The International Council of Tourism Partners condemns today's attack on freedom-loving citizens in Egypt's Sharm el Sheik. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.
Following the horrendous attacks in London last week, ICTP unequivocally aligned itself with the war on terror.
We re-iterate that support after the new horror in Sharm el Sheikh - clearly aimed at the growing tourist bridge to peace and reconciliation in the region.
As in all wars, the cost in terms of human suffering is horrendous - innocent victims and their families.
But there is only one message that must be sent to the perpetrators and that is the message of civilization against barbarism.
Those who hide behind such cowardly acts such are attacking one of the most fundamental right every human in entitled to: the freedom to travel in peace.
We shall have to continue to adapt our lifestyles while the terror continues - like it or not that includes travel for work and leisure.
But we must only adapt in ways that strengthen our resolve to pursue the values that decent people have espoused for centuries.
Attackers aim to disrupt and cause fear. ICTP hopes that the traveling public sees through this aim and seizes every effort to fight back through increased vigilance and flexibility. The tourism industry is resilient, and travel is safe.
Through our affiliate eTurboNews, the International Council of Tourism Partners s giving the industry unprecedented access to instantaneous global communication to keep open the dialogue and share pertinent information about the situation. We ask all stakeholders in tourism to take advantage of this.
Sharm el Sheik, Egypt has our full support
Jurgen Steinmetz
Chairman
Geoffrey Lipman
President
International Council of Tourism Partners
www.TourismPartners.org
About ICTP:
ICTP - The International Council of Tourism Partners is a force for socially responsible travel. With members across the globe, the ICTP supports the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, the World Tourism Organization's Code of Ethics and a range of programs that underpin them. It supports research, information sharing and effective action throughout the tourism industry.
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