T ravelers I n P eace is a chapter of
the International Institute of Peace Through Tourism

Credo of the Peaceful Traveler

Birth of TIP

IIPT

Sustainable
Tourism Packages

My job is to plan travel that I believe will be of interest to others. My passion is to make that work have true meaning -- to create a travel itinerary, not just for simple pleasure, but to touch -- and enrich -- the lives of those the traveler meets along the way.

On Christmas Day 2005, I met a woman who thought as I did. Laura Minor had been involved with groups like Compassionate Listening, We Refuse to be Enemies, and Pax  Educare."  She told me about these organizations, and their accomplishments.  We had both been looking for a more active way to be involved. On that evening, Travelers in Peace was born.

I had been following the works of IIPT, International Peace Through Tourism, for years.  That Christmas Day Eve, Laura and I decided to form our own chapter.

A few days later, I mentioned this conversation to Adrien Glover (then Senior Editor Online for Budget Travel Magazine, now Managing Editor of Travel and Leisure Magazine Online). “World Peace to be nurtured through travel!” She loved the idea and wanted in.

Being a member of ASTA, and working in the travel industry for the last 11 years, I decided to contact travel agents. Who had a bigger stake and better reason for commitment? Their very livelihoods depend on the love of travel.  I called President and Founder of IIPT Louis D’Amore, who approved our chapter. As we wait to be granted our non-profit status,  we incubate under IIPT’s parent status.

We had our first meeting on April 2, 2006 at the Sahara Mediterranean Restaurant in New Haven Connecticut . This first meeting was sponsored by my employer Fayez Saddik, president of Foreign Independent Tours. FIT sells travel to Egypt , Morocco , Italy and Southern and Eastern Africa .

Fayez told me that “when we travel to a new place, we do so as agents of peace. We come to that country, not as representatives of another government, but as ourselves. As mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers, no different than the people we meet. When we travel, we purchase goods and services in this foreign land. This creates jobs and enriches the economy. How can this not be a good thing? And so, two people, from different backgrounds can break bread together, and begin to learn how similar we really are. We can put our differences aside, and enjoy the new friendship.” 

On June 25, 2006 IIPT-TIP held elections, adopted a mission statement and our chapter name. On September 30^th, we will hold another meeting to start our work in earnest.

So this is my job, to plan travel. I help people make new friends and experience the best riches and resources the world has to offer: people.

My passion, is to help us realize a more peaceful vision, through one-to-one personal contact, and to inspire every traveler to become an ambassador of peace.

Diane Panasci, President
North East USA Chapter - Travelers In Peace
Institute for Peace Through Tourism
And Manager of Marketing and Product Development
 for Foreign Independent Tours
Diane@IIPT-NEUSA.org
203-723-6740 ext 500