Australia Archives - International Institute For Peace Through Tourism IIPT

IIPT Student Peace Prize and Student, Peace Ambassador for Tourism 2023

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 06:08:40 +0000

The annual IIPT – International Institute for Peace through Tourism, Student Peace Prize 2023 has been awarded to Madara Vasko from Griffith University, Queensland Australia.

The award is presented each year by the Academic Lecturer at the collaborating University, short listing submitted essays from students, then evaluated by an invited Panel of Australian Tourism Industry Executives and IIPT Committee Members.

The essay topic this year: To what extent do tourists have a responsibility to build a sustainable and peaceful world through tourism? Discuss relevant actions that tourists could undertake when visiting a destination.

Madara Vasko submitted the following:

“Tourists, I beg you to consider peace in your destination selection”

Peace in terms of tourism focuses on what Higgins-Desbiolles et al. (2021) define as “positive peace”, which is the presence of a combination of desirable conditions in society, as opposed to “negative peace”, or the absence of war. Peace is also created through recognition of one’s own culture and the mutual respect produced to cultures visited and interacted with, producing a symbiotic relationship between tourism and peace. Whilst both are important to a synchronous tourism system, “positive peace” produces the effect of human happiness and fulfilment (Liebovitch et al., 2020), allowing for tourist destinations to possess greater income stability, security, and outlook on future, therefore thriving in both a community sense, and a commercial one that can be shared with tourists from around the world.

In this carefully balanced system possessive of “positive peace”, the tourist can choose to extend the positive impacts already present or hinder them through reckless behaviour or disrespect of local culture. Due to this important choice between respect and rebellion whilst travelling, and the fundamental reliance on tourists for income, the visitor plays a tremendous role in promoting peace through their holiday endeavours by contributing their hard-earned disposable income to allow for the employment of those in tourism destinations (da Silva et al., 2020).

Considering the importance of the collective power of tourists in the landscape of peace promotion in destinations visited, the tourist can and should choose to take individual actions to act as a catalyst to promotion of “positive peace”.

One such choice to promote “positive peace” involves travelling to, and supporting destinations that promote the concept and practice the principles of self-sustained peacebuilding. By “putting their money where their mouth is”, tourists can actively support these destinations that are working to establish the self-sufficient economic and social conditions needed for sustained “positive peace” (De Coning, 2018). Subsequently, through tourists’ economic support to the destinations that they deem to be promoting “positive peace”, the destinations relying on tourism for significant proportions of the area’s income are able to sustain themselves and act as examples to other destinations aiming to achieve the same. Therefore, through the monetary support example, tourists, if not necessarily individually, then collectively, are able to promote peace through tourism.

Another choice that can be made by tourists aiming to support peace-promoting tourism lies in participating in cultural and indigenous tourism experiences. Not only does this promote experiences that are life-changing for cultural understanding of both the indigenous communities worldwide and visitors themselves, but it also ensures that income generated by tourism activity is kept within the communities that tourists interact with. By doing so, the tourist is able to provide demand for the labour that supports the livelihood of peace-oriented communities, providing purchasing power, bridging gaps in wealth inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous communities, and exploring a different environmental outlook that is focused on conservation and environmental preservation (Bellato et al., 2022).

Therefore, by gearing travel intentions and purchases towards travelling to destinations practicing “positive peace” and supporting indigenous tourism experiences, the tourist has great potential, therefore responsibility to build a sustainable and peaceful global tourism system. This is done by “putting tourists’ money where their mouth is” and supporting tourism operators with missions that align with visitors’ morals for peace.

Let’s consider the alternative – supporting destinations that are not actively promoting the concept of peacebuilding. Destinations that allow corporations to exploit the residents of the communities that they disrupt, rummage and, eventually, run into the ground. Showing these kinds of destinations that you do not care about the rights, heritage, traditions, and livelihood of local and indigenous residents of destinations does not hold them accountable to practice business equitably and peacefully. Moreover, even if corporations operating within tourism destinations actively trying to build and/or maintain peace do obtain support of local residents, the financial leakages that these types of businesses create cannot be rightfully justified, unless corporations can show concrete evidence of support and contribution to the communities (not just the corporate type, where they claim funding to local communities, whilst really doing nothing but promoting themselves).

“So how can I as an individual contribute to building a more peaceful and sustainable tourism future?” you may ask…

When planning your next and subsequent trips, think about who’s hands your money is ending up in. Is your tourism provider in it for greed and profit, or are they trying to support their family and contribute to their own community? Is the destination you are travelling to implementing consistent and helpful action to preserve positive peace for their people and land? If not, then why do you feel it is ok to put your money there?

We would all appreciate living in the first scenario, and whilst the second might not seem too scary to those of us who haven’t experienced it, it is important to remember that the communities facing destruction from corporate greed are human just like the rest of us, and these people deserve “positive peace” in their families, communities, and cultures.

Bellato, L., Frantzeskaki, N., & Nygaard, C. A. (2023). Regenerative tourism: A conceptual framework leveraging theory and practice. Tourism Geographies, 25(4), 1026–1046. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616688.2022.2044376

da Silva, J. T., Breda, Z., & Carbone, F. (2020). Role and impact of tourism in peacebuilding and conflict transformation. IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-5053-3

De Coning, C. (2018). Adaptive peacebuilding. International Affairs, 94(2), 301–317. https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iix251

Higgins-Desbiolles, F., Blanchard, L.-A., & Urbain, Y. (2022). Peace through tourism: Critical reflections on the intersections between peace, justice, sustainable development and tourism. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 30(2-3), 335–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2021.1952420

Liebovitch, L. S., Coleman, P. T., & Fisher, J. (2020). Approaches to understanding sustainable peace: Qualitative causal loop diagrams and quantitative mathematical models. American Behavioral Scientist, 64(2), 123–144. https://doi.org/10.1177/0002764219859618

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VICTORIA POINT URBAN FOREST IIPT PEACE PARK, MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA

Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:10:55 +0000

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism with support and in collaboration with SKAL International Melbourne and the Victoria Point Owners Corporation, Docklands, Melbourne, commemorated and dedicated the 5th IIPT Global Peace Park in Australia.

As a legacy to the 2023 SKAL Australia National Assembly the VICTORIA POINT URBAN FOREST was dedicated as a member of the IIPT Global Peace Park Project on 27 August 2023.

Victoria Point Urban Forest is a green infrastructure project which transforms a pedestrian thoroughfare into an inviting, publicly accessible green space where residents, workers and visitors can engage and enjoy the unique surrounds.

It is located on a popular pedestrian access area to a major sporting and cultural complex, corporate headquarter precinct and transport hub in the city of Melbourne. It comprises over two thousand square metres, and the site boasts over 5000 new native plantings and 38 new trees.

Janette Corcoran, Chair of the Victoria Point Owners Association said,

“This new green site is significant to Docklands, an inner city location, in terms of identity and community. This is a project for the community from the community. The realisation of this project evidences the potential for local community-led endeavour, and moves away from passivity to a more visibly active community, willing and able to contribute. With the inclusion of the site into the Network of IIPT Global Peace Parks, Victoria Point is thrilled to be associated with IIPT and SKAL and we are keen to collaborate to explore what a peace park in an urban setting might be and set the new standard in Urban Forest concept and sustainability.”

Tara Strickland, President SKAL International Melbourne, commented on the ongoing association and collaboration with IIPT and their commitment to embrace and continue to support the IIPT Global Peace Park Initiative.

Victoria Point Urban Forest Peace Park joins over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks with the objectives to: to nurture the growth of peace and understanding at home and throughout the world; enhance awareness of a community’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment; and to create common ground for the community to come together in celebration of their nation’s people and land.

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IIPT Credo presented to the Captain and Crew of a Wooden Tall Ship, Windeward Bound, Australia

Wed, 03 May 2023 06:51:50 +0000

The International Institute for Peace through Tourism, congratulated and welcomed Captain Sarah Parry and the Crew of Windeward Bound, a Wooden Tall Ship, which sailed into Sydney from Tasmania as part of a 6 months voyage along the East Coast of Australia. A return distance of more than 2,822 Nautical Miles (5226 kilometres).

Gail Parsonage, President of IIPT Australia presented Captain Parry with a framed certificate of welcome and the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller and individual crew members were presented a copy of the Credo along with “IIPT Travel Promotes Peace” lapel pins.

Windeward Bound is an award winning Sail Training Brigantine which gives Young People the opportunity for youth development and leadership skills and sail training and maritime career training opportunities. Also to experience an exceptional adventure.

Windeward Bound Trust and Rotary International have joined together to continue their special leadership development programs for youth and to celebrate more than 100 years of Rotary in Australia. The Windeward Bound training ship’s mast is also the tallest Rotary Peace Pole in the world (24m/ 78 feet) high. The Peace Pole is an internationally recognised symbol with the message “May Peace Prevail” in multiple languages. This ship now also carries the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller.

The ship and crew which sailed its first leg from Hobart (Tasmania) to Sydney a distance of 628 Nautical Miles (1163 km) consisted of 15 “Youth Crew” ages from 15 to 18 years with participants from 4 states in Australia and 2 International Exchange Students from Rome. The “Sail Training Crew” range from 19 – 35 years and came from Australia, Sweden, Belgium and USA and are training for Sailing Skills, adventure and Tall Ships experience.

(More of the story of Brigantine Windeward Bound can be found on https://www.worldpeace.org/2023/04/worlds-tallest-peace-pole-on-ship

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IIPT / SKAL Peace Promenade and Hobart a City of Peace

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 04:33:15 +0000

Dave Flower President Skal Hobart, Hon Elise Archer, Minister for Justice, Arts, Alfred Mercer, Past President Skal Hobart, Hon Anna Reynolds, Lord Mayor Hobart, Gail Parsonage, IIPT President Aust.

IIPT – International Institute for Peace through Tourism and Skal International Hobart inducted Hobart as a City of Peace and inaugurated the IIPT/SKAL Peace Park Promenade at Macquarie Point, on 21 September 2022 which was chosen to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Peace. The original announcement of the Hobart Peace Park Promenade and City of Peace was in March 2020 but due to all the Covid -19 restrictions it was not able to be celebrated.

However, formal dedication finally took place with the Right Honourable, Lord May of Hobart Anna Reynolds, the Honourable Elise Archer, Attorney General, Minister for Justice and Arts and other distinguished dignitaries in attendance.

Cities of Peace is a concept and initiative of IIPT and SKAL which identifies appropriate cities that are aspiring or currently actively demonstrating and promoting values of :- tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, environmental awareness, sustainable social and economic development, are invited to join this worldwide network of IIPT/SKAL Cities of Peace.

Having Peace Parks and Cities of Peace are outward signs of demonstrating a commitment to “Building a Culture of Peace”. It demonstrates a commitment to extending the hand of friendship and peace and welcoming of all peoples. Showcases a City’s strengths in arts, culture, design, tourism and science. Educates visitors to the cultural, environmental and reconciliation values of peaceful travel and establishes a focal point for ceremony and other community-based events.

The IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller is displayed to encourage people to read so they can play their part in promoting tourism as an instrument of peace and empowering each person to be an Ambassador for Peace

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IIPT Student Peace Prize and Student Peace Ambassador 2022

Sat, 05 Nov 2022 18:43:18 +0000

With reference to the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller my reflections on the Challengers and Opportunities in promoting Peace Tourism at a time of upheaval and change in the wider Tourism Industry.

Isabella Mayday – University Technology Sydney, Student 2022

Humanity is presently experiencing and influencing the most profound and rapid paradigm change in human history, with structural inequality having demographic, economic and ecological implications (D’Amore, 2009). We are confronted with numerous challenges, and opportunities post Covid-19 that are global in scope. Meeting the difficulties of these necessitates a change that can be resolved via harmony and peace; however, the adoption of these notions depends on the willingness of the traveller’s. The travel and tourist sector will continue to play a critical and leading role in this change. It will be the fundamental pillar in promoting peace tourism in this time of upheaval and change in the broader tourism industry. Specifically, this idea will be explored through the destination, Hiroshima Japan.

The International Institute of Peace Tourism (IIPT) creates several peace principles and teaches people about the importance of tourism in promoting peace and sustainability in destinations. The IIPT created the ‘IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveller’, which is being widely distributed as a beneficial tool for practising the art of peace via tourism (IPPT, 2019). As peace begins with the individual, the CREDO is responsible for the opportunity to travel and experience the world. The concepts outlined in this credo will be utilised in conjunction with research to better balance structural inequalities for individuals in a post-Covid 19 society.

The tourism industry has a virtual role in promoting peace and practising responsible and sustainable activities for the betterment of humankind. However, there is much academic discussion surrounding the willingness and care of global travellers to promote peace actively. Antoniou (2019) suggests that tourists in the post COVID era are less willing to compromise their trips. However, tourism academic Carbone (2020) believes that tourism is expected to focus more heavily on travellers and prioritise human development and peace. Further, Alamineh (2022) found that due to COVID 19, the contribution of tourism to positive peace and sustainable development has significantly been affected positively. Thus tourists are more likely to take on peace and sustainability initiatives when resuming travel. Although it is impossible to know if global travellers actually care, there is a strong potential for developing and sustaining positive peace in Japan.

Transitioning from violence to facilitating global-civic involvement is highly challenging for indivduals to devise (Braniff et al., 2018). The practice of dark tourism is seen through the travel to a destination due to death, misery, or tragedy and is seen as the total opposite of the consumption of pleasant destinations (Meijer, 2015). The IIPT incorporates the notion into their Credo for Peaceful Travel, allowing travellers to visit countries with an “open mind and gentle heart” (IIPT, 2019). Through the opportunity and application of people-centred approaches, dark tourism can focus on the significance of cultural heritage in decreasing disparities and decolonizing heritage practices (Giliberto, 2021). As a result, a learning environment will be created, encouraging travellers to care and engage in open discussions about the importance of promoting peace and Japanese culture. As peace education is infused with tourist policy and practice, awareness of and respect for cultural diversity is fostered via peace tourism.

The memorial sites associated with Hiroshima’s mass dead and nuclear activities make it a particular case for peace tourism and dark tourism. Surprisingly, these attractions are prefaced by peace and cultural heritage rather than war. With over one million tourists expected each year prior to the pandemic, travellers have an intense desire to promote and care for peace tourism (Braniff et al., 2018). However, the link between Hiroshima and Japan’s peace has not been without difficulties. The devastation of the atomic bomb suggests that Japanese society has forgotten its wartime aggressiveness. Higgins (2021) recognizes that encouraging more robust engagement with all stakeholders will generate more excellent dialogue about the meaning and value of tourism and peace. To overcome this challenge, the participation and creation of programs with the local hibakusha (survivors of the bomb) and the local community are essential (Braniff et al., 2018). Further, now that the Hiroshima peace memorial park has become a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, it serves as a safeguard for eliminating nuclear weapons and promotes world peace, precisely aligning with the ‘open mind and gentle heart’ CREDO. Creating programs to facilitate sustained contact between visitors and residents can foster and promote a culture of peace with the reopening of changes in the tourism industry.

Peace tourism emphasises the idea of positive peace rather than simply avoiding direct violence (Herath, 2016 ). Two significant sectors must function and coordinate to mitigate the negative consequences and promote tourism as a sustainable operation. Host communities should prioritise the quality of service to arriving visitors and be accountable for environmental protection. Secondly, international stakeholders should invest in local initiatives for the gradual growth and reopening of the tourism industry post-Covid-19. Tourism can allow destinations such as Hiroshima that are economically advanced and rich in culture with the ability to encourage others to travel the world in peace. Higgins (2021) emphasises the importance of engaging with local contexts to understand tourism’s peace capacities. Advocacy through social frameworks such as communitybased tourism can motivate travellers to care and promote peace tourism. In particular, community- based tourism can support two critical aspects of the credo: ‘ appreciate all cultures discovered’ and ‘preserve and protect the natural environment which sustains all life’ (IIPT, 2019)

Community-based tourism (CBT) may serve society by restoring social harmony and integration, maintaining cultural legacy, reducing social discontent and restoring peace (Yamashita, 2011). It can be seen as a niche opportunity to promote the credo and reduce inequalities between host communities and travellers. CBT approaches include natural, heritage and cultural attractiveness and therefore are major pull factors for visitors. The local community in Hiroshima offers community development NPO opportunities to make its surroundings and living environment more sustainable (Yuki Tourism Community Development Corporation NPO, 2019). Specifically, adventure tourism is intertwined with their CBT, whereby travellers participate in locally performed tours. Here, tourism can be seen to demonstrate the passion that Japanese people have built in the city and how they live peacefully with nature (Yuki Tourism Community Development Corporation NPO, 2019). As such, residents, tourists, and migrants live in fluid though asymmetrical harmony (Higgins et al., 2021). Further, CBT creates jobs and income, in turn reducing economic inequality. Despite being a popular sustainability strategy among ecotourists, this initiative aligns with the IIPT’s Credo and targets individuals to better align their travel desires towards being conscious and peaceful travellers.

Tourism contributes to world peace and sustainability, including in key international documents. Accordingly, Sustainable Development Goal 16 of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) stresses the need for inclusive, just, and peaceful societies in order to achieve sustainable development (Higgins et al., 2021). Travel restrictions and lockdowns have switched the world from over-tourism to under-tourism, which is beneficial for sustainable development (Tsai, 2022). This phenomenon, however, is not necessarily negative because the decrease in global mobility can be seen as an essential catalyst for sustainable development and focus attention on the value of peace. Thus, the introduction of technology is an inclusive and powerful tool to eliminate the geographical inequality of tourists as well as advocate for peaceful tourism. In this era of social distancing and sustainability, peacemakers have used online communities to drive change (Philips, 2020)

Amid the ongoing and unpredictable Covid pandemic, the tourism industry has been influenced by significant changes and turmoil; thus, individuals have been unable to visit Japan. By partnering with international nongovernmental organisations and Japanese and American artists, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum fostered a virtual tour of the museum while preserving social distancing protocols. (IndyaTv News, 2021). This gives travellers the opportunity to recognize their participation in a sustainability strategy whilst allowing them to reflect on peace initiatives. In particular, Hiroshima’s virtual tourism directly links with peace and therefore upholds the credo principle of “By my spirit, words and actions, encourage others to travel the world in peace’ (IPPT. 2019). Individuals who take part in these tours can share these views and encourage others to travel in peace.

Virtual tourism can provide a temporary but timely solution for potential tourists as the pandemic continues. Based on research, Tsia (2022) formulated virtual tourism as an opportunistic strategy that creates a holistic destination image among prospective tourists. The challenge is that after the pandemic, a significant number of people still may adopt and want to use virtual tourism (Tsia, 2022). Accordingly, the on-site tourism industry will coexist with virtual tourism simultaneously. This means Hiroshima will need to understand how to relate its experiences to in-person and online tourism. Online tourists can actively communicate with online tour guides through live chat functionality, garnering a holistic experience that increases their understanding of the development of a peaceful traveller. Due to the rapid digitization of the world as a result of Covid 19, technology has assisted the tourism revolution by transforming traditional tourism practices, meanwhile acting as a sustainable alternative able to promote peace.

In conclusion, Japan was confronted with numerous challenges, and opportunities post Covid-19. The travel and tourist sector has demonstrated an integral and leading role in advocating peace through tourism. Specifically, dark tourism, community-based tourism, and virtual tourism in Hiroshima can potentially integrate the IIPT’s credo and identify areas in which individuals can use travel as a fundamental pillar in promoting peace tourism and eliminating structural inequality during this time change. Ultimately, in a post covid world, tourists are more willing to care for a harmonious relationship and change their perception towards having a more peaceful travel experience.

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Rainforest Station Nature Park in Cairns, Australia. Is welcomed and dedicated into IIPT Global Peace Parks

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:34:06 +0000

IIPT in collaboration with SKAL International Cairns, and WAITOC-Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council which hosted the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference, inducted Rainforest Station Nature Park located in Kuranda, Cairns as the fourth IIPT Global Peace Park in Australia.

“Our Global Peace Parks aim to nurture the growth of peace and understanding at home and throughout the world, creating a common ground for members of the community to come together in celebration of their nation’s people, land, and heritage,” Gail Parsonage, President of IIPT Australia said.

“We welcome Rainforest Station to this prestigious network, particularly in recognition of the work they have done by fostering indigenous tourism and employment in the region,” she said.

Western Australia Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC) CEO Rob Taylor, which hosted the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference, said they intended to build an ongoing partnership to establish more Peace Parks at the future host locations.

“We see this as a legacy project that we hope to implement with more indigenous tourism partners in the host locations of our annual conference,” he said.

CaPTA Group Director Michael Woodward said it was an honour for the park to be recognised and included in the IIPT Peace Park Projects.

“Pioneered by my parents Charles and Pip Woodward, Rainforestation first introduced an Aboriginal cultural experience in 1987 with boomerang throwing, and then expanded this further with the Pamagirri Aboriginal Experience in 1993. My late father, Charles, would have been very proud to see the park join a Global Network of Peace Parks as his ongoing goal was to foster reconciliation and harmony amongst all people” he said.

Skal International Australia President Ivana Patalano said the tourism networking organisation was pleased to once again be a partner of this initiative.

“Skal has supported the establishment of several other Peace Parks around the country, including Q Station in Sydney and also in Hobart, so we’re very pleased to now have one here in Tropical North Queensland,” she said.

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To what extent do tourists have a responsibility to build a sustainable and peaceful world through tourism?

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 12:12:38 +0000

Discuss relevant actions that tourists could undertake when visiting a destination

Gail Parsonage President IIPT Australia with Carolyn Saba Student Winner

Is it realistic to assume that the tourism industry is a benefactor in building a sustainable and peaceful world? Is it the responsibility of tourists to ensure they contribute positively to the topic of sustainability whilst travelling? These open-ended questions have sparked a debate within the industry for the past three decades, with several experienced professionals providing many compelling arguments for and against the topic of sustainability and peace in travel. There is a need for tourists to view “sustainable development as an opportunity to improve the longevity” (Skift 2017) of the industry, through responsible tourism and peace tourism.
As it is widely recognised that the tourism industry is one of, if not, the largest industry in the world with over 32 million flights carrying 1.2 billion people (UNWTO 2018), the way people travel needs to change to ensure that the needs of today are met without jeopardising the ability of the needs of the future to be met (Telfer 2012). This definition of sustainable tourism development which was first introduced in 1987 when the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) published their Brundtland Report, has been adopted by the tourism industry to analyse how its role has affected both civilisation and the environment. For example, when travelling, people can unintentionally offend local communities with their choices of clothing, disrespect sacred sites, generate a significant amount of waste, and visit places that damage the biodiversity (Medium 2016a). Thus, to a large extent, tourists have the responsibility to either positively or negatively contribute to the sustainability of a destination when travelling.

Responsible tourism has been defined as “a behavioural trait … based on the basic principles of respect for others and their environment” (Leslie 2012, p. 20), whilst considering the interests of the local communities residing in tourism destinations. As Sreejesh & Mathew (2017) explained, “responsibility results in clear cut actions” that aim to mitigate “negative social, economic and environmental impacts” and simultaneously work to maximise “positive effects of tourism development” (p. 84). Through different initiatives such as the niche of community-based tourism or the participating in eco-tourism by purchasing environmentally friendly products, the relationship between responsible tourism and the sustainability of destinations is affirmed.

Community-based tourism offers the local products such as the community’s lifestyle and culture to tourists that visit, whilst simultaneously improving the current living standards of the residents and reducing the negative effects of tourism by “protecting the natural and built environment” (ÁlvarezGarcía et. al 2018, pp. 2). This is one of the many ways tourists can experience a social and cultural immersion of a destination whilst creating jobs for the locals, offering additional income, contribute to conservation efforts and facilitate the community’s empowerment (Ngo et. al 2018, pp. 1325). Community-based tourism allows the local communities to maintain their beliefs and retain the benefits whilst ensuring their relationship with tourists coexists sustainably with the environment.

Eco-tourism has been classified as a form of responsible travel “to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the welfare of local people” (International Ecotourism Society 2019). Although many tourists are conscientious on the negative externalities of the industry such as environmental degradation, many destinations are still capping their tourist numbers, demonstrating that individuals may understand the responsibility of their actions but fail to make the necessary adjustments. In fact, Bray (et. al) found in 2010 that whilst 30% of people claimed to be ethically responsible about the impact of their actions on the environment, only 3% translated this into action by purchasing ethical products. Thus, tourists have the responsibility to purchase sustainable products when travelling by identifying the ones with an environmental certification scheme. This allows travellers to gain all the relevant information on the “environmental performance of destinations and hotels” (Skift 2017) whilst simultaneously avoiding greenwashing, a term coined in 1982 to describe the “outrageous corporate environmental claims” (The Guardian 2016) by businesses.

Similarly, as responsible tourism aims to maintain a sustainable future and a positive relationship between tourists and locals, peace tourism also intends to be a benefactor in enhancing “sustainable development and positive peace through the tourism industry” (Herath 2010). Due to its recent prominence as a global industry, many professionals and institutions have advocated the role of tourism in promoting peace due to its offhand ability to introduce tourists to new cultures and values which results in a mutual understanding and appreciation for diversity. Thus, tourists are encouraged to participate in initiatives such as staying with host families as opposed to stereotypical methods of accomodation, to “enhance their knowledge of other countries and cultures”, mitigating the “master/servant relationship in the tourism industry” (Herath 2010). Activities as simple as visiting built places of worship, partaking in waste cleanup initiatives, or even walking along peace
trails that retell the story of individuals or events that have promoted peace in the past, are examples of ways in which travellers can become ‘peace tourists’. For example, the Expediciones Sierra Norte in Mexico’s Oaxaca region works with “community leaders to develop biking and walking trails that offer tourists an authentic experience whilst preserving indigenous knowledge” (Medium 2017b) which strengthens the relationship between the community and tourists and builds a peaceful environment.

In conclusion, to a significant extent, tourists have the responsibility to use tourism as a development tool to build a sustainable world and contribute positively to communities and the environment. For the last three decades, the topic of sustainability has continued to evolve and successfully resulted in tangible and realistic approaches to dealing with the negative impacts the industry has on the environment. These impacts can be combated, as aforementioned, with tourists being a responsible traveller through involving themselves in peace tourism using home stays, participating in community-based tourism to respect the local culture and maintain a positive relationship, and through ecotourism by buying environmentally friendly products. With the expected increase in travel within the next decade, the words of Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of UNWTO, come into focus; “today more than ever, ensuring that tourism is an enriching experience for visitors and hosts alike demands strong, sustainable tourism policies and practices” (WeForum 2017).

Carolyn Saba (the winner of IIPT Student Essay Peace Prize)

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IIPT Australia with UTS University of Technology Sydney, organised the IIPT Student Essay Peace Prize

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 12:25:11 +0000

Dr Hassanli UTS, Dr Beirman UTS, Daphne Lowe Kelley IIPT, Carolyn Saba IIPT Student Ambassador, Dellwynne Harkess IIPT, Gail Parsonage IIPT

IIPT Australian Chapter in partnership with UTS University of Technology Sydney, organised the IIPT Student Essay Peace Prize 2019.

Students from the Tourism and Events Management – Business School UTS, were invited to submit an essay on the following topic.

To what extent do tourists have a responsibility to build a sustainable and peaceful world through tourism

UTS University of Technology Sydney

Carolyn Saba, was selected with a thoughtful and well researched opinion and observations on linking tourist responsibility, sustainability and peace through tourism.

Carolyn, was awarded with recognistion as an IIPT Student Ambassador and also received a Travel Voucher sponsored by Flight Centre.

Her essay is published on the IIPT Global Newsletter, Peacetourism.org and Carolyn will be introduced to Prof. Fabio Carbone, International Tourism Management, Coventry University UK to enrol on his Online Course on Peace through Tourism.

Gail Parsonage President IIPT Australia with Carolyn Saba Student Winner

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.

IIPT vision is committed to making travel and tourism, the world’s first ‘Global Peace Industry’ and the belief that every traveller is potentially an ‘Ambassador for Peace.’

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IIPT recognizing the vital role that Indigenous people play in Tourism

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:25:14 +0000

IIPT has from the beginning (25 years ago) been very active in recognizing and encouraging the vital role that Indigenous people play in Tourism and by extension Peace through Tourism

PDF file

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Gail Parsonage President of IIPT Australia

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 07:15:13 +0000

INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PEACE THROUGH TOURISM (IIPT) BEGAN OVER 30 YEARS AGO WITH THE AUSTRALIAN CHAPTER BEING FORMED IN 2001.

Gail Parsonage, President IIPT Australia

From the beginning, AFTA has been a supporter of IIPT and became a coalition partner to actively demonstrate the vision of travel and tourism, one of the world’s largest industries, becoming the world’s first global peace industry; and the belief that every traveller is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace.”

The influence and power of the travel industry and the travelling public cannot be underestimated. Through macro and micro activities, the industry is constantly demonstrating the economic reality of tourist spending to our economy but also in helping to reduce poverty in developing countries. The contribution to international understanding, the importance to the preservation of cultural and historic sites and the value of tourism as a tool to assist in reconciliation, are all part of the initiatives which bring about a peaceful and sustainable world.

IIPT is a not-for-profit organisation and we rely on the tourism industry to help promote the concept of each and every traveller, as well as all travel agents, actively becoming ambassadors for peace. This can be very simple. The mere extension of good will to visitors and hosts can be an act of peace.

2nd Australian IIPT Peace Park. Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park

IIPT has continued to initiate global peace parks around the world and we are extremely pleased to have the second Australian IIPT peace park at the beautiful and historic location at Q Station, Sydney Harbour National Park. This joins our other Australian peace park at Leura in the Blue Mountains, and with ongoing discussions and negotiations at several other tourist destinations around Australia. This year, the Yunnan Province in China, and Harrisburg in Pennsylvania, USA were also added to our global peace parks project.

IIPT Travel for Peace Tour to Jordan

The IIPT “Travel for Peace” Tour to Jordan was successfully achieved, with delegates from Australia participating in the special experience. It included an overview of the unique historic and scenic icons of Jordan and the opportunity to visit the UNHCR Syrian Refugee Camp in Azraq, with visits also to a school and refugee families. The visits allowed the IIPT delegates to show solidarity and understanding to the displaced families and reassure them that they are not forgotten people. It was a moment of genuine friendship and peace with the Syrian refugees. Food parcels, clothing and school items were also distributed.

Another notable event was the announcement of the IIPT “Champions of Challenge” at WTM London. This award honours leaders who have stood forward in exceptional times of challenge and have made a real difference through words and actions. IIPT seeks to recognise exceptional leaders who embody the power of tourism to bring peace and stability.

On a more local level, IIPT has contributed to a number of tourism conferences and summits, including the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance in Waitangi, New Zealand, the UNWTO Regional Conference on Climate Change and Sustainable Tourism Development in Fiji and the Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference in Lorne, Victoria. The future for IIPT is still strong, as the world continues to seek peace. The tourism industry is still one of the strongest and most valuable tools that we have to achieve this. Without peace there is no tourism industry.

The Australian Indigenous Tourism Conference 2018

Peace parks, recognition of leaders and participation in tourism conferences are some of the ways that demonstrate tourism’s role in promoting peace. The other most important role is the Australian travel agent. We want you to take up the challenge and actively supporting IIPT, adopting the credo of the peaceful traveller and promoting at every opportunity the importance of responsible and sustainable tourism which leads to a peaceful world.

afta.com.au

Published in AFTA TRAVEL PAGES 2019, The official guide of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents

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