After 37 years, Louis D’Amore, Founder and President of IIPT, the International Institute for Peace through Tourism has retired with Ajay Prakash, President of the IIPT India Chapter and CEO of Nomad Travels, accepting the role of International President for IIPT.
Louis D’Amore handing over the IIPT “Baton” to Ajay Prakash
Lou’s vision and mission to making Travel and Tourism the world’s first global peace industry and promoting the belief that every traveler and host destination is potentially an “Ambassador for Peace” is still the foundation for IIPT.
During Lou’s tender he presided over numerous conferences, world summits and international meetings, with more than 6,000 persons from 120 countries coming together to share their experiences, ideas, insights, wisdom and commitment to the IIPT vision. More than 1200 case studies of “Success Stories” and models of “Best Practice” have been presented which demonstrate and showcase the social, economic, cultural, environmental and political dimensions of tourism.
There have been several Declarations emanating from these international conferences, with the most notable being the Amman Declaration, officially adopted as a UN Document and stated in part “that the global reach of the tourism industry be utilized in promoting dialogues on peace”. Also the “Lusaka Declaration on Sustainable Tourism and Climate Change and Peace” the first to address climate change affecting Tourism.
There are many other achievements, to mention just a few include over 450 Global Peace Parks being established, Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism, PATA Green Leaf Program, First International Study of Tourism and Sustainable Development and the formation of IIPT Chapters throughout the world.
Ajay Prakash takes over the leadership of IIPT and states “the values and goals will remain and the work ahead will be to build and enhance on the foundation and legacy that has been laid by Louis D’Amore”.