product of every nation except 7 - $186 for every man,
woman and child in the world – a world where 1 of every
6 persons survives on less than $1 a day, and another 2
of every 6 on less than $ 2 a day – 1 in 6 go to bed
hungry each evening - and 1 in every 4 persons never has
the luxury of a clean glass of water to drink. We must
bring an end to the exorbitant and destructive elements
of war if we are to collaborate as a global family to
meet the real challenges that humanity is facing.”
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About International Institute for Peace through Tourism
(IIPT)
IIPT is dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism
initiatives which contribute to international
understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of
environment, the preservation of heritage, and poverty
reduction, and through these initiatives, help bring
about a more peaceful and sustainable world.
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