he International Council of Tourism Partners is calling for the tourism industry to join the global campaign to eradicate poverty.

During ITB Berlin, ICTP will outline its global initiative to get the Tourism Industry and tourists themselves to buy into the “Make Tourism History Campaign” by promoting the wearing of a distinctive white wristband.

The ICTP initiative will highlight tourism support for:

• The Millennium Development Goals
• The particular challenges and opportunities for Africa
• The need to boost aid, eliminate debt and advance fair trade
• The central importance of the fight against HIV Aids

The Campaign will be unveiled at the ICTP Press Conference on 12 March at 16h00 at the ICC.

ICTP President Geoffrey Lipman said ” ICTP has aligned itself squarely behind the campaign supported by Nelson Mandela in London in February 2005, where he called for all leaders to recognise that the world is hungry for action not words, and said that leaders had to act with courage and vision.”

Lipman continued, “We want to see millions of travellers and travel professionals support this global imperative by the simple act of wearing a white band, showing also ICTP’s other supporting initiative – the red AIDS ribbon. As the world’s largest industry we should play our part in the fight against poverty. ICTP will make this the pivotal plank of our socially responsible tourism strategy.”

For further information contact the ICTP team at the ICTP stand in Hall 10, stand no. 120 or contact ICTP at manager@tourismpartners.org

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NOTE FOR EDITORS
The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a force for socially responsible and sustainable travel. ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics and a range of programs that underpin them. Members in 120 countries across the globe are from public sector, private sector & civil society – organizations and individuals. Its Advisory Board is drawn from industry and government policymakers. ICTP provides a web-based platform for the industry to showcase socially responsible tourism strategy and a constant connection to decision makers at the highest level.

Contact: Karen Hay at manager@tourismpartners.org