IIPT Holds Joint Board Meeting in New York
A joint meeting of the IIPT Board of Directors and IIPT International Advisory Board was recently held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in New York City to discuss future plans for IIPT.
Taking part in the meeting (from left to right in the photo) were Timothy Marshall, Chairman, IIPT Board of Directors and President, Jamaica Business Resource Center (JBRC); Nina Meyer, President & Chairman of the Board, American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA); Louis D’Amore, IIPT Founder and President; Markly Wilson, Director of International Tourism Marketing, State of New York; Senator Akel Biltaji, Royal Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Alex Harris, Founder and Chairman, General Tours; Michael Stolowitzky, Marketing Executive, American Express Vacations; and Dr. Noel Brown, Chairman, IIPT International Advisory Board and President, Friends of the United Nations.
Focus of the Luncheon Meeting was planning for the commemoration of IIPT’s 25th anniversary of its First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace, Vancouver 1988 to take place in 2013. The 1988 First Global Conference was a major milestone in travel and tourism with 800 delegates from 67 countries representing each region of the world. The IIPT Vancouver conference introduced a “Higher Purpose” of tourism including the key role of tourism in:
The Conference was particularly noteworthy for first introducing the concept of Sustainable Tourism Development - four years prior to the U.N. Rio Earth Summit 1992. IIPT went on to further develop the world’s first Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism Development in 1993 for the Canadian tourism industry - a year following the Rio Summit, followed by the first international study of models of best practice in tourism and environment for United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore expressed “Our sincere appreciation to Senator Akel Biltaji for hosting the Luncheon Meeting,” recalling that as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Biltaji hosted the First IIPT Global Summit in Amman, Jordan, November 2000. The first IIPT Global Summit resulted in the Amman Declaration, which has been adopted as an official document of the United Nations – and the launch of IIPT’s Global Peace Park Program with the dedication of a Peace Park at Bethany Beyond the Jordan – Baptismal Site of Christ - on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the first year of the new Millennium. IIPT International Advisory Board Chairman, Dr. Noel Brown, paid tribute to Alex Harris, Founder of General Tours in 1947 – one of America’s first tour companies - saying “Alex Harris is internationally recognized as one of the Deans of travel and tourism, and a pioneer in developing overseas destinations for Americans. His guiding philosophy in founding General Tours originated at the Geneva Peace Conference following the Second World War with a mission to build bridges of understanding between North America and Eastern Europe.” IIPT Board of Directors Chairman, Timothy Marshal stated “IIPT appreciates the strong relationship we have had with ASTA over the past ten years and that we look forward to an even stronger win-win partnership with Nina Meyer and ASTA as we move forward in the years ahead. Further plans for IIPT’s 25th anniversary year will be unveiled in the months ahead.
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IIPT Names Folk Ensemble Lindjo an Honorary IIPT Ambassador for PeaceThe International Institute for Peace trough Tourism and Folk Ensemble Lindjo from Dubrovnik, Croatia, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the aim to promote peace, mutual understanding and collaboration amongst nations of the world.
FE Lindjo and the IIPT aim to cooperate and support one another in their respective activities and initiatives which include enhancing cultures, valuing heritage and promoting peace. Together, they intend to harness tourism and culture as contributors to sustainable development in the South Eastern European region and promote collaboration among those two sectors, working towards a contribution to reconciliation and healing wounds of conflict.
The Memorandum is also considered to represent the foundations to a future Institute of Folk Culture for South Eastern Europe. The Memorandum was signed by the Director of FE Lindjo, Mrs Dubravka Saric and IIPT Director for Events and Development, Ms Sneshka Richter, on behalf of the IIPT. Herewith, FE Lindjo has become an honorary IIPT Ambassador for Peace. The signing took place at the Hotel Lero in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
The friendship and positive cooperation between the IIPT and FE Lindjo was conceived at the 1st UNWTO International Conference on Tourism and the Media, held mid September 2011 in Zagreb, Croatia, which was also attended by the founder and President of the IIPT, Mr Louis D’Amore.
On this occasion, Mr D’Amore and Ms Richter have also made an official visit to the National Park Plitvice Lakes where they have discussed the potential of the National Park being dedicated as an IIPT Peace Park, with the aim to enhance awareness of Croatia’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment, as well as providing a place of reflection on our connectedness to one another as a Global Family and to the earth of which we are all a part.
Photo: From left to right, Tsehay Aklilu Biresaw, Journalist, Ethiopia; Louis D’Amore, IIPT President and Founder, USA; Mrs Dubravka Saric, Director of FE Lindjo, Croatia; Sneshka Richter, IIPT Director, Events and Development, UK; Dr.sc. Tomislav Plukavec, Croatologist and Secretary for Culture to the Arcbishop of Zagreb , Croatia; Daniel Tsehay, Journalist, Ethiopia
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IIPT to Partner with TIMOTCA for
Inspired by the words of the great philosopher, Socrates, who stated, “I am not an Athenian, or a Greek, but a Citizen of the World” and by the iconic lyrics of John Lennon’s, Imagine…. “Imagine all the people sharing all the world” The International Museum of Twenty-first Century Arts, (TIMOTCA), proclaims September 23, 2012 “Citizen of the World Day”.
island group and as many cultures as possible. To date, over 60 countries have accepted TIMOTCA’s invitation to participate.
TIMOTCA’s Permanent collection of original paintings, featuring the world’s most celebrated artists officially selected to represent their respective countries in TIMOTCA’s global cultural program, has been organized as the Art Beyond Borders Exhibition. Under the patronage of UNESCO, Art Beyond Borders premiered at United Nations Headquarters and was exhibited in Paris and Lisbon and in cities across America. The 2012 Art Beyond Borders Exhibition will be presented at the United Nations under the patronage of the United States Mission to the United Nations.
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported international world travelers reached a record 980 million in 2011 and, according to Art and Tourism there are approximately 300 million annual travelers to cultural destinations. TIMOTCA plans to create the ultimate cultural destination with the establishment of the TIMOTCA Centre – bringing together people from every walk of life and from every country to share the creative spirit found everywhere on earth. Expanding on TIMOTCA’s Goodwill Ambassador for Peace program, TIMOTCA joins with the International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) in the belief that every traveler is potentially an "Ambassador for Peace”.
TIMOTCA encourages everyone to adopt the IIPT Peaceful Traveler Credo which was inspired by the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace nearly 25 years ago and promotes responsible travel by encouraging respect for hosts and the environment. It has been spread across the travel and tourism industry worldwide - http://www.iipt.org/credo.html
Please join TIMOTCA and IIPT in celebrating Citizen of the World Day on September 23rd by becoming a Citizen of the World, joining such notables as John F. Kennedy, Itzhak Pearlman, Angelina Jolie, Bono, Bill and Melinda Gates, Richard Branson and Jeff Skoll to name a very few.” Lend your voice in the promotion of peace and cultural understanding at this most critical time in world history.
For further information and to become an official TIMOTCA Citizen of the World please visit www.timotca.org.
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VILLAGES AS BUSINESSES PROGRAMME MOVES FORWARD
Diana McIntyre-Pike, IIPT Caribbean President and President of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN) has brought on board Joan Dove, PhD, President, Business Training & Services Limited as one of the Lead Consultants with the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network (CCTN). Joan will be Projects Coordinator/Consultant for establishing Virtual Community Tourism offices in Jamaica and internationally including South Africa for the VAB programme to facilitate easy access to a suite of services which include consultation, workshops, training, certification, etc. in association with the National Best Community Foundation (NBCF), Positive Tourism Network (PanaCarib), National Association of Jamaicans and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO), and the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) Morris Entrepreneurship Centre with links to community-based organizations.
Joan has already made significant contributions in the planning and organizing of the Montego Bay leg of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network –South Africa Study Tour that took place February 16 – 26, 2012. The group’s activities began with an official Welcome Meet the People party hosted by the Jamaica Tourist Board and the Jamaica Hotel Tourist Association, followed by a Montego Bay Highlights tour, a VAB Presentation and social get together at Sky Beach Restaurant & Bar, Hopewell Hanover, on February 17.
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Olympic Truce Campaign Gathers Strength - What you can do
The tradition of the Olympic Truce dates back to 776 BC, on the occasion of the first recorded Olympic Games in ancient Greece. City-states decided to cease all warfare and endorse Truce thus sending a message of peace and fair play. During the Truce, athletes, artists and their families, as well as ordinary pilgrims, could travel in total safety to participate in or attend the Olympic Games and return afterwards to their respective countries.
Persons and organizations wishing to be involved in any of the above are invited to email Louis D’Amore, IIPT President – ljd@iipt.org
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IIPT World Peace Tours
Travel Agents Travel Agents please note that tours are commissionable – please contact Louis D’Amore, Email: ljd@iipt.org
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Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism: Industry officials, experts, academics and practitioners share their knowledge, experience, research and methods of best practice to address and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change Edited by Louis D’Amore and Dr. Patrick Kalifungwa
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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: |
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The cooperation between FE Lindjo and the IIPT holds great importance for the development of cultural exchange and re-ignition of cultural connections in the South Eastern European region, with a view to enhance harmonious relations, as well as protection of cultural heritage. 
