International Institute for Peace Through Tourism News Updates
  October 2017 |
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iipt, skal & pata celebrate the 30th anniversary of iipt with nsw minister for tourism
He said “March 2016 to March 2017, New South Wales, welcomed 33 million international and domestic overnight visitors”, “these visitors spent 26.5 billion dollars in this state, again demonstrating our capacity to compete on an international scale.” The importance of tourism cannot be underestimated. He congratulated the work that IIPT has achieved over the past 30 years and encouraged the important role that IIPT plays within global peacemaking efforts. Gail Parsonage, President of IIPT Australia, spoke of the benefits of tourism to promote peace internationally, and Chris Flynn, Regional Director Pacific for PATA, spoke on PATA’s advocacy for responsible and sustainable tourism growth from Istanbul in Turkey to Santiago in Chile. Vice President for Skal International Sydney, Walter Nand speaking on behalf of the three Sydney Skal clubs present, said “The purpose of Skal is to gather likeminded people from all aspects of the travel industry to get together, to talk about what’s happening in our industry, what we can do to perpetuate the growth amongst all of our businesses, and ultimately to be able to do business amongst each other and continue to work in collaboration to the benefit of all our organisations.”
On the special occasion of the 30th Anniversary of IIPT Celebrations, held at Parliament House, Sydney Australia, long standing members and co-founders of IIPT Australia were awarded Life Membership for their outstanding service and contribution to IIPT. Daphne Lowe Kelley, Past President of IIPT Australia and Chapter Co-ordinator for IIPT International. Faye Alexander, Co-Founder and Vice President IIPT Australia. Ian Kelly, Executive Committee member and Educational Co-ordinator for IIPT International. Their contribution in promoting the awareness of IIPT in Australia and internationally has been invaluable. Left to Right: Faye Alexander, Daphne Lowe Kelley, Gail Parsonage, President IIPT Australia. Parliament House Sydney, Australia, was the venue for the 30th Anniversary Celebrations of IIPT. Parliament House is the seat of government for the state of New South Wales. The building has exceptional historical and social value. It is part of Sydney’s oldest remaining complex of public buildings, Parliament House has been at the centre of the history of New South Wales and continues to play a key role in the history of New South Wales as the seat of government today. |
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Claire McFarlane – IIPT Ambassador for Peace – One Year Celebration Beach Run in Johannesburg Claire McFarlane, global adventurer, advocate against sexual violence and IIPT’s second “Ambassador for Peace” recently celebrated the one year anniversary of her first beach run and start of her global adventure – “Footsteps to Inspire” – with a 16 km beach run in Johannesburg where it all began a year ago. A group of runners there organized and hosted the one year celebration run. Claire’s amazing story was featured in the Johannesburg Saturday Star newspaper.
Claire is running 16 kilometers (10 miles) of beach in every coastal country in the world. That’s 184 countries and over 3000 kilometers of beach, with the purpose of uniting people, organizations and communities around the world to join her in a peaceful dialogue about sexual violence. “I had no idea what to expect when I started out. No one else has created this kind of movement before” Claire is planning all aspects of the journey, including her programs in each country. She is deeply committed to peacefully engaging with individuals, services and organizations while respectful of cultures and traditions and keeping an open mind free of judgement. Claire rarely runs alone and she has noticed a common trend across most countries visited so far: people want to speak about sexual violence, they just don’t know how. Through Footsteps to Inspire, Claire is creating a safe place for conversation and understanding. Claire has already travelled to 30 countries and has run on 30 beaches. She started in South Africa, a year ago in her country of birth. Country five, Papua New Guinea, was a turning point for her. 200 people joined Claire for the run there and they asked her if she could come back again this year. An annual global beach run is a long term goal for Footsteps To Inspire. “Every country has been different. Every country teaches Claire something new. It’s challenging on all levels” Claire reflects, “but that’s adventure isn’t?” Claire featured in TEDx Talk Claire was recently featured in a TEDx talk in St. Thomas. To listen to her inspiring 18 minute talk, please click on this link: https://youtu.be/lNpSg8XSVf8 Follow Claire’s journey on Facebook: www.facebook.com/footstepstoinspire or the Footsteps To Inspire website: www.footstepstoinspire.org Persons, organizations and/or corporations wishing to sponsor/support Claire’s Footsteps to Inspire Global Journey are invited to email:footstepstoinspire |
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World Tourism Day at Al Begrawiya, Sudan Home to World’s Largest Collection of Pyramids Sudan celebrated World Tourism in Al Begrawiya, an area that includes the world’s largest collection of Pyramids. Participating in the event were a number of federal officials and 16 State Ministers of Tourism as well as numerous civil society and private sector organizations.
The Conference was organized by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife and Ministry of Tourism River Nile State. Featured keynote speakers included Assistant President, Abdulrahman Al-Mahdi; Governor of River Nile, Hatim Al-Wasila; Minister of Tourism, Antiquities and Wildlife, Mohamed Mustafa Abu Zaid; and Minister of Investment, Tourism, Industry and Mining of the River Nile, Mahmoud Mohamed Mahmoud. They emphasized Sudan was endowed with many tourism assets which had the potential to make tourism a key pillar of the Sudan economy. Sustainable tourism development would also provide for cultural and environmental enhancement as well as socio-economic benefits including job creation within the industry and related fields. Development of tourist infrastructure was a priority for attracting international tourists which in turn would bring needed foreign exchange to Sudan. The Conference also hosted experts in various fields of various fields of tourism. Mr. Majed Elkheir, Founder and Managing Director of “The Smart Initiative for Tourism Promotion” was one of the prominent expert speakers.” His project is an ambitious and pioneering national Initiative that aims to develop the tourism sector in Sudan and to foster the economic, social and cultural empowerment of the Sudanese people.
The Project has been developed by Net 249 Advertising Co. by utilizing digital technology for an eye-catching promotional mix for the global marketing of Sudan tourism as well as raising awareness among Sudanese citizens regarding the economic, social and cultural benefits of tourism. Since its start up five years ago, more than sixty specialists have been working on the project from various disciplines including tourism, information technology, design, marketing, translation, history, archeology and art production. Elements of the project include web design and marketing, three dimensional displays of archaeological sites, billboards, brochures and advertising publications, promotion of authentic art and handicrafts from various tribes of Sudan, and an animated series. Mr. Elkheir mentioned that there are 46 active well designed websites promoting Sudan asking the audience to support the Initiative. For a brief video Illustration of the project – please click on: |
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LIUTEBM UNIVERSITY CELEBRATES 4TH GRADUATION EXERCISE Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM) recently marked the 4th congregation for the conferment and presentation of Degrees at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka Zambia. The graduation ceremony was graced by professors from local and international higher learning institutions including America, Europe and Africa.
Vice Chancellor Professor Kalifungwa also announced that the university will complete development of facilities and infrastructure to host the Medical and Natural Science programs in the Lusaka Ibex area by the end of 2017. Research is underway for the establishment of the school of Engineering and other facilities. The Vice Chancellor emphasized in his presentation that the differences among nations in terms of development are shown not only in what each country produces but in what each of them do with the resources generated through the productive process and Zambia has abundant resources.
The graduation ceremony was graced by a guest of honour from York University, Toronto Canada Professor Hassan Qudrat-Ullah. The guest of honour’s presentation was themed: Sustainable Development of Africa by Africans: The Role of African Youth. Professor Hassan discussed a model he referred to as AACD (Access-Adopt -Commercialise -Develop) and the need for innovation. He stated that the high cost of research need not be an obstacle as African youth can use research that is existing elsewhere and adopt it in meeting local requirements to achieve sustainable development in Africa. Education is a powerful asset towards this end. |
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HRH Princess Dana Firas Patron of
Under the leadership of HRH Princess Dana Firas, PNT has expanded its work not only to include conservation and preservation projects but also Education, Outreach and Awareness (EOA) programs for youth in the six villages that surround the Petra Archaeological Park. PNT will be facilitating a special tour by its youth workshop members that will give a unique view of Petra.
Persons participating in the upcoming IIPT Peace Tour will have a chance to interact with Syrian refugee children, providing games, handicrafts and other gifts at the school. The dates of the tour have been set for November 9-18, to coincide with the close of World Travel Market so that persons attending WTM might fly directly from London to Amman.
Partnering with IIPT in organizing the tour is Near Eastern Tours, an IIPTCoalition Partner. Near Eastern Tours will provide in-country services for the tour. Also collaborating with IIPT will be Angels of Hope who will provide “Tee” Shirts and other gifts for school children. www.theangelworkshop.com Jordan is one of the world’s spectacular destinations and home to some of the world’s friendliest and most hospitable people. The 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.
Participants in this special tour will have the opportunity to assist some of the Syrian refugees who have fled the war in their homeland. We will visit refugee families and provide food parcels, hygiene packets and medical supplies to some of the neediest families. Participation in this tour will make a difference in the lives of a few Syrian families and participants will gain an appreciation for one of the most interesting countries in the world.
Interested persons and Travel agents are invited to request more information. Please send an email request to: travelking47 |
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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, 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: |
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A special function at Parliament House, Sydney was co-hosted by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT Australia), SKAL International Sydney, and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of IIPT. The Hon. Adam Marshall, NSW Minister for Tourism and Major Events, addressed an audience of industry executives and guests.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO IIPT 
Vice Chancellor Professor Patrick Kalifungwa in his Address to the graduation candidates announced that the University is in the process of introducing new faculties of Agriculture, Medicine and Engineering to promote science, technology and innovation in Zambia. This will be an addition to the six faculties currently in the university including; Environment and Tourism, Business and Economics, Law, Humanities and Social Sciences, Computing and Technology and the Faculty of Post Graduate Studies.
IIPT is honored to announce that HRH Princess Dana Firas will be a Patron of the IIPT “Travel for Peace Tour” to Jordan 9-18 November 2017. HRH Princess Dana Firas is a Global advocate for cultural heritage preservation and President of the Board, Petra National Trust (PNT). HRH Princess Dana Firas will personally meet with members of the tour either in Amman or Petra.
Donald King, Ambassador at Large for the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), and his wife Lynne will be leading the special “Travel for Peace” tour to Jordan November 9-18, 2017. 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 that provide services to these refugees. They recently hosted a voluntary optometry team that provided vision screening and eye glasses at a special school for Syrian children.
