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African Tourism Board is now a non profit company with Aloha

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African Tourism Board was approved by the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission of South Africa to become a Non-Profit Company. A certificate was issued on Wednesday, January 8, 2020

“A new era for ATB starts from today”, says Doris Woerfel, CEO of the African Tourism Board. ATB Chairman  Cuthbert Ncube echoed expressing his excitement and commitment to expressing his desire for the African Tourism Board to become the prime voice of the African Travel and Tourism Industry.
Dr. Taleb Rifai gave it a thumb up today.

Juergen Steinmetz, founder of the organization said: “I am proud and humbled to have started this global grass route initiative for Africa and saw it developing into a reality.”

“I feel I brought a little bit of our Aloha Spirit from Hawaii to Africa, becoming an African at heart in this global world”, said Hawaii based founding Chairman Juergen Steinmetz.

African Tourism Board to the World: You have one more day!

“As the founding Chairman of the African Tourism Board, I like to recognize those that had supported me with the idea to form the African Tourism Board from the very beginning. Specifically, I wanted to point out  Carol Weaving from Reed Expo. Without providing our meeting room at the World Travel Market in 2018, and again for our launch at WTM Capetown in 2019,  this organization would not have started.”

The support from our initial members getting active behind the scene and before our launch was essential to get to where we are today. Such support was received

  • Dr. Taleb Rifai (former UNWTO Secretary-General),
  • Professor Geoffrey Lipman (President ICTP),
  • Alain St. Ange (former minister of tourism Seychelles),
  • Hon. Dr. Memunatu Pratt (Minister of Tourism Sierra Leone)
  • Hon. Edmund Bartlett (Minister of Tourism Jamaica),
  • Dr. Walter Mzembi (former Minister of Tourism Zimbabwe),
  • Gayan Anil Kumarsingh (former Minister of Tourism Mauritius)
  • Carol Weaving (Reed Expo),
  • Graham Cooke (World Travel Award),
  • Kameni Lele Francoise (Cameroon),
  • Louis D’Amore (IIPT),
  • Cuthbert Ncube (Kwela Group, South Africa),
  • Doris Woerfel (Southern Cross Experiences (PTY) Ltd, South Africa)
  • Apolinar Tairo, (eTN Tanzania)
  • Dr. Ngwire Mabvuto Percy (Embassy Zambia),
  • Dr. Pstrick Kalifunga (Zambia),  Maimouna Elshafie (Ministry Tourism Sudan) ,
  • Jean Claude Mobali-Banda (Republic of Congo),
  • President Bella, Ghana Tourism Federation (Ghana)
  • Kwakye Donkor  (South Africa, Ghana)
  • Idris Olukoya (News Agency Nigeria),
  • Rosemary Olive Mbon Enie, Salama Heritage (Tanzania),
  • Bea Broda (Travel Video TV, Canada) ,
  • Hermann Man, (Cote d’Ivoire),
  • Limfenyuy Kongnso Cyrille, National Polytechnic University Institute (Cameroon),
  • Gabriella Ribeiro< Tru Marketing (USA),
  • Wayne Johnson (Ecolodge Zaina Lodgem Ghana) 
  • Pascal Viroleau (Vanilla Island Organization, Reunion)
  • Mahmoud Kombo (Minister Tourism Zanzibar)
  • Jamal Boujrad (APEMENTO, Morocco),
  • Gecko’S Incentive and Events (Germany)
  • Yoseph Getnet Teshale Ghion travel and tours (Ethiopia),
  • Tony Smith (iFREE Group, Hong Kong),
  • Ali Rashid (Kenya Revenue Authority),
  • Pia von Waldau, (Inter Media Japan),
  • Kristy Angelotti (South African Tourism USA),
  • Ursula Brown (Cape Info South Africa),
  • Christopher Hill (Hands Up Holidays, New Zealand)
  • Jose Sandoval Zepeda (Orange Gruppo, Mexico),
  • Hans Soltau (Exclusive Africa Tours & Safaris, Namibia)
  • Abel Kimani (Alaitol Sadaris, Tanzania),
  • Gregory DeMelo (Bridgewater State University, USA),
  • Srath Wattegedra (Sunray Travel, Sweden),
  • Don Testa (Trip Ahoy,USA),
  • Joel Manjoko (Ultimate Safaris, Zimbabwe),
  • Rita Cook (The Insider Magazine, USA),
  • Dr. Rolf Herpens (Consulate Seychelles, Germany),
  • Tim Boxer (15 Minute Magazine, USA),
  • Sydney Pierre (LUX Resort, Mauritius),
  • Juan Torrents (FEMOZA, Switzerland),
  • Clive Bishop (Blue Skies Consultancy Group, UK) ,
  • Leo Udtohan (Philippine Daily Inquirer),
  • Nancy Needham (Global Travel & Tourism Partnership GTTP, USA) ,
  • Peter Hargrove (IBR News USA) ,
  • Pathum Wickramarathne (Free Media, Sri Lanka),
  • Shehara Rizly (Durga Das Publications, UAE), 
  • Salvador Alves Dias (News4 Travel, Portugal) ,
  • Manuel Sainz (eBiz Africa Review, Spain) ,
  • Art Fennel, (Fennell Media USA),
  • Ahmed Bassouni Korra (Sawah Tourism News, Egypt),
  • James Nadjope (Justice Tourism Foundation, Uganda) ,
  • Sambo Amadou (Oasis and Dream Resort, Niger),
  • Mercyline Mutarisi (Testimonial Media, Zimbabwe) ,
  • Junisa Precious Gbeteh Sallu Kallon (Juninnho Investments Company Limit, Sierra Leone),
  • Carolyn Anderson (Beyond All Borders, USA),
  • Hashim Mohamed (Kenya Utalii College, Kenya),
  • Craig Rix (Travel Africa Magazine, UK) ,
  • Helen Peek ( Zanzibar Association of Tourism Investors, Tanzania) ,
  • Dr. Isa Byona, ( Africa Sustainable Tourism Care Foundation, Uganda),
  • Ariel Azoff (Atlas Obscura, South Africa),
  • Anton Vosloo (Lelobu Safaris, Botswana), 
  • Susanna Hagen (Profi Verlag, Germany)
  • Diana McIntyre-Pike (Countrystyle Community Tourism, Jamaica)
  • David Vequist, (Center for Medical Tourism Research, USA)
  • Tes Proos , (Crystal Events ,South Africa)
  • Sharon Parris-Chambers (Carib News, Jamaica)
  • Joseph Okelo, Global Travel and Tourism Partnership (Kenya)
  • Joey Moscovitch, Mccolline (Madagascar)
  • June Crawford, (Board of Airline Representatives of South Africa)
  • Gregory Bakunzi (Red Rocks Initiatives, Rwanda)
  • The entire global team of eTurboNews
  • International Coalition of Tourism Partner board members

The African Tourism Board is a nonprofit organization with one goal only to bring African Tourism together. More information: www.africantourismboard.com

MEDIA CONTACT: TravelMarketingNetwork, 954 Lexington Ave. #1037, New York, NY 10021 USA, PH: (+1) 718-374-6816, marketing@travelmarketingnetwork.com

African Tourism Board launch on Thursday: More details just released

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The African Tourism Board is ready to be launched in Cape Town on Thursday during the upcoming World Travel Market at the Cape Town International Convention Centre,
Conference Theatre.

A president and a CEO will be introduced during the launch event.
The focus of the launch event is diverse and includes Peace, Environment, Investment, Marketing, and Security.

African Tourism Board will be exhibiting at the World Travel Market on Stand AP12

15.30-15.40 Welcoming remarks

Juergen Steinmetz

Interim chairman of African Tourism Board
Chairman International Coalition of Tourism Partners

Introducing the African Tourism Board, Vision, Board Members, African Leaders,
Introduction of the new ATB President

Tourism, Investments & Peace:
It’s a People Business

15.40-15.55
Dr. Taleb Rifai

Former UNWTO Secretary-General
2015-2017

A special place: Cape Town

15.55-16.00
Enver Duminy
CEO Cape Town Tourism

A Minister of Tourism Speaks:

16.00-16.05
Hon. Moses Vikati

Minister of Tourism & Environmental Affairs
Kingdom of Eswatini, formerly Swaziland

Africa Tourism Leadership Forum and Awards

16.05-16.10

Kwakye Donkor
CEO African Tourism Partner
Ghana & South Africa

The Role of Cameroon Tourism

16.10-16.15

Francoise Kameni Lele
AFBS Cameroon

Travel & Tourism Security and Safety

Keynote Speaker

16.10-16.40
Dr. Peter Tarlow, USA
Travel Security and Safety
www. safertourism.com

African Lung: It’s a launch today

Launch Announcement

16.40-17.00

Professor Geoffrey Lipman
President International Coalition of Tourism Partners
President SunX
The launch of Africa Lung, the most ambitious travel & tourism climate response program with its central focus on Africa.

Reaching out to Overseas Markets

The US Market Potential: Not only New York or Los Angeles

17.00-17.05

Juergen Steinmetz, president eTN Corporation
Inbound markets from USA

Chinese Tourists: How to do it

17.05-17.10

Doris Woerfel, CEO Southern Cross Experience, South Africa
China inbound market for Africa

Travelers from Israel: A huge potential

17.10-17.15

Dov Kalmann, Israel
Israel inbound market for Africa

Why Indians want to explore Africa

17.15-17.20

Arjun Mukund, T&A Consulting, Delhi, India
Indian inbound market for Africa

The Road Forward for African Tourism Board

I have a dream!

17.20-17.30

Alain St. Ange, Seychelles
Former Minister of Tourism Seychelles
President St. Ange Consulting

The Global Trade Show for Africa

17.30

Carol Weaving

Managing Director of Reed Exhibition Africa

Travel News | eTurboNews

Carlos Vogeler starts leading position at Ministry of Tourism in Oman

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It appears the implementation of the National Tourism Strategy of Oman is in excellent hands. Last week Carlos Vogeler started a two-year contract with the Ministry of Tourism of Oman, where he is now leading a team that will support Minister Ahmed bin Nasser Al Mahrizi and his team on implementation.

Carlos Vogeler was considered by many leaders as one of the most influential executives in the travel and tourism world when he served as the executive director of UNWTO under Secretary-General Taleb Rifai. Together with Korean Ambassador Dho Young-shim, Mr. Voegeler was a candidate for UNWTO Secretary-General in 2017.

Mr. Vogeler was with the World Tourism Organization for 9 years. He was honored on November 29, 2017, at the UNWTO Conference on Jobs and Inclusive Growth in Montego Bay by the Hon. Ed Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica.

Before Mr. Carlos Vogeler joined UNWTO in 2005 he was a tenured professor at University “Rey Juan Carlos”, Madrid, at the Dpt. of Business Economics, a regular lecturer at Spanish and International Universities and author of various university textbooks, as well as numerous articles on international tourism structure.

Mr. Vogeler started his career in the private sector at Pullmantur, one of the largest Spanish Tour Operators. During his sixteen years of service from 1974 to 1990, he became Deputy Managing Director and introduced many innovations, namely expanding the number of destinations and products and opening new offices and new markets. He also played an active role in the board of directors of the Spanish Travel Agencies Association of Travel Agencies and in UFTAA (United Federation of Travel Agent’s Associations), where he chaired the committee on road transportation.

From 1991 to 2008 he served in various senior management positions at Group RCI, part of Wyndham Worldwide, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups, quoted in the New York Stock Exchange, where he was Managing Director for South-Western Europe, covering Spain, France, Portugal and Benelux and later Vice president of Global Account Strategy & Industry Relations.

He was elected Chairman of the Affiliate Members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) from 2005 to 2008, representing Group RCI. Since 1997 he had been serving as Vice President of the board of the Affiliate Members and Chairman of the Business Council and member of the UNWTO Strategic Group.

He is also a founding member of the Spanish Association of Experts in Tourism (AECIT) and was a member of the International Association of Experts in Tourism (AIEST).

Carried out his studies in Canada and in Spain, graduating in Tourism Business Administration by “Escuela Oficial de Turismo de Madrid” (now University Rey Juan Carlos) and post-graduate by the IESE Business School, of the University of Navarra – Spain.

Mr. Vogeler was born in Venezuela of Spanish mother and Venezuelan-German father and is a national of Spain and Venezuela.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Africa Tourism is hot: WTTC and the African Tourism Board are on it

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Africa Tourism is hot right now. Overlooked in the past, the tourism potential of the African continent is now becoming visible.

The first African Tourism Board (ATB) is about to be launched in Cape Town during the upcoming World Travel Market Africa in South Africa on April 11 with a list of impressive speakers, ministers, private industry leaders, and stakeholders attending.

A week before the ATB launch in Cape Town on April 11, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) is getting ready for their annual summit in Seville, Spain. With a price tag of $4,000 for a delegate to attend the summit, WTTC is catering to the hundred largest companies in the travel and tourism industry.

Keynote speaker at the summit is none other than former US President Barack Obama who is getting paid an enormous amount of money to share his views on tourism with WTTC CEO Gloria Guevara.

In Cape Town at the African Tourism Board launch, former UNWTO Secretary General Dr. Taleb Rifai is paying his own way, and so are a number of tourism celebrities and stakeholders from both larger and smaller entities. They want to show their excitement and support for the new African Tourism Board and the potential Africa has for new tourism developments. It’s free to attend the African Tourism Board launch event.

In the last 7 days, the news on tourism growth and potential for African destinations couldn’t have been better and must have come as a surprise for many.

WTTC issued one press release after another on their research reports for Africa. eTN received such releases not only from WTTC but also from ministers, embassies, and tourism boards showing their pride and maybe their surprise and encouragement.

African Tourism Board interim Chairman Juergen Steinmetz, who is also CEO of the eTN Corporation, owner of eTurboNews, which is a media partner for WTTC, applauded Gloria Guevara, CEO of WTTC, for putting Africa in the spotlight for the world’s largest travel and tourism companies.

To attend the WTTC summit, click here; to attend the ATB launch, click here.
Anyone attending both events should indicate this on the African Tourism Board launch registration to receive additional extensive visibility.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Global Tourism Resilience Centre Board of Governors announces 2019 projects

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Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett joins Board Members and associates of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) after their second meeting, which was held in Berlin, Germany on March 08, 2019. The team discussed their major projects for 2019

Board Members and associates of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) had their second meeting, in Berlin, Germany today to discuss their major projects, which will be completed this year.

Speaking at the board meeting, Tourism Minister and Chairman of the Center, Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “I am very happy to announce that we are ahead of schedule for many of the plans that we have for the establishment and operations of this very important global institution. Our partners have been very active in securing important potential investors, as well as in the development of our key initiatives.
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett greets Chairman pro-tem of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Dr Taleb Rifai

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

The major 2019 projects include the appointment of the Professorial Chair in Resilience and Innovation at University of the West Indies (UWI); the development of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Tool-Kit; and the development of the Global Tourism Resilience Measurement Framework for Global Tourism Resilience Readiness. They also intend to develop an appropriate Global Indices for Tourism Resilience Readiness, as well as the official GTRCMC Academic Journal.

The Center, with the assistance from East Park Drive and partners, has also engaged several potential investors to fund other projects. Some of these include the Tourism Seismic Readiness Study of International Airports across the Caribbean; Tourism Climate Resilience Awareness Campaign for Small and Medium Size in Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and the Tourism Health and Wellness Audit among SIDS.

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) was launched on January 30, 2019 at the Montego Bay Convention Center and is housed at the UWI.

The focus of the Center includes: Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning; Cyberspace Policy and Counter-Terrorism; Resilience-Related Research Collaborations; Development of Innovation Systems; Coordinating resilience policies with the government, Resource Mobilization, Capacity Building and Cross-Border Intelligence-sharing.

It will also provide research fellowship opportunities for individuals seeking to either expand their knowledge or, gain experience in tourism resilience and crisis management, through postdoctoral research, and internships for undergraduate and graduate students in fields of study related to tourism resilience and crisis management.

The first Board meeting was held on November 4, 2018 at the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel in London, UK. The Board discussed among other things: the thematic focus of the Centre; the location of the Center and, possible satellites in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East as well as Oceania.

Minister Bartlett was accompanied by Dr. Lloyd Waller, Senior Advisor/Consultant and Gis’elle Jones, Research and Risk Management in the Tourism Enhancement Fund, who acted as secretary for the Board of Governors Meeting on the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center. eTN Corporation President Juergen Steinmetz also attended the board meeting.

The team is expected to return to the island on March 09, 2019.

Visit Nepal 2020 launch in Berlin took over ITB last night

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The Nepal Tourism Board and Nepal Embassy in Berlin went all out last night to prepare the world for Visit Nepal 2020 last night.

Organized by eTN Corporation more than 300 VIP guests enjoyed an evening with tasty Nepalese food last night at the Logenhaus Berlin.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

The Visit Nepal 2020 launch event was dedicated to honor the late Nepal Minister of Tourism Rabindra Adhikari, who was instrumental in the launch of this new era in tourism for the Himalayan Republic.

Nandini Lahe-Thapa, the director of marketing for Nepal Tourism Board called for a minute of silence.

She said: “Today, was supposed to be a special day of celebration but as you all know, we have unfortunately lost the Architect of the VN2020 campaign, our beloved Hon. Minister and other members in a tragic air accident a few days back. It was his dream to launch the VN2020 campaign at the ITB.  It was a very difficult decision for us to go ahead with the launch but for Nepal and Nepalis, Resilience is our strongest ……. and we decided that the greatest Tribute to him would be to carry his Vision forward with dedication and determination. We cannot thank you enough for your support by being here today.”

NTP Ceo Deepak Josh explained what tourism to Nepal is all about after presenting a breathtaking video of Nepal.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism Ed Bartlett thanked Nepal for their cooperation in hosting one of the regional global resilience centers. Jamaica is the pioneer and host of the global resilience center project.

Dr. Taleb Rifai, former UNWTO Secretary-General gave a moving tribute to the late Nepalese minister and praised Nepal tourism leadership and the Nepali people.

The keynote address was given by the Hon. Nepalese Ambassador to Germany H.E. Mr. Ramesh Prasad Khanal. The embassy formed a tourism task group under the direct leadership of the ambassador.

Honors were given to Mr. Peter Hinze for his book on Nepal, honors were also recognized for the Nepal tourism representative in Germany of 25 years .

The impressive Nepalese buffet was opened by Mr. Dil Gurung Schauler who was providing the catering.

The year 2020 which is chosen as national tourism year of Nepal after the year 2011 which was the primary authority tourism year of new Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The government and tourism department of Nepal authoritatively reported that Nepal will take the year 2020 as “Visit Nepal 2020”, a year committed to tourism industry of Nepal with vision of making a reasonable brand picture of Nepal as travel and vacationer destination, backing up the tourism foundations of Nepal, enhance the growth of tourism industry, and enhance local tourism as supportable industry. The legislature has wanted to accommodate more than one million visitors amid the year of “Visit Nepal 2020” and already far exceeded this number.

More information on Visit Nepal 2020: https://www.nepalvisit2020.com/

Visit Nepal 2020 Launch to Honor the Life of a Tourism Hero

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Nepal is known as a country of beauty and resilience when it comes to the travel and tourism industry. Nepal is also known to have some of the most dedicated people running their nation’s tourism industry. Many of them will be attending the ITB travel trade show in Berlin from March 6-10 to celebrate one of their own tourism heros, the late Nepal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari.

The Nepal Tourism Board in cooperation with the Nepal Embassy in Berlin, has planned a launch event of “Visit Nepal 2020” at a VIP dinner on March 7 on the sidelines of ITB and organized by the eTN Corporation.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

There will be 252 VIPs in attendance, including several ministers of tourism including Jamaica Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, who is the person behind the global tourism resilience initiative. There will be ambassadors, the former UNWTO secretary general Taleb Rifai, top Nepal travel suppliers (buyers and sellers), and media from around the world who have registered to attend.

The ITB launch for “Visit Nepal 2020” will be dedicated to the late Nepal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari.

He was instrumental in the finalization of “Visit Nepal 2020” and had been working endlessly until last week to make this important milestone a success.

The late Nepal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari, was to attend the dinner in Berlin, but less than a week before the launch, he passed away in a tragic helicopter accident after visiting a new airport project and a temple in Southern Nepal.

Nepal Minister for Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation, Rabindra Adhikari.

Nepal Tourism officials put great thought into whether or not they should move forward with the event at ITB or if it would be appropriate to delay due to the Minister’s death. After careful consideration, it was decided that the hard work of their late minister would be his best legacy, and they came to the consensus to go forward with the “Visit Nepal 2020” event on Thursday.

In honor of Minister Adhikari’s vision, this planned evening of culture and Nepalese cuisine will now also be an evening to gather and remember the late Minister Rabindra Adhikari with respect for his tireless efforts and gratitude for his foresight for the future of Nepal’s tourism industry.

After taking the helm at the Ministry in February of last year, Adhikari, 49, had undertaken a series of policies to reform Nepal’s civil aviation sector. He took prompt steps to improve conditions at Nepal’s only international airport, Tribhuvan International Airport, and pursued the reactivation of several domestic airports. Adhikari also held several rounds of talks with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) which recognized some of the steps he had taken on the safety of Nepal travel.

The year 2020 was chosen as the national tourism year of Nepal after the year 2011 which was the primary authority tourism year of the new Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal. The government and tourism department of Nepal authoritatively reported that Nepal will take the year 2020 as “Visit Nepal 2020,” a year committed to the tourism industry of Nepal with the vision of making a reasonable brand picture of Nepal as a travel and vacation destination. This vision supports the tourism foundation of Nepal, enhances the growth of the nation’s tourism industry, and enriches local tourism as a supportable industry.

Beginning in 2016 and 2017, the government began making arrangements and laying a foundation to formally initiate the open connection program for “Visit Nepal 2020.”

The legislature aims to accommodate more than two million visitors amid the year of this important Tourism program.

For more information on the launch event, go to buzz.travel/nepal.

IIPT India Announces the Winners of the 4th Celebrating Her awards at ITB Berlin

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For the fourth consecutive year ITB Berlin will play host to the International Institute for Peace – India’s (IIPT India) Global Awards for Empowered Women in Tourism – “Celebrating Her.”

The IIPTI Global Awards, “Celebrating Her” are intended to acknowledge and felicitate exceptional women in the fields of travel, tourism and hospitality; individuals with a clarity of vision and mission who understand and believe that tourism, perhaps the biggest industry in the world, could become the first global peace industry and who have committed themselves to fostering the tourism business as a vehicle for peace.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

Five exceptional women from the world of tourism will be felicitated at the 4th edition of the Awards for their achievements and for their contribution to promoting tourism as a vehicle for peace and understanding.

The Awards will be held from 1400 to 1500 at the Palais am Funkturm (Hall 19) on the ITB fairgrounds on Thu 07 March and will be followed by a networking reception from 1500 to 1530.

Key speakers at the awards include Dr. Taleb Rifai, former Secretary General of UNWTO (2010 – 2017), H.E. Eliza Reid, First Lady of Iceland, The Hon. Marie-Christine Stephenson, Minister of Tourism and Creative Industries, Haiti and others.

The Celebrating Her award winners for 2019 are:

H.E. Rania al Mashat – Minister of Tourism for Egypt for Tourism Policy and Leadership

Helen Marano – Founder & President, Maranao Perspectives for Building Global Alliances that promote Tourism as a Force for Good

Mechtild Maurer – General Director, ECPAT Germany for promoting Socially Responsible Tourism

Jane Madden – Managing Partner, Global Sustainability & Social Impact, FINN Partners for Sustainability and promoting Corporate Social Responsibility

Hon. Elena Kountoura – Minister of Tourism for Greece for Tourism Strategy and Resilience

Commenting on the Awards, Ajay Prakash, President of IIPT India says, “Each one of our winners this year is a champion; these ladies have reached the top of their chosen paths in tourism and are an inspiration. The Awards are being held on the eve of International Women’s Day but our champions need to be felicitated every day of the year.

Gender equality, which is a critical part of the United Nations SDGs, is intrinsic to IIPT’s global aims and objectives and integral to fostering peace. Through the Awards we’re aiming to create a network of powerful women across the world who would serve as role models and mentors while they represent IIPT as our Global Ambassadors of Peace.”

Dr. Talib Rifai, former Secretary General of UNWTOP and Chair of IIPT’s International Advisory Board says, “Celebrating Her is a timely initiative. Travel and tourism has become today’s grand human activity, greatly affecting the life and livelihood of people and communities and in turn, Peace and Sustainable Development all over the world.

Leaders in travel and tourism should be the first to recognize that we cannot anymore go about life, progress, development and building peace without HER and without reintegrating half of the human community in advancing towards our goals. It is, therefore, only natural that IIPT India, the country that is standing up bravely to achieving our goals, picks up the issue on behalf of all of us – To state clearly that, CELEBRATING HER IS CELEBRATING US”

Rika Jean-Francois, CSR Commissioner for ITB Berlin – co-presenters of the Awards, said “ ITB is extremely delighted to have partnered with IIPT India to give out these important awards. There are so many amazing women in the tourism industry who are doing an excellent job, committed to improving conditions, who are often never seen, never officially recognized. We are proud to foster change.”

Founded in 1986 by Louis D’Amore, IIPT is built on two very simple but powerful premises: That tourism, perhaps the biggest industry in the world, can become the first global Peace Industry and that every tourist is potentially an Ambassador of Peace. Through global summits, conferences, workshops, awards, the global Peace Parks initiative, consultations with governments and the UNWTO and a regular newsletter, IIPT has worked conscientiously over the last 30 plus years to make peace an integral part of the tourism ecosphere.

IIPT India is non-profit registered with the Indian Registrar of Companies.