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IIPT Jordan

Where the Global Peace Parks Project began

IIPT Chapter ยท Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Where the Global Peace Parks Project began

Few countries are as closely linked to IIPT’s story as Jordan. In 2000 the Kingdom hosted IIPT’s first Global Summit on Peace through Tourism, and the Global Peace Parks Project was launched at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site of Christ’s baptism.

Since then IIPT and its friends in Jordan have dedicated a second Peace Park, at the Azraq Wetland Reserve, visited refugee communities to ask how tourism can help, and honoured Jordanian organisations whose work turns tourism into livelihoods, cultural understanding and conservation.

IIPT’s work in Jordan has long been championed by H.E. Akel Biltaji, who hosted the Amman Summit as Minister of Tourism and Antiquities and later, as Mayor of Amman, served on IIPT’s International Advisory Board.

Our story

IIPT and Jordan

  1. 1994
    HM Queen Noor of Jordan is Honorary Chairperson of IIPT’s 2nd Global Conference in Montreal.
  2. 2000
    Amman hosts IIPT’s 1st Global Summit on Peace through Tourism, 8–11 November, with HM King Abdullah II as Royal Patron. Delegates adopt the Amman Declaration, later issued as a UN General Assembly document; the Coalition of Partners for World Peace through Tourism is formed; and the Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail is conceived.
  3. 2000
    At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, IIPT launches its Global Peace Parks Project with a Peace Park at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site of Christ’s baptism.
  4. 2013
    Six olive trees from Bethany Beyond the Jordan, brought by Amman Mayor H.E. Akel Biltaji, are planted at the IIPT Peace Park at Victoria Falls as it is rededicated on the opening day of the UNWTO General Assembly, linking two World Heritage Sites.
  5. 2014
    An IIPT peace mission led by Ambassador at Large Donald King, and facilitated by H.E. Akel Biltaji, visits the Za’atari refugee camp to ask how visitors to Jordan can help Syrian refugees.
  6. 2016
    IIPT Ambassador for Peace Cassie De Pecol is hosted by Skål Jordan, the City of Amman and the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and speaks to tourism students at the Mashrek International School.
  7. 2017
    HRH Princess Dana Firas, Chairperson of the Petra National Trust, is named an IIPT Global Ambassador of Peace through Tourism at WTM London.
  8. 2018
    The first IIPT Regional Awards for Peace through Tourism are presented at the 1st Resilience through Tourism Summit in Amman, 26–27 June.
  9. 2023
    The Azraq Wetland Reserve is declared an IIPT Peace Park at a celebration organised with RSCN, and IIPT recognises the Al-Awon Charity in Azraq, which provides education for 160 Syrian refugee children, as an IIPT project.
What we do

Peace through tourism in Jordan

Peace Parks

The Global Peace Park at Bethany Beyond the Jordan, dedicated in 2000, and the Azraq Wetland Reserve, an oasis in Jordan’s Eastern Desert on a major bird migration route, designated in 2023 in honour of RSCN’s conservation and community work.

Healing the wounds of conflict

From the 2014 peace mission to Za’atari to the Al-Awon Charity in Azraq, IIPT supports Jordan’s welcome to refugees and asks how travellers can help.

Recognising peacemakers

IIPT’s first regional Awards for Peace through Tourism were presented in Amman in 2018, honouring Jordanian heritage, community and eco-tourism leaders.

Travel with purpose

IIPT’s World Peace Travel programme has taken travellers to Jordan on journeys such as its Abrahamic Faith Tour, linking heritage, faith and friendship.

2018 awards

IIPT Regional Awards for Peace through Tourism

Presented at the 1st Resilience through Tourism Summit, Fairmont Amman, 26–27 June 2018, organised by the Travel Weekly group with the Jordan Tourism Board and USAID. Four winners were chosen from 28 nominations.

Community Livelihood Enhancement

Petra National Trust and Jordan River Foundation

Joint winners: the Trust conserves Jordan’s cultural heritage, with a focus on Petra, and the Foundation’s Jordan River Designs programme supports women’s handicraft work and enterprise.

Cultural Diversity

Jordan Trail Association

The long-distance Jordan Trail brings tourism income to 52 villages along its route.

Sustainable Development

EcoHotels, Feynan Ecolodge

Honoured for respect of sustainable development and ecological balance: a solar-powered lodge that employs and supports the local community.

The awards were presented by Dr. Taleb Rifai, Peter Greenberg of CBS News and Ajay Prakash. The jury: Dr. Taleb Rifai, Dr. Louis D’Amore, Anita Mendiratta, Fiona Jeffery OBE, Debbie Flynn and Ajay Prakash.

“Jordan truly embodies the spirit of Resilience and the power of Tourism as a vehicle for Peace.”

Daniela WagnerJacobs Media Group, 2018
Gallery

IIPT in Jordan

Contact

Get involved in Jordan

IIPT welcomes partners in Jordan who would like to help lead its work there, from Peace Parks and community projects to student programmes and peace-minded travel. Write to IIPT’s Global President and Executive Director.

In your email, please include:

  • Your name, and your organisation if you have one
  • Where you are based
  • How you would like to be involved
Ajay Prakash IIPT Global President ajay@iipt.org
Andreas Larentzakis IIPT Executive Director andreas@iipt.org
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