Bermuda's Premier of Tourism and Transport to Headline IIPT Conference

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. October 14, 2008

FEBRUARY 5, 2007. The Bermuda Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport, The Hon. Dr. Ewart F. Brown, JP, MP will be a keynote speaker at the 4th IIPT African Conference on Peace through Tourism.

This is being held May 20 - 25 in Kampala, Uganda under the patronage of H. E. Yomeri Kaguta Museveni. The conference is being organized by IIPT - the International Institute for Peace through Tourism - in partnership with the Africa travel Association (ATA) in support of the UN Decade of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World and the UN Millenium Development Goals. As Minister of Tourism and Transport, and Deputy Premier, Dr. Brown hosted the 2006 Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail Conference held in Bermuda, September 2006.

The goal of the 2006 conference was to provide a continuing forum for sharing philosophies, policies, resources, strategic models, and cultural expression that enhance heritage tourism development and stimulate the perpetuation of African Diaspora Heritage Trail destinations, programs and products - all crafted from the perspective of people of the African Diaspora working to conserve the vast achievements of Africa's cultures.

Over a period of almost four centuries, four million Africans were transported to North America and the Caribbean Islands in the Atlantic Slave trade, the largest forced migration in world history. The African Diaspora is the story of how African people, though scattered and dispersed, managed to retain their traditions and reform their identities in a New World.

It was the vision of former Minister of Tourism, the late Honorable David H. Allen JP, MP that the African Diaspora Heritage Trail would link historic and cultural sites throughout the countries Hon. David Allen, the late Minister of Tourism, Bermuda of the Diaspora, so that potential visitors could follow its global trail and be properly educated on sites of significance. Sites in Bermuda, the Caribbean, South, Central America, Africa and the United States would be identified and linked together. The African Diaspora Heritage Trail identifies, conserves and promotes historic sites, linking 500 years of the history of people of African descent, and serving to focus attention on a unified culture, history and heritage.

IIPT looks forward to continuing its support of the Africa Diaspora Heritage Trail as part of the 4th IIPT African Conference goals.

Other Confirmed Keynote Speakers include: Hon. Kabinga Pande, Minister of Tourism, Republic of Zambia; Mr. H. E. Joseph Malwal Dong, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Sudan, H.E. Senator Akel Biltaji, Special Advisor to H.M. King Abdulah II, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; Sir Janantilal (Andy) Chande, KBE; Renee Webb, former Minister of Tourism and Communications, Bermuda; Birger B"ackman, former Director General and currently Senior Advisor to the Board of Directors, United Federation of Travel Agencies Associations (UFTAA) Board; and Anastasia Mann, Chairman and CEO, Corniche Travel Group.

Kampala Serena Hotel to be Venue and Official Hotel of 4th IIPT African Conference We are pleased to announce that the Kampala Serena Hotel has been selected as the Conference Venue and Official Hotel of the 4th IIPT African Conference. The hotel is the latest addition to the Serena Group of Hotels, owned and operated by Tourism Promotion Services (TPS), an arm of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED).

The five star Kampala Serena Hotel is a milestone for Uganda's tourism industry. It is the most recent of the Serena Group of Hotels 17 properties in Africa as part of its mandate to contribute to sustainable economic growth in an environmentally and culturally sensitive manner. At its Official Opening on November 10, 2006, President Museveni congratulated the AKFED for its contribution to the country saying "The story of the Serena is the story of the recovery of Uganda. The fact that you can have such a world-class hotel in Uganda is proof that Uganda is recovering."

Also speaking at the hotel's inauguration ceremony, His Highness the Aga Khan said, " Our intention is that this major new hotel in the Capital City of Uganda can be followed by a quality circuit of new resorts and safari lodges in the Ugandan His Highness the Aga Khan and His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni arrive at the inauguration of the Serena Hotel in Kampala, Uganda. Photo credit: AKDN/Gary Otte countryside. When that happens, a new East African travel circuit will be completed

-- featuring world class, state-of-the-art facilities, comprising a unique array of inspiring attractions, and offering a holiday experience second-to-none."

The Serena Kampala Hotel is part of a broad development program in Uganda that includes healthcare; primary, secondary and tertiary education; training for professionals, including nurses and doctors, infrastructure projects that include hydroelectricity and rural electrification, and other private sector initiatives that include the fabrication of fish nets for Lake Victoria's fishermen, the manufacture of essential pharmaceuticals and the operation of important media outlets.

In announcing the Kamapla Serena decision, IIPT Founder and President said, "The Serena Group of Hotels provides an exemplary model of the potential for the tourism and hospitality industry to serve a "higher purpose" as IIPT has advocated since its founding in 1986. We look forward to working with the highly professional management and staff of the Kampala Serena in making this the best IIPT African Conference to date."