The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is proud to announce that Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General, UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), will be a featured speaker at the IIPT World Travel Market event as IIPT launches its 30th Anniversary Year in support of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development:
Wednesday, November 9, at 1530 – 1645
Platinum Suite 1
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. As the leading international organization in the field of tourism, UNWTO promotes tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability and offers leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies worldwide.
UNWTO is committed to promoting tourism as an instrument in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), geared towards reducing poverty and fostering sustainable development worldwide. Its membership includes 157 countries, 6 Associate Members and 500 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.
Other featured speakers will be: Mr. David Scowsill, President and CEO, World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); H.E. Mrs. Janice Charette, Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland; Dr. Mario Hardy, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA); and Ms. Susanna Saari, Vice President, Skal International.
With 2017 having been declared the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development the IIPT session will highlight the progress made in Tourism as a Driver of Peace and Sustainability over the past 30 years – and the vision of industry leaders for further progress in the years ahead.
The concept of sustainable tourism was first introduced at the IIPT First Global Conference: Tourism – A Vital Force for Peace, Vancouver 1988. IIPT subsequently pioneered the early initiatives towards its implementation:
– 1992 – developed the world’s first Codes of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism;
– 1993 – conducted the world’s first international study of “Models of Best Practice”; and
– 1994 – organized the first major international conference on Sustainable Tourism, Montreal.
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore stated, “We are most honored to again have Dr. Rifai joining us as a featured speaker at our World Travel Market event and to have the UNWTO as a partner with us in promoting sustainable tourism as a vector of peace.” He continued, “We will use the World Travel Market platform to announce IIPT’s 30th Anniversary Global Summit and plans for IIPT’s 30th Anniversary Year.”
Other special announcements will be made by Ms. Leslie Dance, Vice President, Hawaii Tourism Authority; Tajamul Hussein, CheckINN TV. And Juergen T. Steinmetz, Chairman, International Coalition of Tourism Partners (ICTP).
We look forward to you joining us.
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, 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.org
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