Representatives of numerous governments, international organizations, NGOs, academic world and private sector gathered in an enchanting city of Salvador de Bahia to exchange experiences and discuss their proposals on how to ensure that the huge and ever growing tourism industry contributes to the creation of the conditions for peace and sustainable economic and social development around the Globe.

As it has been repeatedly stated by several speakers, tourism industry generated US$3.5 trillion in the year 2003, which amounted to 10% of the World GDP. Tourism equally accounts for 10% of all the investments made around the Globe and creates one in every ten jobs on the planet.

This first annual Summit is actually just the beginning of a long term initiative that was launched by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in November of 2003 in Brazilia and is projected to continue next year in Rio de Janeiro, and thereupon in other locations around the World on a regular yearly basis.

"The World Tourism Forum for Peace and Sustainable Development is vitally important for the future of the fastest growing economic sector and even more, for the environmental, cultural and social awareness of tourism in the international community", stressed the World Tourism Organization (WTO). In the words of Mr. Sergio Foguel, President of the Tourism for Peace and Sustainable Development Foundation ". In its essence, the Forum is a pact for a cause - to achieve the tourism's

U.N. Secretary General, Mr. Kofi A. Annan, sent a message to the participants of the Forum saying "This is an initiative in which I believe. I hope that it develops an awareness of how tourism can strengthen the approximation between people of different parts of the world, while highlighting the need for integrated action to protect the environment."

Besides WTO, key partners of the initiative include UNESCO, the United Nations Development Program and the Brazilian Tourism Ministry. The executive partner is Brazil's Insituto de Hospitalidade.

The Forum was inaugurated by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva who expressed his deep commitment to this valuable international meeting and its objectives.

During the first three days of the event, numerous plenary and parallel sessions were held where a varied group of experts and practitioners shared and evaluated the ongoing and proposed projects. All the speakers, panelists and discussants focused on the great potential tourism represents as a vehicle for sustainable development, protection of cultural and biological diversity, and promotion of conditions for understanding, collaboration and peace.

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development was represented at this international event by its Executive Director, Ms. Natasha Despotovic, and its Coordinator of the Tourism Study Group, Mr. Hans Dannenberg.

Among other non profit organizations that were present at this exciting and enriching gathering of minds and wills there were Counterpart International, National Geographic, Earth Voice, Herity, The Humane Society of the United States and Conservation International.

Apart from ensuring the continuity of the initiative through annual meetings, the Forum envisages the creation of the Network of Networks that will operate permanently, on regional and thematic basis, through virtual and on site meetings, as well as the development and implementation of demonstrative projects. The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development will actively participate in all the aspects of this valuable program.

See: www.desti-nations.net