The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) traditionally includes Inclusive Travel as one of its areas of interest. This year's conference continues the dialogue. One Earth One Family: Travel and Tourism – Serving a Higher Purpose is the theme of the 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism being held at the award winning Royal Cliff Beach Resort, Pattaya, Thailand, October 2-5, 2005.
The aim of the Summit is to develop a 21st Century Agenda for Peace through Tourism that addresses key global issues of our time. Topics on which consensus will be sought include:
The Summit is in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millennium Development Goals. It is being organized by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT); supported by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); and with the support of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).
In supporting the 3rd Global Summit, Khun Peerapong Oeusoonthornwattana, Director General, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau said, “We are proud that this prestigious event is being held in Thailand as it will create increased awareness within Thailand, Asia and the world – that travel and tourism is more than simply an industry with economic benefits – it is a powerful social and cultural phenomenon that helps bring the world together in realization that we are truly living in a global village – where we are all neighbors with one another.”
The 3rd Global Summit will feature world leaders and statesmen in the travel and tourism industry as keynote speakers, as well as leaders from U.N. and Donor Agencies, and the areas of Culture, Environment, Sport, and Sustainable Development.
3rd Global Summit announcement Center Stage at World Travel Market.
A series of Concurrent sessions will provide case studies of “Success Stories” and “Models of Best Practice” demonstrating leading-edge travel and tourism initiatives in areas such as:
• Pro-Poor Tourism
• Fair Trade in Tourism
• Community Capacity Building
• Sport for Peace and Development
• Youth Travel & Empowerment
• Educating for a Culture of Peace Through Tourism
• Micro-Enterprise and SME Development
• Healing the Wounds of Conflict
• Linkages of Tourism – Environment – Wildlife – and Poverty Reduction
• Community Tourism – The Thailand Experience
• Volunteer Tourism
• Parks and Protected Areas – Preserving Biodiversity
• Role of Communications in “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism
• Linkages of Tourism, Culture, the Arts and Heritage in Building a Culture of Mutual Understanding and Peace
These sessions will also explore what more can be achieved in these areas through collaborative efforts.
Participants
PHOTO: Khun Phornsiri Manoharn, Deputy Governor for International Marketing, Tourism Authority of Thailand, announcing 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism at World Travel Market.
The 3rd Global Summit will bring together senior executives from all sectors of the travel and tourism industry, public and private; U.N. agencies, donor agencies, and NGO’s; leading educators, policy analysts, researchers, practitioners, entrepreneurs, future leaders of the industry; and senior representatives from related sectors including: Culture, Sport, Environment, and Sustainable Economic Development.
Educators Forum
An Educators Forum with leading educators from around the world is being organized by Professor Kaye Chon, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The ‘Call for Papers’ is available on our website: www.iipt.org or by contacting Professor Chung directly at Email: hmkchon@polyu.edu.hk The Forum will take place on October 2nd.
International Student and Youth Leadership Forum
An International Student and Youth Leadership Forum will also be held on October 2nd bringing together creative and energetic young leaders from countries around the world who will develop a ‘Youth Agenda for Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.’ Future leaders of the Travel and Tourism industry may contact Nishit Charadva at email: ncharadva@yahoo.com
IIPT Scholarship Award
To further stimulate thinking among students of tourism and hospitality in advance of the Summit, IIPT will award a US $1,000 to the University student writing the best paper on “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.” Deadline for abstracts is May 15. Please contact Professor Kaye Chon for more information: Email: hmkchon@polyu.edu.hk or Nishit Charadva: ncharadva@yahoo.com
Other Forums
Other Forums to be held on October 2nd include a Young Professionals Forum, Community Tourism Forum, Cultural Tourism Forum, and a Forum on Inter-Faith Dialogue.
Foundations
The 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism builds on the foundations of two previous Global Summits: Amman 2000; and Geneva, 2003; three global conferences: Vancouver, 1988; Montreal, 1994; and Glasgow, 1999; three African Conferences: Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, 2001; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 2003; and Lusaka, Zambia, 2005 – and a series of smaller conferences and symposia in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Pakistan, Israel, Jordan, Caribbean, United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States. A report on the recently held Lusaka Conference can be viewed at: http://www.iipt.org/newsletter/IIPTMar2005.html
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore said, “We are honored to have the 3rd Global Summit in Thailand as a demonstration of support and solidarity with the people of South East Asia affected by the tsunami. The warm and compassionate hospitality of the Thai people, together with their reputation for high quality service, ensures that delegates to the Summit will have a rewarding and memorable experience.”
Post Summit Tours
As a further demonstration of support and solidarity with people of South East Asia affected by the Tsunami, Post Summit tours are being organized by Pacific World to Phuket, Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bali.
Official Hotel and Venue
The award winning Royal Cliff Beach Resort and Conference Center is the official hotel and venue for the Summit. Special Room Rates are available to May 28th.
Participants are invited to book directly with the Royal Cliff: Web: www.royalcliff.com; email: info@royalcliff.com; Tel: + 66.38 250.421; Fax: 66.38 250.511, 250.513.
Official Airline
Thai Airways International is the Official Airline of the Summit and will provide best market fares to delegates participating in the Summit. Please contact your local Thai Airways office mention conference code: TG0510015
Dr. Dan McDonald on Assignment with Peace Corps in Thailand
Dr. Dan McDonald, Coordinator of the IIPT Global Educators Network has been on assignment as a volunteer with the Peace Corps in Northeast Thailand since January of this year. He is assisting a village and its members in the development of sustainable rural tourism development strategies. Additionally, Dr. McDonald is engaged with several Private, Public, NGO and Academic rural based projects involved with a variety of Cultural Tourism, Agra Tourism, Ecotourism, and environmentally based, sustainable, non formal educational programs and facilities.
Dr. McDonald and representatives of Thai villages plan to highlight Thailand’s Rural Community Tourism Success Stories at the October 3rd Global Summit on Peace through Tourism in Pattaya.
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