Shreya Shimpi
The event ‘Promoting Peace through Tourism’ highlighted the vital role that tourism can play in promoting world peace and was celebrated on the UN International Day of Peace at the IFBE, Mumbai. The evening witnessed the presence of Consul Generals, esteemed dignitaries, key members of the Travel Trade and the Media. The members participated in various Peace activities. There were dance performances offering the attendees a glimpse into the rich culture of Thailand. The lucky draw winner won a round trip to Thailand.
Addressing the gathering, Donnawit Poolsawat, Consul General said,
“We are in the 21st Century and we have various technical advancements, social media platforms and an ocean of information which is supposed to bring us together and make this world a better place. However, there are still conflicts, misunderstandings and mistrust which exist in the world today. Technological advancements are being used to spread hate and mistrust. We need to bring people of different countries and backgrounds together not just online but physically and provide them with opportunities to learn, understand and make friends. The most important tool to achieve this is tourism. Tourism is not just a recreational activity. It is a social force that can influence a vast variety of issues happening in both sending and receiving countries hence we need to look at it from a different perspective”.
Ajay Prakash, President of International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) said, “It is a given that you need peace for tourism. The converse, that tourism can also be a tool for peace is not so easily understood. The mission for IIPT is based on two simple premises. Firstly, travel and tourism which is one of the largest global industries accounting for ten per cent of the global GDP, could become the first global peace industry. Secondly, every traveller is a potentially an ambassador for peace. The idea is to get the travel industry to build into their core business practice the idea that tourism goes beyond just moving people. It is about connecting people. If we can imbibe this thought into each of our traveller’s minds that when they travel they should travel with a gentle heart and an open mind, only then can they discover that the differences that seem to divide us seem insignificant in comparison to all the things common for humanity”.
The event concluded with a cocktail dinner showcasing the culinary delights from Thailand.
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