The new peace park in Turkey, established by the International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT), stands as a powerful testament to reconciliation, remembrance, and the role tourism can play in fostering global understanding.
Located in Kepez, a district of Canakkale near the Dardanelles, the IIPT Kepez Olive Peace Park was officially dedicated on April 23, 2025, coinciding with Türkiye’s National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
From Battlefields to Symbols of Peace
The park’s location is steeped in history. Positioned on the foreshore of the Dardanelles, it faces the Gallipoli Peninsula—site of one of World War I’s most devastating campaigns involving the British, Australian, New Zealand, and Ottoman forces. Now, over a century later, this once-divisive ground has been transformed into a living symbol of respect, reconciliation, and international friendship, reflecting IIPT’s global vision for peace through tourism.
The park features a grove of 100 olive trees, universally recognized as symbols of peace, and serves as both a tranquil space for reflection and a physical embodiment of peacebuilding. Its dedication aligns with the IIPT’s mission to create environments that promote healing, dialogue, and sustainability.
Children Lead the Way to Peace
Given the park’s inauguration fell on National Children’s Day in Türkiye, the event was uniquely vibrant and meaningful. Children from Çanakkale, North Macedonia, and Bulgaria came together to perform songs and dances—adding an emotional and hopeful tone to the proceedings. Their performances reflected IIPT’s core belief that peace begins with young people and that cultural connection fosters global harmony.
This celebration of youth also emphasized how peace parks can serve as tools for education and global citizenship. By engaging children from multiple countries in artistic collaboration, the event demonstrated how tourism and cultural exchange can inspire the next generation of peacebuilders.
Global Dignitaries Unite in Kepez
The dedication was attended by an international delegation of dignitaries and peace leaders. Among them were Mayor Birol Arslan of Kepez, Timothy Marshall, Chairman of the IIPT Board, Gail Parsonage (President, IIPT Australia), Jovan Popescu (President, IIPT Serbia), and Andreas Larentzakis (IIPT Executive Director). Also in attendance was Meridian Biziak representing the Australian Embassy—symbolizing how former adversaries now come together in the spirit of unity.
During the event, Timothy Marshall conveyed messages from IIPT founder Lou D’Amore and Global President Ajay Prakash, emphasizing IIPT’s commitment to collaboration with Türkiye and its dedication to nurturing peace through tourism. Later that evening, the delegation was hosted at the Iris Hotel in Çanakkale by Ruveyde Ergon, who received an IIPT Global Peace Hotels membership award for the property’s alignment with peace tourism values.
IIPT Peace Parks Around the World
| Country | City/Location | Year Established |
|---|---|---|
| Turkey | Kepez, Canakkale | 2025 |
| Serbia | Novi Sad | 2023 |
| South Africa | Durban | 2002 |
| Jordan | Petra | 2000 |
| Canada | Niagara Falls | 1990 |
Tourism’s Role in Building Peace
The Kepez Olive Peace Park joins a global network of over 450 IIPT Peace Parks designed to elevate tourism as a platform for fostering peace, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. These parks aim to:
- Nurture the growth of peace and understanding both locally and globally
- Promote awareness of a community’s commitment to peace and a healthy environment
- Create inclusive spaces for celebration, reflection, and shared heritage
- Encourage tourists to engage meaningfully with local people and places
This park exemplifies how tourism can go beyond recreation to become a transformational force—building bridges between cultures, generations, and former adversaries. In places once defined by war, like Gallipoli, it now plants the seeds of unity and remembrance.
A Legacy Rooted in Olive Trees
The decision to plant olive trees at the IIPT Kepez Peace Park is rich with symbolism. In Mediterranean cultures, the olive tree represents life, peace, and continuity. Its resilience mirrors the enduring nature of peace-building efforts. The grove offers a space for both locals and travelers to reflect, remember, and renew their commitment to a more peaceful world.
By placing this initiative in such a historically resonant location, the IIPT reclaims a space of past suffering and reimagines it as a sanctuary for hope, connection, and learning. Tourism here becomes a healing act—an invitation to walk forward in peace while honoring the footsteps of history.
