International Institute for Peace through Tourism

What International Institute for Peace through Tourism does

International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a non-profit organization founded in 1986 in the UN International Year of Peace, headquartered in Utica, New York, with a stated mission of making travel and tourism the world's first global peace industry. The organization pursues this through advocacy frameworks (most prominently the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler and the first Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism, introduced at the 1988 Vancouver conference), program-based initiatives including the Global Peace Parks Project, the IIPT/Skål Peace Towns and Villages Initiative, and the Travel for Peace Campaign, and a calendar of recurring international summits, conferences, and awards ceremonies held in partnership with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Skål International, World Travel Market, and ITB Berlin.

IIPT serves multiple stakeholder groups: travel industry operators (travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies, airlines, cruise lines) recruited as Charter Members of the Travel for Peace Campaign; governments, cities, and municipalities that dedicate Peace Parks and commit to specific peace values; diplomats recognized through the Diplomats for Peace program; students and youth engaged through the IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities (IIPT-CCU) and Student Peace Prize; and individual travelers who receive the IIPT Credo. The organization operates a global chapter network (Australia, Caribbean, India, Iran, Indian Ocean, Zambia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Serbia, Southern Africa, British Columbia) and maintains advisory relationships with heads of state, royalty, Nobel Peace Laureates, and former UNWTO leadership.

Its business model is donation- and membership-driven: revenue derives from charitable contributions, Charter Membership dues from travel industry participants, event sponsorships, and partnership in-kind support, with no disclosed pricing for programs or services. The technology core is a content-and-events platform — website (peacetourism.org), monthly newsletter, and partner-built campaign microsites — rather than a proprietary technology product. IIPT has held a registered trademark (CHERNOBYL TOUR®) associated with a partner's specialized disaster-education tour operation. In 2023, founder and 37-year president Louis D'Amore transitioned leadership to Ajay Prakash.

Name

International Institute for Peace through Tourism

Legal name

International Institute for Peace through Tourism

Website

https://peacetourism.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a Utica, NY-based non-profit founded in 1986 that promotes tourism as a global peace industry through advocacy frameworks, Peace Parks, summits, and awards programs in partnership with UNWTO, Skål International, and travel trade shows.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Utica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a non-profit organization, IIPT relies on donations and charitable contributions from supporters, partners, and members to fund its operations and global peace through tourism initiatives.
2. Charter Membership Program: The Travel for Peace Campaign invites Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Hotel Companies, Airlines, Cruise Lines and Travel Publications to become charter members, supporting the movement to encourage travelers to be Ambassadors for Peace.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IIPT is a non-profit organization that promotes travel and tourism as a vehicle for international peace and understanding. It operates global advocacy programs including Peace Parks, the Travel for Peace Campaign, Diplomats for Peace, and signature global summits, along with award programs (Celebrating Her, Champions in Challenge, Student Peace Prize) and educational initiatives through the IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities.

Product overview

IIPT is a non-profit organization offering a portfolio of peace-through-tourism programs rather than a traditional tech product. The core offerings include the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler, the Peace Parks Initiative (including the Global Peace Parks Project and IIPT/Skål Peace Towns and Villages), the Travel for Peace Campaign, and the Diplomats for Peace program. The organization also operates award programs including the Celebrating Her Awards (held at ITB Berlin), Champions in Challenge Awards, and Student Peace Prize. IIPT organizes Global Summits and Conferences and maintains the IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities (IIPT-CCU) for educational engagement. These programs collectively promote tourism as the world's first global peace industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler A guiding document distributed to travelers worldwide promoting the belief that every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace, encouraging ethical and peaceful travel practices.
• Peace Parks Initiative A global program dedicated to establishing and recognizing Peace Parks worldwide, with a goal of 2,000 Peace Parks dedicated or re-dedicated, featuring a Peace Parks Tool Kit for organizations.
• Travel for Peace Campaign An initiative inviting travel agents, tour operators, hotel companies, airlines, cruise lines and travel publications to become charter members and encourage travelers to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo.
• IIPT Global Summits and Conferences International conferences bringing together heads of state, royalty, Nobel laureates, UN officials, and tourism industry leaders to promote peace through tourism; held globally over more than 25 years.
• IIPT/Skål Peace Towns and Villages Initiative Program inviting towns and villages worldwide to dedicate an IIPT/Skål Peace Park while committing to values of tolerance, non-violence, gender equality, human rights, youth empowerment, and sustainable development.
• Diplomats for Peace An annual event recognizing and celebrating the critical role of diplomats in nurturing peace and harmony, recognizing countries as 'Diplomats for Peace' and envoys as 'Messengers of Peace'.
• IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities (IIPT-CCU) Program engaging universities to provide students the opportunity to research and write essays on peace through tourism, with scholarship awards (e.g., $1,500 scholarship) for outstanding research.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tourism accounts for one in every 10 jobs globally
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• VFS GlobalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVFS Global, the world's leading visa facilitation agency, was presenting partner for the inaugural IIPT 'Diplomats for Peace' event in Delhi, India. CEO Zubin Karkaria emphasized travel and tourism's role in spreading peace and understanding.
• World ExpeditionsflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerWorld Expeditions became the first Charter Member of the IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign at the Responsible Travel Symposium in Toronto. The campaign invites travel industry members to encourage travelers to be Ambassadors for Peace by practicing the IIPT Credo of the Peaceful Traveler.
• Skål InternationalflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership with the world's largest organization of travel and tourism executives (18,000 members in 450 chapters in 85 countries) for IIPT/Skål Peace Parks, Peace Towns and Villages initiative. Co-organized 30th Anniversary Global Summit with UNWTO in Montreal 2018.
• United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNWTO is a key partner in co-organizing IIPT global summits. Dr. Taleb Rifai, Secretary General of UNWTO (2010-2017), serves as Chair of IIPT's International Advisory Board. IIPT 30th Anniversary Global Summit co-organized with UNWTO in Montreal, August 27-30, 2018.
• TravelBiz MonitorcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIndia's premier Travel and Tourism industry publication was presenting partner for IIPT India 'Diplomats for Peace' event recognizing diplomatic contributions to peace.
• Airline Ambassadors International (AAI)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerAAI helps orphans and vulnerable children worldwide by leveraging airline industry connections for humanitarian service. Partnering with IIPT for Travel for Peace Tour to Jordan, providing marketing support and representation by Sandy Dhuyvetter.
• Near Eastern TourscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIIPT Coalition Partner providing in-country services for IIPT Travel for Peace Tour to Jordan.
• Angels of HopeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProviding 'Tee' Shirts and other gifts for school children during IIPT Travel for Peace Tour to Jordan.
• Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign, one of six original charter members.
• Sacred Himalaya TravelcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSecond Charter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign.
• The Cultural AnglecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign.
• Travel UnwrappedcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCharter Member of IIPT Travel for Peace Campaign, fifth organization to join.
• HRH Princess Dana FirasflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal advocate for cultural heritage preservation and President of the Board, Petra National Trust (PNT). Patron of IIPT Travel for Peace Tour to Jordan, personally meeting with tour members in Amman or Petra.
• Livingstone International University of Tourism Excellence and Business Management (LIUTEBM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Lusaka, Zambia, housing the IIPT Consortium of Collaborating Universities (IIPT-CCU) program. Publishes best essays and presents $1,500 scholarship to best essay author.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC): Global private-sector advisory body representing the travel and tourism industry; comparable to IIPT as both convene industry leaders, governments, and researchers around tourism's broader economic and social impact, and both publish reports and host summits that shape tourism policy.
• Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC): Sets and manages global standards for sustainable travel and tourism, including the Credo-style traveler pledge concept; directly comparable to IIPT because both occupy the sustainable/peaceful-tourism advocacy space, run accreditation-adjacent programs, and target the same travel-industry and government stakeholders.
• Skål International: World's largest organization of travel and tourism executives (18,000 members, 450 chapters, 85 countries) and IIPT's flagship strategic partner; both organize around tourism leadership and ethics, both run chapter-based networks, and they formally co-own the Peace Towns and Villages initiative.
• Tourism Cares: Nonprofit dedicated to leveraging the travel industry for social impact and community sustainability; directly comparable to IIPT as a similarly-sized advocacy nonprofit that mobilizes travel-industry members around philanthropy, education, and impact programming.
• The Travel Foundation: UK-registered sustainable-tourism charity working with tour operators, destinations, and travelers to improve tourism's impacts; closely comparable to IIPT given shared donor-funded model, travel-industry engagement, and focus on sustainability and host-community benefits.
• Center for Responsible Travel (CREST): Policy-oriented research nonprofit promoting responsible tourism through research, advocacy, and conferences; directly comparable to IIPT given shared mission to reframe tourism as a positive social force, similar donor-funded structure, and parallel convening of researchers and practitioners.

Broad incumbents

• United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO): UN agency promoting responsible, sustainable, and universally accessible tourism; directly comparable to IIPT given their co-organized summits and shared UN-level policy ambitions, though UNWTO is a much larger incumbent with formal government mandate and broader remit than IIPT's peace-focused niche.

Regional players

• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA): Asia-Pacific regional tourism association with membership of government bodies, hotels, and tour operators; comparable to IIPT as a membership-driven advocacy organization with chapters and conferences, but primarily regional rather than global in scope.
• World Tourism Cities Federation (WTCF): City-based international tourism organization promoting tourism cooperation among member cities; closely comparable to IIPT given overlapping city-dedication model (Peace Parks vs. WTCF member cities) and shared focus on city-level peace and tourism policy.

Emerging players

• Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA): Trade association promoting sustainable adventure tourism worldwide; comparable to IIPT as a membership-based advocacy body engaging tour operators and destinations around sustainability and cultural values, though ATTA focuses on the adventure niche rather than peace advocacy broadly.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Institute for Peace through Tourism