IIPT and Zambia host joint announcement of 5th African conference

STOWE, Vermont, USA – The International Institute for Peace through Tourism, together with the Ministry of Tourism, Environment, and Natural Resources, Republic of Zambia, will announce the 5th IIPT African Conference on Tuesday, November 9, 2010, at World Travel Market, ExCel Centre, London. Theme of the Conference will be: Meeting the Challenges of Climate Change to Tourism in Africa.

All World Travel Market exhibitors and attendees are welcome to join the Hon. Catherine Namugala, MP, Minister of Tourism, Environment, and Natural Resources, Republic of Zambia; Louis D’Amore, IIPT founder and president; and other tourism industry leaders to learn more about this milestone event and to share their insights, ideas, and recommendations in this interactive session. The announcement will be made: Tuesday, November 9, 1530–1630 hours, North Gallery 4 & 5, ExCel Centre.

Climate change is a major threat to sustainable growth and development in Africa and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Although Africa is the continent least responsible for climate change, it is particularly vulnerable to the effects. Impacts of climate change include increased incidence of both drought and flooding, desertification, sea level rise, reduced freshwater availability, decreasing fish resources, cyclones, coastal erosion, deforestation, loss of forest quality, woodland degradation, coral bleaching, the spread of malaria, and impacts on food security – all of which have an impact on tourism.

With the support of the Norwegian government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Zambia has embarked on development of a comprehensive national climate change response strategy. Speaking during the official opening of the National Inception Workshop for the development of the strategy earlier this year, Hon. Catherine Namugala emphasized that “the process of formulating the national climate change response strategy will be based on a broad stakeholder consultation and active participation.”

This World Travel Market participatory session will address how Zambia is responding to the adverse impacts of climate change – and encourage an exchange of views, ideas, and suggestions in exploring the broader tourism implications and challenges for all of Africa and throughout the developing world – in preparation for the 5th IIPT African Conference to be held in Zambia, 2011.

Persons interested in learning more about the announcement at World Travel Market and/or the 5th IIPT African Conference, are invited to contact Louis D’Amore, Email: [email protected] .

ABOUT INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR PEACE THROUGH TOURISM

IIPT is dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives, which contribute to international understanding and cooperation; an improved quality of environment; the preservation of heritage, poverty reduction, and the resolution of conflict – and through these initiatives, help bring about a more peaceful and sustainable world. IIPT is dedicated to mobilizing travel and tourism, the world’s largest industry, as the world’s first “Global Peace Industry,” an industry that promotes and supports the belief that “Every traveler is potentially an ambassador for peace.”

For more information on IIPT, please visit website: www.iipt.org .