Opening
A Message from the Editor
This newsletter opens with a familiar truth: the world has never needed the vision of IIPT more than it does today. We are living through one of the most unsettling chapters in modern history, with each day bringing new developments that deepen our collective concern for our lives, our families, our futures, and our nations.
It is precisely in times like these that we are called to look inward — the one realm where we truly hold influence — and remember the wisdom of great voices. Thich Nhat Hanh reminded us that “peace in the world starts with peace in oneself.” The Dalai Lama echoed this, noting that world peace begins at the level of the individual. Mother Teresa put it simply: “Peace begins with a smile.” And as Ralph Waldo Emerson declared, “Nothing can bring you peace but yourself.”
In this edition, we reflect on global conflict, celebrate art and World Expeditions, and learn more about the work of the Manchester Peace Coalition. We remain deeply grateful to all who embody the principles of the IIPT Mission Statement through action.
Leadership
Message from the President
Forty Years of Peace Through Tourism – A Defining Moment
As the International Institute for Peace through Tourism approaches its 40th anniversary, we find ourselves at a defining moment in history. At a time when we should be celebrating four decades of progress in advancing tourism as a vehicle for peace, we are confronted instead with a fundamental question: What is the role of tourism in a world still defined by conflict?
The reckless war on Iran virtually brought the world to the brink of the abyss… any further escalation could well have resulted in enormous annihilation. Thankfully, both sides have pulled back from the brink and we hope that the ceasefire will transition into an abiding truce.
Beyond the headlines lies a far more human story - of families destroyed, children killed or orphaned, futures disrupted and fear replacing the simple rhythms of daily life.
It’s completely insane that while we spend millions to seek life in the cosmos, we spend billions trying to wipe out life on Earth!
At IIPT, we have always believed that tourism is far more than an industry - it is a force for peace. Today, that belief is being tested. And yet, perhaps this is precisely why our mission matters more than ever.
This is not a time for silence. It is a time for the global tourism community - governments, industry leaders, and travellers - to reaffirm our shared responsibility:
- To advocate for peace and dialogue over military escalation
- To support affected communities through responsible and ethical engagement
- To resist narratives that dehumanize cultures and nations
- To keep alive the spirit of connection that travel represents
“Tourism alone cannot stop wars. But it can help ameliorate the conditions that allow division and misunderstanding to grow and encourage the growth of peacefulness.”
— Ajay Prakash, Global President, IIPTConflict fractures trust between nations, tourism rebuilds it - person by person, experience by experience. It allows people to see beyond narratives of division and engage with the shared humanity that binds us all.
Peace is not built only in conference rooms or through treaties. It is built in the everyday interactions between people - through empathy, respect, and shared experiences. In a world increasingly defined by conflict, tourism must stand as a quiet but powerful counterforce.
Let this be our collective commitment: to ensure that even in times of war, the idea of a more connected, compassionate world does not fade. Because every journey still holds the power to create peace.
On this 40th anniversary, let us reaffirm what has guided IIPT since its inception:
- That travel can break down barriers
- That understanding can replace fear
- That tourism is not just about where we go - it is about how we choose to see one another
In a world divided by conflict, every journey that fosters understanding becomes an act of peace.
Ajay Prakash
President
STOP WAR – Designed by Polish calligrapher Barbara Galińska, ‘STOP WAR’ originated from an international calligraphy challenge, reflecting the Israel-Palestinian conflict. This graphic has gone on to gain global recognition, with Galińska hoping it will become a universal symbol of peace.
Chapters
From the IIPT Australian Chapter
CATO International Women’s Day Event Celebrates Women in Travel
Nearly 200 tour operators, wholesalers and travel professionals gathered in Brisbane, Australia, for the sold-out CATO - Council of Australian Tour Operators International Women’s Day Event, recognising the contribution of women across the touring sector.
CATO Managing Director Brett Jardine said the strong attendance reflected the important role women play across the sector.
“The touring sector relies on the experience, leadership and perspective of women across many areas of the industry, from new entrants through to senior executives and entrepreneurial owners.”
— Brett Jardine, Managing Director, CATO
Inspiration
Travel as a Force for Good: 50 Years of World Expeditions
In 2025, World Expeditions celebrated a significant milestone: 50 years of pioneering responsible adventure travel. Founded on the belief that travel should enrich both traveler and destination, the company has spent half a century demonstrating how tourism can foster cultural understanding, environmental stewardship and meaningful global connections.
Guiding the organization for more than half of its history is CEO Sue Badyari, whose leadership has shaped World Expeditions Travel Group into a global collective of 17 travel brands united by a shared philosophy of responsible and regenerative travel.
Sue’s influence has been widely recognized across the travel sector. At the 2025 Women in Travel Awards she was named Woman of the Year and CEO of the Year, following her 2024 honour as Sustainable Champion of the Year.
As a keynote speaker at the IIPT World Symposium in Johannesburg and a coalition partner of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism, Sue continues to champion a vision of travel that strengthens communities, protects fragile environments, and fosters meaningful connections between cultures. Through her leadership, World Expeditions demonstrates how tourism, guided by purpose and responsibility, can contribute to a more sustainable and peaceful world.
Chapters
From the IIPT Caribbean Chapter
We have all come to appreciate and celebrate the strong contribution that our Caribbean President, Diana McIntyre-Pike, has made to Jamaica, the Caribbean and the world. Diana has confirmed that she has been invited as a speaker for the IWDC conference, where her topic will be “Tourism as a tool for peace, diplomacy and international relations and Community-led tourism empowering women at the local level.” The conference mission statement is to “re-map, rebuild, rise, women shaping power, policy and the future.”
The Manchester Peace Coalition and the PEACE FUND
The PEACE FUND was created by the Manchester Peace Coalition (MPCo), whose chairman is Dr. Clifton Reid. IIPT Caribbean is collaborating with this organization and requests donations, which can be made through the bank details listed on their website.
The Manchester Peace Coalition (MPCo) is a dedicated band of volunteers and civil society organizations working to ignite a “Peace Epidemic” starting in Manchester, Jamaica. Born from a 2013 initiative by the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), Mandeville and Brooks Park were declared the first Peace Town and Peace Park in the Caribbean.
“Since our launch on September 20, 2016, we have been committed to empowering at-risk communities through education, sports, and family support. Your contribution to the PEACE FUND directly supports these vital initiatives and helps us achieve our vision of Manchester as a place of peaceful and holistic living and as leaders for Jamaica and the Caribbean in association with the IIPT Caribbean.”
— Manchester Peace CoalitionHow your contribution helps
The PEACE FUND supports a wide range of community-driven projects, including:
- Youth & Education: Promoting homework centres and educational support for vulnerable children.
- Family Empowerment: Promoting parenting clubs and recognising outstanding fathers through the annual Father’s Day Expo.
- Social Intervention: Funding critical research and “Violence Interrupter” projects in at-risk communities.
- Crisis Response: Supporting emergency relief for individuals and homes after disasters.
- Promoting Peace: A structured programme to recognize and celebrate the annual UN World Peace Day.
- IIPT Peace Villages: Promoting the IIPT Peace Villages programme in association with the IIPT Caribbean Countrystyle Villages as Businesses, to promote economic development of communities with community tourism entrepreneurship training to identify their projects and businesses requiring funding support.
Contribute to the PEACE FUND
Email info@manchesterja.org or mpco4@gmail.com, or visit www.manchesterja.org.
Inspiration
Changing Lanes and Positive Thinking
In the wake of the collective wars and strife in the world, it’s beneficial to shift our focus to some of the more positive aspects of human life, which clearly represent a global majority.
Musing on the positive can elevate our mindset into one more equipped to participate in the healing of the world and the movement towards peace. Sent to the newsletter by Timothy Marshall, the following stories will do just that:
From the Editor
Peace through Tourism, Lived in Cartagena
I have just returned from Cartagena, Colombia, where the spirit of “Peace through Tourism” — and many of the concepts it champions — came to life in remarkable ways.
First, on a cathedral tour, I had the unexpected privilege of meeting Father Francisco de Roux, S.J., the distinguished Jesuit priest who led Colombia’s Commission for the Clarification of Truth, Coexistence, and Non-Repetition. A defining voice in transitional justice, he has worked tirelessly to help the nation heal from decades of conflict. In 2016, he famously offered to exchange himself for a hostage held by the ELN to advance peace negotiations.
Talk about living your convictions. When I introduced him to IIPT, his face lit up as he reflected on the profound link between peace and tourism. I said, “You can’t have tourism without peace, and you can’t have peace without tourism,” and he broke into a wide, ear-to-ear smile.
Second, our esteemed sister Diana came to mind during a visit with a local artisan community. We learned how they harvest native leaves to create a versatile material, then weave it into purses, bowls, and other beautiful items. Indhy Luna, who led us that day, personified joy. She also taught us how to tie and wear the traditional, vibrant turbans. As head of a movement empowering women entrepreneurs, she made one thing clear: this work is not about freezing culture in time, but evolving it — keeping local principles and crafts alive and relevant for today.
In conversations with tourism leaders across Colombia, I heard the same sentiment: the country is experiencing a renaissance. Long stigmatized as unsafe, Cartagena and Colombia today radiate happiness and optimism. That energy is contagious, and visitors feel it. The result is a welcome surge in tourism.
For me, it was extraordinary to witness “Peace through Tourism” not as theory, but as lived reality.
Closing
And Finally
Please keep the news, articles and stories coming, and we will come together again for the May/June edition to find out more about IIPT 40th Anniversary plans.
Bea Broda
Editor: IIPT Newsletter
beabroda@gmail.com