Richard North, chief executive officer of Six Continents Hotels, was awarded a replica of World Peace Gong at the recent Second Global Summit for Peace through Tourism in recognition of his support for the event.
North delivered a keynote address at the Summit on how tourism can help to alleviate poverty and was presented with the award by Mr. Setyanto P. Santosa, the executive chairman of the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Board. The World Peace Gong was launched on 1 January 2003 by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.
The Summit was held in Geneva from 5-8 February. It was the initiative of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), in partnership with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Delegates included leading educators, policymakers, government and nongovernmental organisations and business leaders in travel, tourism, culture, heritage, parks and environmental bodies. Six Continents was a major sponsor of the event, and funded a dance performance by Balinese dancers, as an expression of solidarity with the people of Bali and Indonesia in their efforts to rebuild confidence in tourism to Bali.

Richard North, CEO Six Continents Hotels commented, “It is a great honour to have been awarded a replica of the World Peace Gong. On behalf of Six Continents Hotels, I would like to reiterate our ongoing dedication to this cause, and our co-operation and commitment to a peaceful and sustainable world.”
Six Continents Hotels owns, manages or franchises InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Express by Holiday Inn and Staybridge Suites with more than 3,300 hotels in almost 100 countries.

The International Institute For Peace Through Tourism (IIPT) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering and facilitating tourism initiatives which contribute to international understanding and cooperation, an improved quality of environment, the preservation of heritage, and poverty reduction; and through these initiatives, helping to bring about a peaceful and sustainable world.

For detailed information about the IPPT visit www.iipt.org.
IIPT Summit Media contact: Karen Hoffman, The Bradford Group, New York, N.Y, Tel (212) 447-0027; email: [email protected].
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