Richard North CEO of Six Continents Hotels receives World Peace Gong

Richard North, chief executive officer of Six Continents Hotels, was awarded a replica of World Peace Gong at the recent Second Global Summit for Peace through Tourism in recognition of his support for the event.

North delivered a keynote address at the Summit on how tourism can help to  alleviate poverty and was presented with the award by Mr. Setyanto P. Santosa, the executive chairman of the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Board. The World Peace Gong was launched on 1 January 2003 by Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

The Summit was held in Geneva from 5-8 February. It was the initiative of the  International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), in partnership with the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). Delegates included leading educators, policymakers, government and nongovernmental organisations and business leaders in travel, tourism, culture, heritage, parks and  environmental bodies. Six Continents was a major sponsor of the event, and funded a dance performance by Balinese dancers, as an expression of  solidarity with the people of Bali and Indonesia in their efforts to rebuild confidence in tourism to Bali.

Richard North, CEO Six Continents Hotels commented, “It is a great honour  to have been awarded a replica of the World Peace Gong. On behalf of Six Continents Hotels, I would like to reiterate our ongoing dedication to this cause, and our co-operation and commitment to a peaceful and sustainable  world.”