The 3rd annual Global Summit on Peace
through Tourism is taking place this week in Pattaya, Thailand. Tourism topics covered include cultural, community,
indigenous and inter-faith tourism, all in the context of what can be done in collaboration as a global family.
Huggy-feely sounding, I know, but dialogue like this is essential, in whatever form. There are lots of sessions that
talk about the involvement of youth in building a more peaceful world for all travelers, and particular emphasis is
placed on environmental concerns as well as political unrest, terrorism and natural disasters.
This conference in organized by the International Institute for Peace Through
Tourism. Founded in 1986, the IIPT is a Vermont-based organization dedicated to fostering tourism initiatives which
facilitate peaceful interaction between cultures. I like their belief that every traveler is potentially an Ambassador
for Peace. They have a peaceful traveler credo that supports their
mission.