The Conference is expected to bring an estimated 350 delegates from all corners of the African continent, in addition to other international delegates with special expertise. Lou D'Amore expressed hope that the African Conference will be the first of a series of regional conferences and symposia leading up to the Second Global Summit that will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, October 13-16, 2002. Mira Berman, ATA Executive Director said that "ATA, a founding member of IIPT's Coalition of Partners for Peace Through Tourism, under the leadership of ATA President, Hon. Zakia Hamdani Meghji, M.P., Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, has played a major role in promoting the first IIPT African Peace Through Tourism Conference." Fiona Martin, speaking on behalf of the host organization, the Mpumalanga Tourism Authority, stated "Hosting this prestigious event will be the forerunner of other conferences throughout Africa, and the beginning of a wave of practical ideas that can assist in building a united, peaceful continent, through tourism." She also noted "the MTA's humble initiative should aim to bring our brothers and sisters of Africa together to share ideas on how to make our beautiful continent peaceful and economically sustainable. To use tourism as a catalyst for economic, environmental and human resource development is a unique concept and one that has great potential to facilitate Small and Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) development in the tourism sector and contribute to poverty alleviation. The conference will be fundamentally 'African' in nature and the focus will be on practical and sustainable outcomes that would benefit all delegates, in their own country." Areas of emphasis in the conference program will be: Sustainable Development including Poverty Alleviation and Community-based Tourism; Tourism and Environment with a view to providing input to the Rio + 10 Conference; Healing the Wounds of Conflict through Tourism; Cultural Heritage Tourism; Educating for a Culture of Peace through Tourism; Access for the Physically Disabled; and promotion of the World Tourism Organization Codes of Ethics. Peace Park Dedication The first Peace Park in South Africa will be launched at God's Window and " seeds of peace " will be handed to all delegates to plant in their own countries and thereby continue the "peace through tourism" movement in Africa. Delegates will also visit rural community tourism projects that embrace the peace building theme, where the opportunity exists for these to be duplicated in other countries. Sponsorship for this conference has been generously provided by three title sponsors, namely The Development Bank of Southern Africa, The Provincial Departments of Finance and Economic Affairs and the Department of Sports, Arts Culture and Recreation. Other sponsors include American Express Travel, Bermuda Ministry of Tourism, European Union, Protea Hotels, Group 5, Anglo American, Emnotweni Arena, South African Tourism, Air Harbour Technologies, ABSA Bank, Kodak, Trans African Concessions, Reed Travel Exhibitions; ESAPPI, South African Airways, South African Airlink. South African Airways is supporting the conference with special fares for ATA delegates from the U.S. Gateways. About ATA The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is an international, nonprofit, nonpolitical, travel industry association established in 1975 to promote tourism to the continent of Africa. Its membership includes African Government Tourism Offices, international airlines, hoteliers, cruise lines, tour operators, travel agents, tourism educators and public relations/marketing firms. ATA is a member of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA); World Tourism Organization (WTO); a founding member of IIPT's Coalition of Partners for Peace through Tourism; and an industry partner in the "Green Globe" program. About IIPT IIPT is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives that contribute to international understanding and cooperation, improved quality of environment, preservation of heritage, and a peaceful, sustainable world. About MTA The Mpumalanga Tourism Authority is currently a Section 21 Company, responsible for tourism marketing in the province on behalf of the Mpumalanga Government. The company works closely with the Government Tourism Directorate, which is responsible for the development of tourism in previously disadvantaged areas of Mpumalanga and for facilitating assistance to small, medium and microenterprises and emerging entrepreneurs. CONTACT INFORMATION: Conference Program and Registration: www.peace-conference.co.za email: peace-conference@soft.co.za Secretariat in South Africa: Tel/fax: 27-12-3477257   In US: IIPT website: www.iipt.org; Email: africa@iipt.org; Tel ( 802) 253-2658; Fax: (802)253-2645. ATA website: www.africa-ata.org Tel (212) 447-0027; fax (212) 725-8253 SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS OFFERS SPECIAL FARES FROM US GATEWAYS FOR ATA DELEGATES ATTENDING THE FIRST IIPT AFRICA PEACE THROUGH TOURISM CONFERENCE, NELSPRUIT, MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA MARCH 3-7, 2002 South African Airways is offering all Africa Travel Association (ATA) members from the US & Canada special airfares to attend the First IIPT Africa Peace Through Tourism Conference to be held in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, March 3-7, 2002. The conference is being organized by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) in association with ATA and Mpumalanga Tourism Authority. The special airfare of $650 plus tax will be available for ATA members only from the US gateways, Atlanta and New York City. The special offer will have a validity date of February 27 ˆ March 14 2002./ Booking can be made directly with Skylink at (212) 573-8980; fax (212) 573-8878, attention Sasha. ATA members must be able to provide proof of ATA membership and confirmation of the Africa IIPT Conference registration. For more information and registration for the First IIPT Africa Peace Through Tourism Conference visit www.peace-conference.co.za; for ATA membership information contact Marilyn Eugene, Tel (212) 447-1926; email: africatravelasso@aol.com

home .