ICTP News Releases

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced its first destination member from the US state of Washington – the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB).

Seattle’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, a private, nonprofit marketing organization, has served as Seattle/King County’s official destination marketing organization (DMO) for more than 50 years. The goal of its marketing efforts is to enhance the employment opportunities and economic prosperity of the region.

Some 9.9 million visitors spend US$5.9 billion in Seattle and King County annually, contributing US$463 million in state and local tax revenues. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants, attractions, transportation services, and other businesses, and supports jobs for more than 51,000 people in the Seattle region.

The SCVB’s Tourism Development division oversees a broad range of programs for leisure travel to Seattle, Washington state, and the Pacific Northwest from both domestic and international origins. It will help travel trade professionals develop itineraries, arrange lodging, and organize tours for groups, FITs, and travelers of all kinds.

The Washington State Convention Center exceeds expectations for events of any size with more than 414,000-plus square feet of function space undefined including the new Conference Center’s 71,000 square feet. Two flexible facilities accommodate banquets for thousands or intimate breakouts for 10.

Juergen T. Steinmetz, ICTP Chairman, said: “With superb hotel spaces and other uniquely Seattle venues nearby, including cultural attractions, museums, outdoor recreation, and fine dining, Seattle has unique options to attract attendees and entertain them before, during, and after an event. We are confident SCVB’s membership will prove fruitful for the Seattle Convention & Visitors Bureau, as well as for ICTP members.”

For more information, go to http://www.visitseattle.org

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) welcomed the Bangladesh International Hotel Association (BIHA) as a destination member.

Established in 1980, the Hotel Association of Bangladesh is the apex organization of the Bangladeshi hospitality industry. With its membership extending from the major hotel groups; boutique hotels; heritage hotels; large, medium-sized, and smaller hotels, it represents the entire spectrum of the industry.

BIHA’s mission is to facilitate the full potential of Bangladesh's hotel and tourism industry by raising a concerted voice to make a conductive environment for the growth of this sector. BIHA aims at serving its members by fulfilling their needs and building partnerships in a socially-responsible and sustainable manner. BIHA envisions itself to become the national driving force to achieve a world-class, vibrant hotel industry with the private sector leadership, which will fuel the country's development.

ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “Hospitality will become one of the largest industries for Bangladesh and could generate additional jobs across the country if it can organize the sector and address its issues properly. ICTP’s membership base can help BHIA in their efforts through networking and increasing awareness.”

Realizing the job creation potential of the industry, BIHA will raise awareness across government, media, and the general public of the importance of hotel industry and the crucial role it will play in Bangladesh's economy. The Bangladesh International Hotel Association is working to secure for the hotel industry its due place in Bangladesh's economy and project its role as a contributor to employment generation and sustainable economic and social development. It strives to highlight its crucial role in service to the tourism industry as the largest net foreign exchange earner, and to help raise the standards of hoteliering, and to build an image for this industry both within and outside the country.

For more information, go to http://biha8.webs.com/ .

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; Caribbean; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org .

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is pleased to announced the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) has joined the alliance. Recently, ICTP held its general meeting and RETOSA held its board meeting in early July in Seychelles. Leaders from both organizations took this opportunity to meet and in so doing, signed an MOU, with RETOSA joining ICTP as a partner association.

The Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is a SADC institution that brings together the 14 fascinating countries of the Southern part of Africa – Angola, Botswana, DR Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “RETOSA is a leading organization for cooperation in Africa with a focus also on tourism. ICTP has a strong and growing membership from Africa. It was a logical step to propose a cooperative effort between the two organizations.

“ICTP is building to critical mass and general recognition by year end of 2012 and are putting in place web-based support and service systems at tourismpartners.org and greengrowth2050.com. RETOSA will be invited to join with ICTP at upcoming events in Africa.

As part of the agreement, RETOSA plans to encourage its members to become ICTP destination members, which will allow ICTP to support those destinations as well. In addition, both organizations will share web portal links on their respective websites.

RETOSA believes that sustainably-developed tourism offers the Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries the opportunity to drive economic growth, boost job creation, increase export earnings, attract investment, and alleviate poverty. This fits right in with ICTP’s mission for quality and green tourism growth.

For more information about RETOSA, go to www.retosa.co.za .

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.
 ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; Caribbean; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org 

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced the Belgian Tourist Office has joined as a destination member.

The Belgian capital of Brussels is centrally located, making it the perfect home-base for domestic and Europe-wide travel. Brussels is 85 minutes from Paris, less than 2 hours from London, and 2.5 hours from Amsterdam. For domestic travel, the cities of Liege, Namur, Tournai, and Bruges are all about one hour from Brussels by train. Belgium has something for every budget. Many hotels offer packages with tickets to popular museums and local events. Even fine dining does not have to cost an arm, or a leg.

Annette Choynacki, Director USA & Canada of the Belgian Tourist Office, said: “Belgium is a destination that prides itself on its cultural richness, quaint towns, castles surrounded by lush green landscapes, and high-quality gastronomy created using locally-sourced ingredients. This new relationship is a harmonious balance of Belgium’s strongest qualities and ICTP’s mission of quality service and green growth.”

There are more castles per square mile in Belgium than anywhere else in the world. Beautiful castles to experience, formal gardens to get lost in, peaceful abbeys, and historic battlefields await visitors. Belgium offers visitors a rich cultural experience with a myriad of museums covering topics from art nouveau to history and comic strips to science - there is one catered to every imaginable taste.

Gastronomy in Belgium is an art. From street foods like frites or waffles with the toppings of your choice, to traditional dishes like croquettes or mussels, the choices are endless. Brussels is bursting with cafés to go enjoy a world-renowned Belgian beer, and the Grand Sablon Square is surrounded with shops from Belgium’s artisan chocolatiers. Wallonia, French-speaking Belgium, is a delight of local restaurants, affordable and charming inns, castles, and small breweries throughout the rolling countryside.

ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “Belgium is one of Europe's must-see destinations, offering visitors a complete cultural experience with something to stimulate all of the senses. From history to festivals, there is something for everyone. The Belgian Tourist Office fits right in with ICTP’s philosophies and will be a valuable member of the alliance.”

For more information, go to www.visitbelgium.com .

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org .

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced that the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) has become the second destination member from the country. 

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced today that the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) has joined as a destination member.

Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, Director General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), had this to say about Nigeria's registration as a destination member of ICTP: “Nigeria is blessed with abundant cultural tourism and diversity. To complement this legacy is the uncommon warmth and hospitality of Nigerians. Foreigners are often amazed when they visit Nigeria and experience the Nigerian hospitality, and they always look forward to coming back.

“We have continued to explore international market platforms to promote Nigeria, and in ICTP, we find an enduring partner in our quest to celebrate Nigeria, while adapting to the latest practices in tourism development. Welcome to Nigeria, the home of abundant tourism potential.”

Organized tourism in Nigeria dates back 50 years when The Nigerian Tourist Association was established in 1962 by a group of private practitioners. It was their aim to project Nigeria’s tourism potentials and encourage domestic and international tourism activities. Within a couple of short years, in 1964, their work led to the admission of Nigeria as a full member of the International Union of Official Travel Organization (IUOTO), now known as the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), along with the establishment of the Nigerian Tourism Board.

In 1992, the Nigerian Tourism Board became the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation - the apex tourism agency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The NTDC is responsible today for the overall responsibility of promoting, marketing, and coordinating tourism activities in Nigeria.

ICTP President Prof. Geoffrey Lipman said: “Nigeria is the biggest market in Africa with significant ‘travelism’ promise. As a member of ICTP, the Tourism Development Corporation will have a great opportunity to build environmental management at the heart of its development strategies. We look forward to working with them and Nigeria's aviation and tourism community.”

The Chairman of ICTP, Juergen T. Steinmetz, said: “We could not find a better representative to be our first destination member from Nigeria than the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation itself. It has a long history of commitment to and passion for the tourism industry in its country.”

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad&Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique&Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel&Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced its first destination partner from Morocco has joined – the Regional Tourism Council Agadir Souss Massa Draa.

ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “Morocco is committed to steering its tourism efforts in a sustainable manner with respect for the environment and its people. Its plans for responsible tourism fit in very well with ICTP’s aim to promote quality and green growth tourism.”

In 2006, Morocco created a responsible tourism charter, with the objectives to preserve the culture, values, traditions, and identity of the Moroccan environment. This charter is a commitment integrated in the “2010 vision” plan of Morocco, which aims to become one of the first twenty world destinations.

Thanks to its richness, the Souss Massa Daraa region has an objective of making lasting tourism its first magnet, by developing its natural resources through responsible and perpetual management. The Regional Council of Tourism in Agadir Souss Massa Daraa has taken important actions in order to safeguard nature.

Its “Agenda 21” places tourism and lasting development as the second priority of the city’s project. It purports international cooperation for pertinent projects revolving around the Argan tree, cactus preservation, and the education of rural women. For that purpose, many women’s cooperatives have been developed. In 2009, the “Ecolodge Atlas Kasbah” project received an eco-tourism label, for its work based on good management of natural resources and preservation of the environment.

The Regional Tourism Council prepared a responsible traveler’s guide intended for every tourist in Morocco. It is an invitation to adopt certain rules and behaviors which are respectful of the country’s local values. The organizations of touristic development themselves have to pay attention to the traditions and the culture of regions and populations and respect those values. Tourism activity has to respect cultural richness by being conceived in a way to permit the following up and the blooming of the cultural, traditional, and folkloric productions, and not to provoke standardization and impoverishment. It is also the duty of all the organizations to respect the environment through touristic development that safeguards the environment and the natural resources in the perspective of lasting economic growth, and also to fairly satisfy the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

Fur more information about the Regional Tourism Council Agadir Souss Massa Draa, visit http://www.visitagadir.com/ .

ABOUT ICTP

The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green).

ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation.

ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles. ICTP membership is available to qualified destinations free of charge. Academy membership features a prestigious and selected group of destinations.

ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Canada; China; Croatia; The Gambia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.

Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI); Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola - Botswana - DR Congo - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Mauritius - Mozambique - Namibia - South Africa - Swaziland - Tanzania - Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; as well as university and educational institute partners.

For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org

Many have eloquently and accurately commented on the incredible business and civic achievements of Lord Marshall – including his roles in aviation and tourism.  I had the privilege of working with him in both - and I want to recall for his friends the incredible decency of a man who was always able to find time to engage on family, football and on the sustainability of our industry, amidst the most serious institutional exchanges.

It came out for me at our first meeting in 1983 when he’d just been appointed CEO of British Airways and we heard at IATA, where I was acting as a kind of “designated hitter” for the Director General at the time, that this was a man who would focus on the bottom line and have little time for the painstaking compromises of muItilateral decision making – he may even “pull the membership plug, in his new broom sweeps clean role”. So I was dispatched to convince him that BA should stay in IATA at a time when the competing US carriers were all leaving, to save cost and under instructions from a government that sought rapid global air service deregulation. He was professional, rapier like in his questioning but incredibly courteous. And he listened, very, very carefully.

Two weeks later came a nice but very clear letter saying that the pros outweighed the cons – for now: but his team would keep it under routine scrutiny, that we must work to reduce costs and increase value and if we failed to meet his standards there would be another less successful meeting. And …here was the key he wanted personally to be kept informed if there were major problems or opportunities on the horizon.

I saw Colin on and off, on that basis for the last 20 years, in the fringes of  the Executive Committees of IATA and WTTC (where to my eternal gratitude he nominated me to become the President for its first formative decade). Always I would have a couple of issues to bring to his attention. Always the same rapier like questions,  always the same thoughtful proposals and always the same courtesy.

It didn’t matter that he had BA, HSBC, Nomura. Pirelli, Visit Britain and other urgent matters to deal with – he always found time to talk about building the institutions creatively – why it was important for IATA to keep reforming its ways of doing business and encourage competition not stifle it, why WTTC had to support the growing environment movement without compromising its business focus – mirroring his revolutionary introduction at BA of an environmental scientist and the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards.  And latterly, what might be done to change thinking about Travel and Tourism Education because of a longstanding commitment he had made in this field and where he found time for serious thinking even when he was under intense medical intervention

I will never forget his way of seeding good ideas, quickly cutting through the complexity and seizing on the essence of the good. But most of all, I’ll never forget his genuine interest in family, common friends and why Arsenal (in his albeit misplaced view) was the greatest football team in the world, mocking my love of Manchester United. I have an abiding memory that I will carry with me of coming off a tennis court in Delhi many years ago, where he had seriously wiped the floor with me, and that wry smile on his face when he described the pathetic apology of my game as “a quiet valiant effort ”

We will all miss Colin the man.

Hawaii, Brussels, Seychelles:   ICTP (International Council of Tourism Partners) and Routes (a division of UBM) reached an agreement during the Routes Africa meeting in Seychelles, to work together to advance the understanding of the value of airline connectivity for destinations