Leeuwarden Holland – This week tourism and travel professionals in the private sector from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority representing the Tourism4Peace Forum met at CHN University Netherlands in Leeuwarden to discuss strengthening international tourism to the Middle East. The three day conference opened with a keynote address from Michael Stolowitzky, President and CEO of the American Tourism Society (ATS) who announced that the board of directors of ATS had unanimously agreed to accept the Tourism4Peace Forum as a permanent member of ATS. Additional presentations from key delegates and representatives of each of the four regions included topics that identified the present state of tourism in their respective countries and how each neighboring region can assist the others in developing positive worldwide visibility and attracting tourism from around the globe.

The event was sponsored by the Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland University (CHN) Netherlands and began the first day of the forum in The Hague where Klaas-Wybo van der Hoek, Vice President of CHN commented, “It is very appropriate that the forum begin its conference in an area known for its commitment to peace with the well known Hague Peace conference beginnings in the 1890’s.”

Rafi Baeri, Executive Vice President of the Dan Hotels-Israel, stated that the number one message the forum was sending to lobby local government officials in each country was: “No borders, no boundaries, no animosity; just beautiful cultural experiences.”  Informative presentations from each region were made to forum audiences comprised of travel trade professionals, university faculty, students and media and highlighted information on each of the regions’ assets as a tourism destination. Representatives of all four countries expressed a warm welcoming to one another and expressed an unwavering commitment to work together to achieve the goal of peace through tourism.

Embracing the concept that tourism has no borders, the forum agreed to collaboratively work to emphasize to the regional governmental authorities the important relationships of tourism and peace. Included in the forum’s mandate were goals of increased education and professional training, achieving worldwide visibility through a powerful Web presence and proactive, joint marketing initiatives between the regions.

Exemplifying a warm and welcoming environment, the 20 member delegation indicated that each of its members believed that people are the source and foundation of peace. Perhaps one of the most profound comments at the forum came from Elhamy ElZayat, Chairman of EMECO Travel in Egypt, who stated that, “The most important thing about peace is… hope.”

About Tourism4Peace:
Tourism4Peace was established in 2005 as an initiative by the Israel Hotel Management Association and sponsored by the Peres Center for Peace. The creation of the forum will advance peace thru tourism by strengthening dialogue and
ties between the regions and the tourism industry. Offering advanced solutions to mutual challenges and development of activities to strengthen economies and peaceful advancement.

About CHN University:
A dynamic, top-quality university with establishments in the Netherlands and outside of Europe. That, in a nutshell, is the profile of the Christelijke Hogeschool Nederland. The CHN currently has approximately 6,000 students and employs some 560 members of staff. The university offers specialised study programmes and commercial services in the areas of primary education (teacher training) and care and service management, for both the national and international market.