IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore has declared 2018 the
IIPT International Year of Community Tourism and Peace
in collaboraton wth Countrystyle/Villages as Businesses. In 1994, IIPT branded JAMAICA as “The home of Community Tourism” in recognition of the pioneering efforts of Diana McIntyre-Pike, President/Founder of the Countrystyle Community Tourism Network and her late business partner Desmond Henry from Treasure Beach who together launched community tourism in 1978
The Caribbean Region was invited to join as partners in the HOME OF COMMUNITY TOURISM in 2013 on the recommendation of the IIPT Caribbean chapter.
The IIPT International Year of Community Tourism and Peace began the celebration of the 40thAnniversary of Community Tourism internationally with Countrystyle/Villages as Businesses beginning in Jamaica with a GOSPEL CONCERT on January 1 in Apple Valley Park, Maggotty, St Elizabeth. This will be followed by the 15th Annual Resource UNIA-ACL Marcus Garvey Fair in Cross Keys Manchester on Feb 25.
Gospel Concert organizer Mrs.Lucille Lee (center) together with Lester Lewis (right) and his Assistant who was the main Gospel Singer
The IIPT International Year of Community Tourism and Peace will build towards the first Villages as Businesses Conference and Trade Show, in December 2018. This first of its kind event will be hosted by IIPT Caribbean in partnership with the IIPT International Community Tourism Network, UWI Open Campus and other local and international organizations.
The IIPT International Community Tourism Network will be coordinating the 2018 celebrations and will be encouraging communities worldwide to create and develop sustainable development projects and events for peace through tourism in their countries to celebrate the IIPT International Year of Community Tourism and Peace in collaboration with the IIPT International Community Tourism Network and the Countrystyle/Villages as Businesses programme.
A Community Tourism Projects & Events Distribution Channel has been developed to serve as a clearing house for international community tourism projects and events for 2018. The goal is to create a distribution portal – a ‘One Voice’ approach – for marketing community tourism internationally and showcasing its local and global impact. Countries around the world will be able to share their upcoming community events and learn about projects in which they can participate. The approach also aims to encourage support from funding agencies, non-government organizations, international organizations, potential investors and Diasporas.
Access to the Community Tourism Projects & Events Distribution Channel will provide information for visitors who desire to support community projects, such as Pick a Project or Adopt a Village, while on vacation. The Projects and Events Distribution Channel will be linked to www.AccessCommunityTourism.
The website can be accessed at: https://www.accesscommunitytourism.com/
For more information, please contact:
IIPT International Community Tourism Network Secretariat Tel: 876-507-6326 | Mandeville, Jamaica |Email:iiptcaribbean@yahoo.com