Saturday, May 19, 2018
It took just one short email for the UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil’s Azerbaijani chief of staff to destroy three years of hard work and expectation by Louis D’Amore, known as the man behind Peace Through Tourism. D’Amore is the founder and president of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). IIPT is recognized and highly respected worldwide.
This email was to step on the role, legacy, and work of former UNWTO Secretary General Dr. Taleb Rifai, who was an outspoken supporter of Louis D’Amore and peace through tourism. Dr. Taleb Rifai joined IIPT as the head of their advisory committee.
The email by the UNWTO chief of staff read, “UNWTO decided to no longer have a part in the IIPT – UNWTO summit planned for August in Montreal, Canada.”
The UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvil did not contact Louis D’Amore personally or was available for a discussion.
There was no further explanation given. Dr. Rifai made sure that when he left UNWTO, the cooperation with IIPT was on solid ground. A former executive director entrusted to work with IIPT on the Summit was terminated from the UNWTO on December 31, 2017.
D’Amore was proud to collaborate with the UNWTO under the leadership of then Secretary-General Dr. Taleb Rifai when he announced the Montreal summit to take place in September 2017 after the ending of the UNWTO General Assembly in Chengdu, China. Dr. Taleb Rifai was set to be the keynote speaker there.
It was a disappointment for IIPT when the UNWTO 22nd General Assembly scheduled to be held in Chengdu, China, was rescheduled by its Chinese hosts.
Tags: UNWTO
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