IIPT June News

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June 2016
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IIPT Announces “Travel for Peace” Tour to Jordan with Opportunities to Assist Syrian Refugees

donlynnDonald King, Ambassador at Large for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), and his wife Lynne will be leading a special “Travel for Peace” tour to Jordan November 12-21, 2016. The Kings have been residents of Jordan and have extensive experience leading tours in Jordan. They also have recently been involved in several humanitarian efforts assisting Syrian refugees while developing relationships with local organizations providing services to refugees.

Jordan is one of the world’s spectacular destinations and home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people. This itinerary will provide the opportunity to see this fascinating land, meet its people and experience its welcoming spirit. The tour itinerary will include Jerash, Petra, Wadi Rum, Mt. Nebo, Azraq Wetlands, Shumari Reserve, the Dead Sea and other sites.

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When you join us on this special tour, you will have the opportunity to assist some of the Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their homeland just to the north. You will have the opportunity to visit refugee families, talk with them (with the aid of interpreters) and hear their stories. You will also deliver food parcels and hygiene packets to these refugees—much needed items for these needy families.

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family refugees

Your participation in this tour will make a difference in the lives of a few Syrian families…and you will gain an appreciation for one of the most interesting countries in the world.

If you would like more information and a complete itinerary of this special tour, please send an email request to: travelking47

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Sacred Himalaya Travel Second Charter Member of
IIPT/Skal Travel for Peace Campaign

logohimalayaWe are most pleased to announce that Sacred Himalaya Travel is the Second Charter member of the IIPT/Skal International “Travel for Peace” Campaign.

Sacred Himalaya travel specializes in adventure, pilgrimage and community tourism tours in Bhutan and other Himalayan nations of Nepal, Tibet and India. Charter membership follows the recent launch of the “Travel for Peace” campaign at a World Expeditions Responsible Travel Symposium. Key officers of Sacred Himalaya Travel are: Tshetem Norbu, Managing Director and Guide; Laxmi, General Manager and Wendy Erd, international tour agent.

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Tshetem Norbu
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Laxmi
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Wendy Erd

The IIPT/Skal International Travel for Peace Campaign will invite all Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotel Companies, Airlines, Cruise Lines and Travel Publications to become members of the campaign and join in the movement to encourage travelers around the world to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler (below) and the travel ethic inherent in the iconic Portrait of the Global Family by renown artist Padre Johnson – that we are “One Earth One Family.”

globalfamilyMembers will be encouraged to distribute the copyrighted IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler along with the iconic “Portrait of the Global Family” by renown artist Padre Johnson.

The program aim is to create awareness among all travelers that the privilege of traveling provides them with a unique opportunity to learn more about our common home – planet earth, the wonder of its natural beauty, its many diverse peoples, cultures and heritage – and in the process to foster mutual respect, understanding and appreciation with each person they encounter.

Collaborating with IIPT and Skål International in designing an interactive website will be Mr. Prakash Sikchi, Co-founder of Inspirock and Jeff Crist, Managing Partner, Crist Consulting Group. The website will be a place where Travelers for Peace can share their stories and interact with one another.

On becoming the second charter member of “Travel for Peace” – Wendy Erd commented that “IIPT was an inspiration for us from our very beginnings as a tour company in Bhutan. Over the years what wonderful connections I’ve seen grow between Bhutanese and foreign friends. Guests leave with a refreshed sense of kindness and compassion.. a shift that seems to radiate out to others in their lives after they reach home. And equally Bhutanese friends keep in touch with those they’ve met from overseas. This beautiful cord that shimmers.”

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Grateful for the opportunity to travel and experience the world and because peace begins with the individual, I affirm my personal responsibility and commitment to:

  • Journey with an open mind and gentle heart
  • Accept with grace and gratitude the diversity I encounter
  • Revere and protect the natural environment which sustains all life
  • Appreciate all cultures I discover
  • Respect and thank my hosts for their welcome
  • Offer my hand in friendship to everyone I meet
  • Support travel services that share these views and act upon them and,
  • By my spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace

Organizations wishing to become Charter members of the Travel for Peace Campaign are invited to contact Louis D’Amore, email: ljd

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Countdown to Rio 2016 Olympics –
Olympic Truce Campaign Gains Momentum

lordmichaelWith the Olympic torch 3 weeks into its 95 day journey to Brazil, a less publicized but equally Olympian effort is once again being made by Lord Michael Bates, who is 50 days and more into a 3000 km walk from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro to highlight this summer’s Olympic Truce Campaign.

IIPT is again supporting the Olympic Truce Campaign which is calling for a one minute silence at the opening and closing ceremonies to highlight the Truce and report on its implementation. The Olympic Truce Peace Ambassadors training program was established by UNESCO at the London 2012 Games with Lord Bates as its Patron, and earlier this year endorsed by the UN World Tourism Organization for Rio 2016.

The Olympic Truce Peace Ambassador Network is currently being extended from those trained in London 2012 to other areas of the world, particularly current conflict areas. Youth wishing to become an Olympic Truce Peace Ambassador are currently being recruited to promote and report on the Olympic Truce for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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An online training room has been set up to recruit, prepare and support Olympic Truce Peace Ambassadors to do their awareness raising and reporting jobs in all Olympic participant countries. If you sign up and train to become an ambassador you could win yourself a ticket to Rio alongside campaign coordinator Gordon Sillence and regional coordinator for Africa, Victor Mutanga, one of the 2012 trainees, both of whom will be there to welcome Lord Bates and highlight the Truce. Victor recently released a heartfelt song for the Truce in Africa.

Young persons wishing to become part of the Olympic Truce Peace Ambassador Network and undertake the online training, are invited to contact Gordon Sillence, email: gordon.sillence or Victor Mutanga, email: zimsbest

A UN resolution supporting the Olympic Truce has been signed by 186 governments this past year.

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Living Golf for Peace – Celebrating Olympic Truce

Golf returns to the Olympic Games after 112 years

Espiche Golf Course – Lagos – Portugal

10th July 2016

Living Golf and IIPT launched last year in South Africa the world’s 1st Golf for Peace tournament to inspire all cultures to come together, to have fun and play with diverse groups. Founders and Organizers of Living Golf Tournaments are Franz Rolinck and Amanda St. George.

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In July Living Golf International partners Espiche Golf Club and the 2016 Olympic Truce Campaign to launch the 1st Living Golf for Peace tournament in Europe.

Espiche is a unique golfing experience based on the principals of preservation, conservation and innovation, Algarve’s latest and greenest golf course showcasing sustainability Espiche Golf Club

Every Olympics is accompanied by a period of Olympic Truce, which was the original reason for the ancient Greeks to hold the Games. It is now backed by the United Nations. This year the Truce has been called from July 28th to September 18th. It is supported by 180 countries. The Living Golf tournament raises funds to train and support Olympic Truce Youth Ambassadors to go to Rio2016 and report on the Truce implementation Rio2016 Olympic Truce Campaign

Golf is often perceived as being individualistic and exclusive. The opposite is true. Living Golf promotes inclusivity, it unites people from all cultures, nationalities and abilities. Everyone is equal due to the handicap system. A beginner can play with a champion – and win

Living Golf promotes nation building. It celebrates diversity through equality and inclusion. Playing golf enhances our knowledge of ourselves, our ability to be at peace within – the fundamental base for outer peace.

We look forward to welcoming all IIPT golfers in Portugal.

To register as a team, individual or corporate go to Living Golf for Peace

or email marketing

Espiche Golf Club Tel: +351 282 688 250

Living Golf – Loving Life – Living Life !

Creating the Future Together – Let’s Play

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Cassie Visits 116 Countries and Counting!!

Cassandra De Pecol, IIPT World Peace ambassador, has passed halfway to her goal of visiting 196 sovereign countries and setting a Guinness world record. She has been to 116 countries so far as she continues on her mission – currently to Asian nations.

cassiewaterfallAs the intrepid traveler, De Pecol, 26, has been traveling since July 2015 with the goal of visiting each of the world’s 196 sovereign nations in less than three years thereby setting a Guinness world record and becoming the first woman – and youngest person to achieve such an amazing feat. Along the way, the environmental activist and adventurer is also promoting global peace and sustainability as an Ambassador for the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), which endorsed the trip.

Cassie’s on the road, using public transportation, at least four hours a day and flights are up to 16 hours. Nights are spent in Airbnb’s, hotels (preferably “eco”) and the occasional hostel. As with any traveler, if the weather’s bad, flights are cancelled or delays happen, she slows down for a couple of days. Cassie also has been sponsored by some sustainable hotels and in return promotes their message.

Cassie is traveling as an IIPT Ambassador for Peace promoting the role of tourism in peace and sustainability. Skal International, the world’s largest organization of travel and tourism executives, has been partnering in Expedition 196 by arranging for Presidents of Skal National organizations to meet Cassie on her arrival in each of their respective 87 countries and organizing her program while in their countries – particularly the opportunity to address University students of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

De Pecol, a web designer before her expedition, says her travel experiences have been life-changing. “I’ve gone from leaning on friends and family for many things prior to the start of this, to now only leaning on myself and my own willpower,” she says. “I am continually (in) awe to hear how badly so many people around the world want global peace, virtually everyone, including those who live in areas experiencing conflict.”

“The world isn’t as scary as everyone makes it out to be, and it actually is a welcoming place for women travelling alone,” De Pecol says. “Amelia Earhart and (teen Dutch sailor) Laura Dekker were two women who have inspired me. They pushed the limits of female solo travel. So I can only hope that I leave an inspiring legacy behind that will open more doors for women travelling and doing these sorts of things alone.”

On completion of her global journey for peace,Cassie plans on producing an educational documentary for use as a teaching tool in high schools and universities. She’s also planning a universal student internship program aimed at addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

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African Diaspora

2016 African Diaspora World Tourism Awards to include African Royal Procession

ljdIIPT founder/president Lou D’Amore, who serves as an International Chair for the 2016 African Diaspora Worls Tourism Awards, has yet another reason to be proud to be a part of this historic event taking place in Atlanta, Ga. (USA). Aside from being an African Diaspora World Tourism Awards Hall of Fame Honoree, D’Amore will also be honored along with Royalty at the awards ceremony. Some of the Royal guests even share IIPT’s mission of promoting peace through tourism.

As the August 26-28date for the 2016 African Diaspora World Tourism Awards and Travel Expo approaches, plans have been made to include a “Royal Procession” as a part of the week-end events. This will be a presentation of African Kings and Queens and maybe even Prince and Princesses. The Royal Procession Presentation will be one of the main highlights of the ADWT-Awards event.

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kingoyoRoyalty already set to attend the awards ceremony is His Excellency King Oyo Nyimba Kabamba Iguru Rukidi IV, ruler of the Toro Kingdom of Uganda. King Oyo made history when he was crowned king at 3 years old, earning him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the youngest reigning monarch. The young king’s ascension to the throne marked the beginning of a challenging as well as an exciting period for the people of the Toro Kingdom. To ensure his smooth maturation into his role as cultural leader of his people, King Oyo was placed under the guardianship of several leaders that included H.E. Yoweri Museveni, President of Uganda; Prince James Mugenyi, his paternal uncle and other kings.

Kitty J. Pope, founder and director of ADWT-Awards says that King Oyo’s attendance marks an exciting, monumental and historical time in cultural heritage for the African Diaspora. “People of African descent living outside of Africa need to see that we have kings and royalty in our culture,” she says. While we respect and adore Will and Kate along with Queen Elizabeth, black people need to see Kings and Queens that look like us,” says Pope. “It is a part of our cultural heritage.”

queenbestAlso attending the awards event is Oueen Best Kemigisa, Queen of the Toro Kingdom and Mother of King Oyo, who is now in his 20’s and ruling over about 2 million people. Queen Best first visited Atlanta in 2015 where she did a presentation for a group of cultural heritage professionals about the African Queen and Women Cultural Leaders Network (AQWCLN), an organization where she is a founding leader and now current president. Launched by Uganda’s President Museveni, AQWCLN is about bringing together African Queens and women cultural leaders to leverage children and women empowerment at grass roots levels. Queen Best, who serves as an international chair for the ADWT-Awards event, says that she is delighted to return to Atlanta to participate in the Royal Procession Presentation.

Also serving as an ADWT-Awards chair who should be in attendance is Senator Princess Florence Ita-Giwa of Nigeria. The daughter of a paramount ruler of her native land of Bakassi, Nigeira, Florence Ita-Giwa was raised as a princess. Other Nigerian royalty being confirmed to attend includes Igbo and Yoruba Kings. The new Ooni of Ife King Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi will be visiting the United States in June and attending a White House Initiative. Like IIPT, King Oba has a mission of promoting peace and unity through tourism. ADWT-Awards co-presenter, Dr. Babs Onabanjo who serves on the host committee for the Ooni of Ife US visit, is making efforts to get King Oba to return in August for the awards event. Dr. Onanbanjo has already confirmed Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, one of the most popular monarchs in Nigeria, who is set to receive an award at this year’s ceremony. Dr. Onabanjo also anticipates other Nigerian Royalty participation.

African royalty from Ghana is also expected to attend. Confirmed attendance is Nana Ampem Darko Turkson, a King from Ghana of the Ankobeahene of Nkonya Ahenkro Tradition, who will be accompanied to the awards event by his daughter Ernestina Oye Turkson. Supporting his attendance is soon to-be estooled (Queen) Ada’obi Quinline Glasper. Another, not Queen, but King on the radar to attend is King Peggy, (Peggielene Bartels), a native of Ghana who moved to Washington, D.C. to work at the Embassy, in her early twenties. In 2008, she was chosen to be King of Otuam, a Ghanaian village of 7,000 people on the west coast of Africa.

“We are so excited about these Royal figures attending as this will indeed make this awards ceremony a shining event at its finest. We are finalizing a list of other Royal African leaders hoping to attend,” says Pope. “Having Royalty in attendance will make this year’s award ceremony very monumental, which could also serve as a “psychological boost” for the African Diaspora.”

kittypopedrbabsThe ADWT-Awards event will again be presented by African Diaspora Tourism with publisher Kitty J. Pope who is the founder/director and executive producer of the event. Helping to present the event is the AD King Foundation CEO Dr. Babs Onabanjo who is the ADWT-Awards producer.

For more information about the 2016 African Diaspora World Tourism Awards event, please contact Kitty J. Pope at Kpope

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, cooperation among nations, an improved quality of environment, cultural enhancement and the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, reconciliation and healing wounds of conflicts; 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) 253-8671
Email: ljd

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