Background

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) was founded in 1986, the UN International Year of Peace, with a vision of “Tourism as a Global Industry”; an industry which supports and promotes the belief that every traveller is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace”- an Ambassador for Peace within the global family and an Ambassador for Peace with nature.

That vision is grounded in the 1980 Manila Declaration of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) which challenged the industry with a concept of tourism that emphasizes the social, cultural, economic, educational and political values of tourism. The Declaration emphasizes that the very existence of tourism depends on peace, and that beyond its economic significance, tourism is potentially the most important vehicle for promoting understanding, trust, and goodwill among people in the world.

The vision lives, and its message has been given fuller meaning through a series of conferences and initiatives over the past 15 years which includes the most recent 1st Caribbean Rural & Community-based Tourism Training Workshop in Jamaica, August 2001. And now, the world’s largest industry is prepared to move forward in a major way towards the realization of this vision as we embark on a new century and millennium. World leaders and industry statesmen came together in Jordan in November 2000 to honour a Man of Peace, His Majesty King Hussein, and to “Build a Culture of Peace through Tourism” in support of the UN International Year for the Culture of Peace.

The IIPT has formed a “Coalition of Partners for World Peace through Tourism” which includes the Sustainable Communities Foundation through Tourism (SCF) based in Mandeville Jamaica. Each founding partner is committed to a “Millennium Project” which contributes to the vision of “Tourism as a Global Peace Industry” and the aim of “Building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.”

Mission

To support the development of community tourism internationally and to educate all stakeholders of its importance to the cause of peace, poverty alleviation and sustainable development.

Objectives

• To promote partnerships with the public and private sector
• To educate and foster understanding of all community assets
• To serve as a meeting ground for practioners and stakeholders
• To encourage the economic development of a community
• To share the best practices and resources internationally of sustainable community tourism
• To provide resource information on funding agencies and organizations
• To foster peace and understanding through community initiatives
• To develop marketing strategies for communities
• To ensure the protection of community business interests and products
• To build capacity in sustainable community tourism and development and promotion

IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller

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 host 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

“Travel Promotes Peace”
International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) Community Tourism Network