NEW YORK -- Jordan's King Abdullah II announced his country will
host the Global Summit on Peace Through Tourism from Nov. 8 to 11
in Amman.
The event is being organized by the International Institute for
Peace Through Tourism, with American Express as title sponsor.
The meeting, to be held shortly before the late King Hussein's
birthday, will honor the monarch's legacy as a peacemaker in the
Middle East and his commitment to expanding tourism to the
region.
"The peaceful environment that we enjoy in Jordan today makes my
country a natural home for Global Summit 2000," King Abdullah II
said at the announcement in New York.
"Through the summit, we build bridges to connect mankind and
recognize the importance of understanding the diverse cultures that
we are today."
For Jordan, he added, "the travel industry is a vitally
important dimension of sustainable growth."
Harvey Golub, chairman and chief executive officer of American
Express Company, will deliver a keynote address at the summit.
"American Express is honored to play a major role in the global
summit," Golub said.
"While it's obvious that peace makes a difference for the travel
and tourism industry, it's exciting to think that travel and
tourism can also make a difference for peace."
Summit organizers said that Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon
Peres, currently Israel's minister for regional cooperation and
former prime minister, accepted an invitation to speak.
The summit's theme is Building a Culture of Peace Through
Tourism.
In addition to American Express, summit sponsors include Air
Harbour Technologies, International Traders, Reed Travel
Exhibitions, Zara Investments, b-there.com and Travel World
News.
Royal Jordanian Airlines is the official air carrier for the
summit, and Grand Hyatt Amman will serve as the headquarter
hotel.
For additional information, e-mail [email protected] or
contact the Jordan Tourist Board at (202) 244-1451.
On-line registration is being accepted at www.b-there.com/iiptglobalsummit