Airline Ambassadors joins International Council of Tourism Partners

The International Council of Tourism Partners has announced the recent joining of humanitarian group Airline Ambassadors to their growing list of members. 

ICTP Chairman Jurgen T Steinmetz is especially hopeful about Airline Ambassadors because "such an alliance could lead to so many positive outcomes." 

Airline Ambassadors, founded by American Airlines flight attendant Nancy Rivard, have been doing good work since 1997. "To help children in need and to provide ordinary people the opportunity to travel and make a difference" is the Airline Ambassadors' mission, which lists hand delivering over $9 million worth of medicine, medical supplies, school supplies, clothing and food on missions to 35 countries and to children in 15 cities in the United States as well as escorting more than 600 children to new homes or to receive medical care not available in their home countries as some of their many achievements so far. 

Airline Ambassadors has also involved over 70,000 school children in our humanitarian activities encouraging creative thinking about the global issues as well participated in hundreds of special events and conferences building international understanding and cooperation. Some of the projects that the Airline Ambassadors have lined-up include the August 26 to September 24: United Nations Johannesburg Summit (World Summit on Sustainable Development), the September 9-11: United Nations DPI/NGO Conference, and the September 11: Youth Inspiration Run. According to ICTP Chairman Thomas Steinmetz, there are no joint projects between ICTP and Airline Ambassadors just yet. Steinmetz stated, however, that ICTP is looking in to the possibilities that may arise from Airline Ambassadors membership. 

"Guatemala, Haiti, Romania, El Salvador, Kosovo, Senegal, Nigeria, Colombia, China, Lebanon, Nepal, Africa, India and the Western Sahara... and wherever is the most recent disaster area," wrote Loretta Swit, star of M.A.S.H. and International Spokesperson for Airline Ambassadors, in a message published in Airline Ambassadors' website. 

Airline Ambassadors' humanitarian aid missions provide substantive aid to children in need. "On these journeys of the heart, you can help deliver medical and dental care, first aid, baby and school supplies, clothing, sports equipment and toys," states their website. 

ICTP, on the other hand, is currently working with ASTA for the upcoming World Congress to be held in Honolulu, Hawaii, with OSSN for the upcoming "land of the Pharaohs" in Egypt and with ATTAC to address zero airline commissions to travel-agents.