International Institute for Peace through Tourism

12/31/2025

A message from our President, Ajay Prakash...

Dear Friends and Partners in Peace Through Tourism,

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, we do so with both humility and resolve.

The year 2025 has tested humanity in profound ways. Around the world, conflict, climate disruption, social polarization, economic uncertainty, and the erosion of trust have challenged our shared sense of stability and compassion. For many communities, travel itself became more complex - shaped by fear, fragility, and forces beyond individual control.

Yet, even in these difficult times, one truth has remained constant: Tourism, when guided by conscience, remains one of humanity’s most powerful instruments for peace.

At IIPT, we have always believed that travel is more than movement - it is a meeting of hearts, cultures, and values. In 2025, we witnessed countless examples of this belief in action: destinations choosing sustainability over short-term gain; communities welcoming visitors as partners rather than consumers; and travellers seeking meaning, respect, and connection in a divided world.

These acts, often quiet, often unseen, are seeds of peace.

As we look toward 2026, we do so with renewed hope and responsibility. Next year marks 40 years since the founding of IIPT, born from Louis D’Amore’s visionary belief that tourism could be a force for global peace. That vision is not only relevant today, it is urgently needed.

The future of travel must be reimagined:

From extraction to regeneration
From volume to value
From isolation to solidarity
Peace is not passive. It is built through intentional choices - by governments, industry leaders, educators, communities, and travellers themselves. Every journey carries the potential to reduce fear, deepen understanding, and affirm our shared humanity.

In 2026, let us recommit to tourism that heals rather than harms; that listens before it leads and which places people, planet, and peace at its core.

On behalf of IIPT, I extend my deepest gratitude to all who continue to believe, and act, on the principle that every journey matters, and every traveller can be an Ambassador for Peace.

May the New Year bring clarity where there is confusion, dialogue where there is division, and hope where it is most needed.

With peace, purpose, and promise,

Ajay Prakash
Global President
International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT)

10/08/2025

World Tourism Day Message
From Ajay Prakash, Global President of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT)

Today, as we mark World Tourism Day, we do so against the backdrop of turmoil and uncertainty. Wars and conflicts continue to shatter lives in many parts of the world; families are torn apart, and countless innocent lives are lost every day. At the same time, climate change poses an existential threat that could overwhelm our planet and jeopardize the very future of humanity.

In the face of these challenges, we must remind ourselves of a simple truth: tourism is, at its core, an industry of people. It is about human encounters - about connecting across boundaries of race, religion, nationality, and ideology. Tourism builds bridges where politics often builds walls; it fosters understanding where ignorance breeds fear; it has the power to create dialogue where otherwise there might be only silence, or worse, violence.

We know that peace promotes tourism. But on this day, let us reflect on the equally important question: Can tourism promote peace? At IIPT, we believe the answer is yes.

Tourism offers one of the most powerful vehicles for dialogue and cross-cultural encounters. By enabling people to experience the beauty, traditions, and shared humanity of others, tourism has the capacity to dissolve the “otherness” that so often fuels conflict. Tourism has a unique role to play in cultivating empathy, in encouraging dialogue, and in demonstrating that what unites us as human beings is far greater than what divides us.

As stakeholders in one of the world’s largest industries, we cannot remain passive. With our reach, our resources, and our responsibility, we are called to lead. The tourism industry must recognize its moral obligation: to nurture peace, to promote sustainability, and to safeguard the fragile beauty of our world for generations yet to come. We must ensure that tourism is not merely an economic activity, but a movement for peace, resilience, and hope.

There is an old Inuit saying: “You do not inherit the earth from your ancestors, you hold it in trust for your children.” Let this be our pledge on World Tourism Day - that we will use the power of tourism to leave the world a better, safer, and more peaceful place than we found it.

Together, let us reaffirm our commitment to be not just beneficiaries, but builders of peace.

Ajay Prakash

08/10/2025

News from Donald King:

Donald King, IIPT Ambassador at Large, recently led a team to Jordan where they visited the Azraq Wetlands — an official IIPT Peace Park — and the Al-Awn Community Center in Azraq, which supports nearly 150 Syrian refugee children.

The center, now an official IIPT partner, welcomed the group warmly and hosted a joyful event involving local youth.

Donald presented plaques to six teachers and the director in recognition of their dedication to "helping heal the wounds of conflict."

07/30/2025

Happy Friendship Day!

“Ready to travel the world, one paw-step at a time 🐾✈️ Sometimes, the best companions for peace and exploration come with whiskers and paws. Here’s to journeys filled with curiosity, kindness, and unexpected friends along the way. 🎉🌍

”

07/15/2025

The IIPT Caux Peace Park was inaugurated at the Caux Democracy Forum Opening Ceremony on 8 July 2025 in the presence of Olivier Gfeller, Mayor or Montreux, Andreas Larentzakis, Executive Director of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism, and Jacqueline Coté, president of the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation.

As a recognized IIPT Peace Park, the Caux Palace becomes part of a network that includes over 450 locations worldwide, such as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Victoria Falls, and Pietermaritzburg. These spaces serve as symbolic and practical sites for cultivating peace, celebrating cultural and historical heritage, and encouraging responsible tourism and sustainability.

By joining the Peace Parks network, the Caux Initiatives of Change Foundation affirms its long-standing commitment to:

Promoting peace and global understanding
Encouraging environmental awareness and sustainable development
Creating space for inclusive dialogue and trust-building across communities and cultures
The Peace Parks Initiative , is a global network coordinated by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). This initiative aims to foster peace and environmental stewardship by recognizing meaningful places around the world as spaces for reflection, dialogue, and connection.

A partnership for a more inclusive and peaceful world

IIPT’s vision and commitment is to make travel and tourism the world’s largest “Global Peace Industry” and invites every traveller to become an Ambassador of Peace which aligns with Caux Initiatives of Change’s core mission: to bring people together across cultures and sectors, foster trust, and inspire action for a more inclusive and peaceful world. The two organisations have pledges to further develop their partnership for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

06/18/2025

Our IIPT Chairman, Timothy Marshall, recently shared the inspiring work being done by Kind Traveler—a socially conscious platform that’s reimagining the way we travel. There’s so much to explore, so we encourage you to take a moment and visit their website: kindtraveler.com. You might just find your next meaningful journey. 🌍✈️💚

Positively impact the communities you visit through a 350+ partner network of destinations, hotels, and charities in 25 countries.

06/02/2025

IIPT Members Gail Parsonage, Andreas Larentzakis, and Timothy Marshall stand before a monument in Gallipoli, Türkiye, inscribed with the words of Atatürk: “You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country, therefore, rest in peace.”

05/06/2025

IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park

IIPT - The International Institute for Peace through Tourism and Mayor Birol Arslan of Kepez-Çanakkale Türkiye, dedicated the IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park on 23rd April 2025 which coincided with the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Türkiye.

The location of the Peace Park along the foreshore of the Dardanelles looks on to the Gallipoli Peninsula which was a major theatre of war during World War 1, especially between the English, Australia, New Zealand and Türkiye. However, after 110 years, the adversity between these countries has been replaced with respect, reconciliation, peace and friendship, which are the principles and objectives of IIPT.

The dignitaries which attended the official proceedings were Mayor Arslan and Municipal Members from Kepez Çanakkale; Meridian Biziak, representing the Australian Embassy; Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the IIPT Board; Gail Parsonage, President, IIPT Australia; Jovan Popescu, President, IIPT Serbia and Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director.

As the day was also the Türkiye National Children’s Day, the event featured vocal and dance performances by the children of Çanakkale, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria. It was a true representation of bringing together peace and friendship through the children of the world.

That evening a dinner was hosted by Mrs Ruveyde Ergon, owner of the Iris Hotel Çanakkale, for the Mayor and the Official Party and the organizing committee headed by Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director and Sevil Ören Konachi IIPT Representative Turkey.

Iris Hotel was also awarded membership to IIPT Global Peace Hotels.

Timothy Marshall, IIPT Chair brought greetings on behalf of IIPT founder Mr. Lou D’Amore and Global President Mr. Ajay Prakash. Mr Marshall stated that “Our presence here today is to salute the important recognition of children in Türkiye and around the world, to formalize our partnership with Türkiye, and to lay the groundwork for great collaboration in the months and years to come.

The IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park – Çanakkale, Türkiye, joins over 450 IIPT Global Peace Parks with the objective 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; Create common ground for the community to come together in celebration of their nation’s people, land and heritage; and to reflect on the connectedness to planet Earth and the key role of Tourism in contributing to a more sustainable and peaceful world.

04/30/2025

We are proud to announce the opening of the IIPT Olive Peace Park in Çanakkale, Türkiye, on April 23—just ahead of Anzac Day—at a site of profound historical significance and enduring hope for peace. This special day also coincided with the National Sovereignty and Children’s Day in Turkiye.

Anzac Day, observed each year on April 25, commemorates the landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) at Gallipoli in 1915 during World War I. It is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made, and a powerful call to ensure that such history guides us toward peace.

The opening of the new Olive Peace Park, dedicated as part of our ongoing global IIPT Peace Parks program, was attended by Mayor Arslan and Municipal Members from Kepez Canakkale; Meridian Biziak, representing the Australian Embassy; Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the IIPT Board; Gail Parsonage, President, IIPT Australia; Jovan Popescu, President, IIPT Serbia and Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director.alongside our partners and kindred peace builders from around the world.

🌿 IIPT Peace Parks are living legacies — spaces that symbolize reconciliation, cultural respect, environmental stewardship, and our shared commitment to building a Culture of Peace through Tourism.

We thank our partners in this special dedication, as well as all the remarkable individuals who came together to support this powerful moment of remembrance and renewal.

Read more here...
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7321162005199917057

04/21/2025

We talk a lot about peace — but it means something different to everyone. Which of these speaks to you most?

What does peace feel like to you?
❤️ Safety
😄 Belonging
😌 Calm
💬 Something else? Please share your answer in the comments!