Travel for Peace Archives - International Institute For Peace Through Tourism IIPT

Sexual Abuse Survivor Claire McFarlane the Ambassador for Peace through Tourism IIPT

Thu, 17 May 2018 19:28:16 +0000

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

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Bea Broda Productions the sixth Charter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:52:13 +0000

Bea Broda Productions is the latest charter member of the IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign. Bea has been producing, writing and hosting travel television shows since 1987, including “Passport to Adventure” and “Timeless Places.” Her current series, “Outta Town Adventures,” travels both near and far to discover the best adventures the destinations have to offer.

This TV series is dedicated to presenting history, culture and geography in a fun and positive way, with the objective of effectively communicating the joyful aspects of human interaction that are facilitated by tourism. It encourages people to explore this beautiful world – something that starts with simply getting out of town!

Bea is a Past President of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) and travels to as many as 15 countries a year for her productions. Her experience meeting people from every culture has helped to make her a dedicated advocate of the concept of travelers finding common ground with those that they meet, and thereby fostering peace through tourism.

Through her production company, BC Pictures, she also publishes a video-rich website whose news section is known as www.travel video.tv, and presents positive travel news and information about all the countries in the world. Her Youtube channels, www.youtube.com/travelvideotv and www.youtube.com/virtualcanada, have each achieved views in the millions.

It’s of tremendous importance to Bea to report travel in a truthful, yet compassionate way, with a goal of desensitizing people to the fear of traveling to unfamiliar places and encouraging the enjoyment of communicating with all of our global family while practicing the “IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler” and the belief that we are all one earth – one family as represented in the Padre Johnson iconic “Portrait of the Global Family” – please see above article.

Other Charter members of the IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign are: World Expeditions, Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG), Sacred Himalaya Travel, The Cultural Angle and Travel Unwrapped

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Travel Unwrapped the fifth Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:33:46 +0000

IIPT is proud to announce that Travel Unwrapped the cultural travel specialists, is the latest charter member of the IIPT “Travel for Peace” Campaign.

Rebecca Fielding, Co-Founder and CEO, stated “Travel Unwrapped is proud to be a charter member of IIPT’s ‘Travel for Peace” campaign as its aim resonates with our belief that travel holds a cultural imperative for us all, and that travelling is a better experience when we immerse ourselves in the world around us, with discovery at the heart of our journeys – that travel is a vital part of life and that seeing the world can change the world and ourselves.”

Staff of Travel Unwrapped are knowledgeable, experienced and a dedicated team that have travelled the world to understand the true beauty of each destination – creating holidays which have cultural experiences at their core.

DNA Unwrapped is the unique flagship product of Travel Unwrapped whereby clients are able to discover their DNA origins and to travel following their DNA and immersing themselves with the people and cultures of their ancestral roots learning more about themselves, their origins and others.

The IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign is a major initiative of IIPT’s 30th Anniversary Year in support of the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development – and the UNWTO “Travel – Enjoy – Respect” campaign. It seeks to engage travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, airlines and other sectors of the global travel and tourism industry to join with IIPT in encouraging every traveler to be an “Ambassador for Peace” by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler and the ethic inherent in the iconic Padre Johnson portrait of the Global Family reminding us that we are “One Earth One Family.”

The program aim is to create awareness among all travelers that the privilege of traveling provides them with a unique opportunity to learn more about our common home – planet earth, the wonder of its natural beauty, its many diverse peoples, cultures and heritage – and in the process to foster mutual respect, understanding and appreciation with each person they encounter.

Collaborating with IIPT in the design of an interactive website are Mr.Prakash Sikchi, Co-founder of Inspirock and Jeff Crist, Managing Partner, Crist Consulting Group. Inspirock recently received the Brand USA innovation award because of the impact their free trip planner can have in promoting tourism. <http://www.inspirock.com/> http://www.inspirock.com/CristConsultinghttp://www.crist.com <http://www.crist.com/>

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Flight Center Travel Group the third Charter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:20:29 +0000

IIPT is proud to announce that ghe Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) is the newest member of the IIPT Coalition of Partners for Peace through Tourism. FCTG is an Australian-based international travel company and the largest retail travel outlet in Australia. After starting with one shop in the early 1980s, FCTG has enjoyed remarkable growth to become a $17 billion business consisting of more than 30 brands.

One of the world’s largest travel agency groups, it has company-owned operations in 11 countries and a corporate travel management network that spans more than 75 countries. It employs more than 18,000 people globally and has a total of 2500 stores. FCTG operates many specialist brands, including FCM Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveller, Campus Travel, CiEvents, Stage & Screen Travel Services, Student Flights, Escape Travel, Cruiseabout, Quickbeds, Liberty Travel, GoGo Worldwide Vacations & Worldwide Traveler.

Flight Centre Travel Group’s purpose is “to open up the world for those who want to see”. The company works closely with a pool of preferred suppliers and tour operators to develop and promote attractive and responsible holiday options to ensure future generations can experience the world’s natural attractions. It also offers a range of tours built around social and environmental causes, including volunteering.

As an IIPT Coalition Partner, Flight centre group will join the movement to encourage travelers around the world to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler (below) and the travel ethic inherent in the iconic Portrait of the Global Family by renown artist Padre Johnson – that we are “One Earth One Family.”

Coalition Partners are encouraged to distribute the copyrighted IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler along with the iconic “Portrait of the Global Family” by renown artist Padre Johnson.

The aim is to create awareness among all travelers that the privilege of traveling provides them with a unique opportunity to learn more about our common home – planet earth, the wonder of its natural beauty, its many diverse peoples, cultures and heritage – and in the process to foster mutual respect, understanding and appreciation with each person they encounter.

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Sacred Himalaya Travel Second Charter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:14:02 +0000

We are most pleased to announce that Sacred Himalaya Travel is the Second Charter member of the IIPT “Travel for Peace” Campaign.

Sacred Himalaya travel specializes in adventure, pilgrimage and community tourism tours in Bhutan and other Himalayan nations of Nepal, Tibet and India. Charter membership follows the recent launch of the “Travel for Peace” campaign at a World Expeditions Responsible Travel Symposium. Key officers of Sacred Himalaya Travel are: Tshetem Norbu, Managing Director and Guide; Laxmi, General Manager and Wendy Erd, international tour agent.

The IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign will invite all Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotel Companies, Airlines, Cruise Lines and Travel Publications to become members of the campaign and join in the movement to encourage travelers around the world to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler (below) and the travel ethic inherent in the iconic Portrait of the Global Family by renown artist Padre Johnson – that we are “One Earth One Family.”

Members will be encouraged to distribute the copyrighted IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler along with the iconic “Portrait of the Global Family” by renown artist Padre Johnson.

Collaborating with IIPT and Skål International in designing an interactive website will be Mr. Prakash Sikchi, Co-founder of Inspirock and Jeff Crist, Managing Partner, Crist Consulting Group. The website will be a place where Travelers for Peace can share their stories and interact with one another.

On becoming the second charter member of “Travel for Peace” – Wendy Erd commented that “IIPT was an inspiration for us from our very beginnings as a tour company in Bhutan. Over the years what wonderful connections I’ve seen grow between Bhutanese and foreign friends. Guests leave with a refreshed sense of kindness and compassion.. a shift that seems to radiate out to others in their lives after they reach home. And equally Bhutanese friends keep in touch with those they’ve met from overseas. This beautiful cord that shimmers.”

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World Expeditions first Charter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign

Thu, 17 May 2018 18:05:33 +0000

At the recent World Expeditions’ Responsible Travel Symposium in Toronto, IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore announced the IIPT “Travel for Peace Campaign” and World Expeditions as the first charter member.

Louis D’Amore presenting IIPT Plaque with Credo of the Peaceful Traveler and image of the Global Family to Nathalie Gauthier, World Expeditions North American manager. Also in the photo: Jeremy Campbell, Intuitive Expeditions on the left; Donna Lawrence, World Expeditions; sustainability advocate, to the right of Mr. D’Amore; Kevin MacDonald, University of Toronto and Melissa Matlow, World Animal Protection.

The IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign will invite all Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotel Companies, Airlines, Cruise Lines and Travel Publications to become members of the campaign and join in the movement to encourage travelers around the world to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler and the travel ethic inherent in the belief that we are “One Earth One Family.”

Members will be asked to distribute the copyrighted IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler along with the iconic “Portrait of the Global Family” by renown artist Padre Johnson.

Prakash has more than 20 years of high-tech experience specializing in machine learning, big data and distributed systems.He holds 25 patents and an MS from Stanford.Inspirock is an innovative start up that uses state of the art technology to transform how users plan and experience a vacation. Their free trip planner ensures that you get the most out of a vacation by helping travelers to customize and collaborate on itineraries to meet their expectations. Website: http://www.inspirock.com/.

Since before people knew what internet was, Jeff has worked with governments and businesses to help them leverage the web for the benefit of their organisations, customers and citizens. Crist Consulting provides Web Design and Application Development, Internet Marketing and SEO and IT Consulting. CristCo is committed to providing well thought out, reliable and cost-effective solutions. This involves a commitment to understanding the customer and every possible aspect of each client’s business. CristCo’s technology experts make it their responsibility to provide clients with the most cost-effective, high quality solutions available.

IIPT Founder and President Louis D’Amore stated, “IIPT was born in 1986 with a vision of travel and tourism becoming the world’s first global peace industry, an industry that supports the belief that ‘every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace.’ The Travel for Peace Campaign will give further momentum to the growing phenomenon of travelers as Peace Ambassadors. We are honored to have World Expeditions as the First Charter member and Skal International, Inspirock and Crist Consulting Group partnering with us in this 30th anniversary year legacy project.”

Nigel Pilkington stated: “Skål International is proud to be associated with IIPT and is fully supportive of the Travelers for Peace Campaign. In 2015 over 1 billion people travelled internationally according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and this figure is expected to grow. We need to engage with travelers and make them aware of the impact they have when traveling & how by making informed decisions around their travel,and how they interact with local communities, they can make a difference.”

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Global journey for peace and world record launched at IIPT World Symposium

Wed, 16 May 2018 11:28:39 +0000

Cassandra (Cassie) De Pecol will be a special guest at the IIPT World Symposium: Cultivating Sustainable and Peaceful Communities and Nations through Tourism, Culture and Sport being held at Emperors Palace, Ekurhuleni, South Africa, 16 to 19 February, 2015.

The Symposium honors the legacies of the world’s three champions of peace and non-violent resistance, Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. with the aim of furthering their legacies by building bridges of tourism, friendship and peace in regions throughout the world.

The action oriented Symposium will feature the launch of Cassie’s global journey to all 195 of the world’s sovereign nations as she sets out to break a world record while traveling as an IIPT Ambassador for Peace and promoting “Peace through Tourism” in each of the nations, cities, towns and villages that she visits.

Cassie will begin her journey on 1 July, 2015 with the goal of visiting all 195 sovereign nations in less than three years, thereby setting a new Guinness World record and as well becoming the youngest person to do so – and also the first woman.

Cassie will be traveling as a “global citizen” as she promotes “Peace through Tourism” with the endorsement of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT). IIPT will also support Cassie’s global journey by arranging for her to be met by Ministers of Tourism where possible as well as mayors of cities, towns and villages she plans to visit in each country.

Cassie stated: “I’m going to be presenting them a declaration of peace, doing photo ops and meeting with children, youth and people of my generation, discussing ‘Peace’ and what it means to them.” She also aims to be a source of inspiration to everyone she meets. In particular, she is “Hoping to influence people of my generation to pursue their dreams and a rewarding, fulfilled life.”

A further goal of the record setting global journey is to promote the IIPT/Skal Cities, Towns and Villages initiative with the hope that Cassie’s visits will also inspire Cities, Towns and Villages along the way to “agree to be actively committed to promoting values of tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, environmental integrity, and sustainablehuman, social and economic development.”

Cassie’s goal of promoting “Peace through Tourism” will continue after her trip with the release of a documentary that will be shown in theaters and on Netflix and paired with other materials to serve as a tool kit for high school and college classes, she said. Cassie also plans to visit schools and speak about her travels and “Peace through Tourism” while she also urges them to live their dreams.

Cassie has considerable travel experience having traveled to the Amazon, Turkey, Italy, Egypt and several other countries while doing internships in renewable hospitality at hotels across the world.

Courtesy photo Cassie De Pecol in the cockpit of a four-seater in the Ecuadorian Amazon with Achuar symbolic face paint on

Cassie’s trip has been seven months in the planning stages and while she has some investors and celebrity endorsements, she is now looking for corporate sponsors to help fund her trip.

Cassie also aims to build a community around her trip, inviting interested persons to join her through social media. She has a multitude of pages — Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, Pinterest and will be doing weekly Youtube videos to show highlights of where she’s been. A live tracking system will show her location on a map on her website and she’ll host Q & A’s on her blog.

“I’m excited to get a culture, a community going of people who are interested in this sort of thing. I’m hoping people will get involved,” she said.

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Cassie De Pecol IIPT Ambassador for Peace

Sun, 13 May 2018 11:23:48 +0000

Travel for Peace Ambassador

There are several elements to this Expedition. Spreading peace through tourism and economics is one of them, promoting sustainability is another, and advocating women’s rights and achievement is another. Then there’s the YouTube vlogs, which showcase the beauty of many of these nations that I visit. The educational documentary that I’m filming to be used in part with a tool-kit and book written with the students I’ve spoken to all over the world. I also promote my sponsors as well.

People often say that there’s no way I can preach sustainability when I fly so much, and they’re right.

I’m not saying that I’m a sustainable traveler, but I am working towards being one with each tree that I plant with the students on this Expedition (45 so far in 12 countries), collecting water samples to test for the presence of micro-plastics to send to Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation, staying in and promoting sustainable/regenerative hotels, and most importantly, educating university students who are studying tourism, on the importance of responsible travel and incorporating or keeping in mind the elements of sustainable/regenerative hospitality and tourism. Many students I’ve spoken to have no idea what sustainability even means, so it’s my job to educate them on this and encourage them to support responsible tourism best practices when pursuing internships and throughout their careers.

Peace through Tourism can really be best understood by educating the students on how we can quantify peace through a series of criteria set fourth by the Institute for Economics and Peace. Once we understand this criteria, we can then work towards creating a more peaceful and united world.

In regards to the tourism aspect of it, this is where I engage the Ministry and Mayors, where they also attend these keynote sessions and I present to them the ‘IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler’ set fourth by the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism of which I’m endorsed. Together, we discuss how tourism can be a mediator between peace and conflict, and a way to further friendship among Nations as well as providing humanitarian assistance. For instance, a sustainable hotel partnering with Pack for a Purpose, where guests can bring educational supplies to then distribute to local schools in need in the area where they’re vacationing.

Since starting my Expedition, I’ve spoken to over 12,500 students and dignitaries across 33 countries, and continue to be approached by the youth (both young women and young men) in regards to how they can pursue their dreams after listening to my talk.

As a young woman myself, I like to think that I can set the standard for young women worldwide to pursue a quest or dream that is out of the norm or that everyone tells them they shouldn’t do.

It’s my job to leave a legacy behind that positively influences future generations of innovators, entrepreneurs and trend setters, especially when it comes to women.

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