IIPT Debate Featured at World Travel Market

This year's IIPT debate at World Travel Market focused on the key role of Travel and Tourism – the world's largest industry in "Building Bridges of Understanding Between Civilizations, Cultures and Religions."

Moderating this year's debate was H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji, Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdullah II, Jordan. Mr. Peter de Jong, PATA President and CEO provided further context for the debate, and sharing their insights were three industry leaders with a 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.

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.

In framing the debate, Peter de Jong said: "I firmly believe that Travel and Tourism builds important positive bridges between our various civilizations, cultures and religions. But it needs the opportunity to do so and the correct environment to do so. And it may not always be wholly successful – but name me another, better mechanism whereby ordinary people can meet and interact with other ordinary people – to discover that we are, after all, very much alike – that all important discovery of our common humanity."

IIPT Founder and President, Louis D'Amore, was proud to again bring the debate to the global forum of World Travel Market. Commenting on the debate, Mr. D'Amore said: "Clearly, collaborating in the manner required to meet the global challenges faced by humanity – will require that we be a world at peace – a peace based on mutual respect and justice – and an appreciation of our inter-connectedness as a global family."

IIPT Panel participants Robert Coggin, Louis D’Amore, World Travel Market Managing Director Fiona Jeffery, H.E. Akel Biltaji, and Alwin Zecha.
Mr. Alwin Zecha, Executive Committee PATA, and Executive Chairman, Pacific Leisure Group

IIPT Founder and President Louis D'Amore was most honored to address the National Presidents and the International Council of SKAL International at its recent 68th World Congress held in Antalya, Turkey.

Founded as an international association in 1934, SKAL is the largest organization of travel and tourism professionals in the world with more than 20,000 members in over 500 locations on five continents and 90 developed and developing countries, and embracing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry.

More than 900 SKAL members from 90 countries took part in this year's World Congress in Antalya, Turkey with its theme "Under the Wings of Civilization" in recognition of Antalya's history as the host of great civilizations over thousands of years.

Mr. D'Amore began his address by congratulating SKAL on their 75th Anniversary as an international association with its many accomplishments in promoting goodwill and friendship through travel; and in particular, President Litsa Papathanassi for the theme of her Presidency, "Sustainable Development in Tourism" – quoting from a recent talk by President Papathanassi that "SKAL is the ideal platform for promoting best practices in the sustainable development of tourism – which can be a powerful tool for economic growth, poverty reduction and the conservation of natural and cultural resources."

He went on to suggest that IIPT shares these values with SKAL and to propose two areas for SKAL – IIPT collaboration in the spirit of the "UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World."

IIPT Global Peace Parks Program
Mr. D'Amore proposed that SKAL International join with IIPT in its Global Peace Parks Program with its goal of 2010 Peace Parks circling the earth by 2010, the last year of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World. "SKAL, with its 500 Clubs in more than 90 countries is the ideal partner for our Global Peace Parks Program."

The Global Peace Parks Program was launched on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 2000 – first year of the new Millennium as a legacy of the First Global Summit on Peace through Tourism in Amman, Jordan. More than 450 Peace Parks have been dedicated to Peace in cities and towns throughout the world beginning in 1992 with IIPT's "Peace Parks Across Canada" project commemorating Canada's 125th anniversary as a nation. IIPT Peace parks have also been dedicated in the United States, Scotland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Jordan, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda, the Philippines, Thailand, and Jamaica.

IIPT – SKAL Executive Ambassador Program
The world's developing and least developed countries are increasingly relying on tourism as an economic engine in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable economic development.

"The IIPT – SKAL Executive Ambassador Program will assist developing countries to achieve this goal by providing them with the knowledge and expertise gained by retired executives with their 20 – 30 – 40 years of experience in the industry be it in marketing, planning, product development, human resource planning, public relations, finance – or other areas of expertise."

The program will match the ‘needed skill' of the developing country, with a retired executive having these skills – who will share his knowledge and expertise as a volunteer for a mutually agreed upon time frame.

IIPT and SKAL have agreed to continue discussions on both programs with a view towards implementation in 2008.

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
Tel: (802) 253-2658
Fax: (802) 253-2645
Email: info@iipt.org

November 30, 2007   Posted in: Travel Industry Info