COMMUNITY TOURISM NETWORK ON THE MOVE IN AFRICA
Diana McIntyre-Pike, Founder and president, Countrystyle Community Tourism Network and Villages as Businesses (CCTN/VAB) headquartered in Jamaica, is building on the recent induction (August 2016) into the Hall of Fame of the African Diaspora World Tourism for her contribution to Cultural Heritage. CCTN/VAB has made its foray into Africa through its connections with South Africa and has established Africa Community Tourism Network together with the IIPT International Community Tourism Network to tap into the growing desire worldwide for cultural exchange and vacation programmes.
The Africa Community Tourism Network, is a joint partnership with a distinguished team headed by Solomon A. Mruka, Coordinator and Nikki DePina, Asst. Coordinator. Working together with the Africa Community Tourism Network, the team will roll out a strategic plan for 2017 which is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and the IIPT’s 30th Anniversary. The Network will support the development of Community Tourism in Africa and encourage study tours & vacations to discover African cultural heritage, which is endorsed by The Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA–ACL). It will encourage African nations to make linkages with other countries where their heritage exists.
Rev. Solomon Mruka, Coordinator of the Africa Community Tourism Network, based in Kenya, is
an Anglican priest, a PhD candidate, partner of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses and member of the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT). He lectures in Development Studies, Policy Analysis and Design, Social Ethics and Integrity, and Changes in Rural Societies at JOOUST, a Kenyan public university. He was amongst the presenters at the 25th World International Institute of Peace through Tourism (IIPT) Symposium in South Africa, 2015, at the Educators Forum. Rev. Mruka said “Let us endeavor to begin our respective duties and appropriately link up and consult one another for the successful growth of Africa’s tourism and peace.”
Nikki de Pinah is a partner of Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses, based in South Africa and is a member of IIPT. She is an ardent advocate for social justice, committed to transformation through creating platforms aimed at nonviolence and an end to conflict. Her numerous accomplishments include being placed as key facilitator to support transformation processes within high profile corporate entities in South Africa. Her extensive work experience spanning 30 years, has been in the field of public relations, organizational development, project management, training & networking and group facilitation.
Three African leaders have been appointed to be representatives for the Africa Community Tourism Network: Ritah Aligum of Uganda; Cyprien Semushi of Rwanda and Ana Constancia David of Mozambique. In addition, from the UK, newly appointed Director of International Diaspora Relations for CCTN/VAB, sent his regards in this statement “I am delighted to welcome the Africa Community Tourism Network and build relationships across our Diaspora communities within UK, USA and Canada”.
Founder/President of the CCTN/VAB and Coordinator of the IIPT International Community Tourism Network, Diana McIntyre-Pike said “the formation of the Africa Community Tourism Network will assist with the empowerment of communities to become entrepreneurs through the Academy for Community Tourism (ACT) to enable them to realise their potential within their own environment.”
IIPT Founder and President, Louis D’Amore expressed “We are delighted to see the mission of IIPT assisting communities in Africa with their socio-economic development and the message of “Peace through Tourism” being expressed through the growing number of communities being dedicated as IIPT/Skal Towns and Villages of Peace.”
About IIPT :
The International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is a not for profit organization dedicated to fostering travel and tourism initiatives that 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. It is founded on a vision of the world’s largest industry, travel and tourism becoming the world’s first global peace industry; and the belief that every traveler is potentially an Ambassador for Peace. IIPT Website: www.iipt.org |
About CCTN/VAB:
CCTN/Villages as Businesses programme creates economic opportunities for community persons interested in investing in their communities by offering Community Tourism products and attractions that build on unique natural, cultural and human capital. The village programme markets authentic lifestyles, people and experiences to local and international visitors. It views the tourism product of the Caribbean as relating not only to specific ‘resort areas’ or traditional tourism establishments but to the entire country. It also sees Community Tourism not as an end in itself, to be relied on as a primary industry, but as a catalyst to broader economic, social and cultural development, innovation and entrepreneurship. Community Tourism and the Villages As Businesses Programme offer a powerful and practical vehicle for training in hospitality skills, small business management, product development and marketing, They also build awareness of the value for care of natural, cultural and heritage assets. www.accesscommunitytourism.com www.villagesasbusinesses.com
PHOTO CAPTIONS:
Rev. Solomon Mruka
Nikki De Pinah
Diana McIntyre-Pike
Contact: Diana McIntyre-Pike
Founder/President
CCTN/VAB & President, IIPT Caribbean
876-507-6326 |
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1 (876) 275-3169 (Mobile) Jamaica
1 (404) 924-1933 (Ofs) Atlanta
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