The global youth travel community has lost a visionary, a leader, and a cherished friend. Peter de Jong, Secretary General of FIYTO from 1991-2001, has left behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come.
Peter’s tenure at FIYTO was transformative. He brought strategic vision and innovation to the organisation, forging stronger collaborations with ISTC and giving birth to the joint conference format, WYSTC. His leadership was marked by foresight and expertise.
Peter was a man of many talents, known for his vibrant personality and a zest for life. He could effortlessly transition from high-level strategic meetings to playing piano and singing in a hotel bar.
His cheerfulness, sense of humor, and genuine warmth endeared him to all who knew him. Peter’s friendships were deep and lasting, spanning the globe. Whether in the Netherlands, Copenhagen, Nice or Thailand, he built a network of friends who cherished his kindness, generosity, and infectious energy.
A gathering of FIYTO grandees in the summer of 2024 in the South of France.
Jack Coronna (former FIYTO Chair), Heidi (Peter Ivanovsky’s wife), Jean Marc Mignon (former FIYTO Chair), Jean Marc’s wife, Günther’s wife, Peter Iwanovsky (former ALTO Chair and co-founder), Gunther Thaler (former FIYTO treasurer), Peter de Jong, Lourdes Rebora, Lourdes’ friend.
Fond memories from colleagues and friends
“I got to know Peter de Jong when he became Secretary General of FIYTO in 1991. He has strongly developed FIYTO, improved the organisation and brought it into new forms. With his open and friendly manner, he facilitated close co-operation with ISTC and brought the new joint conference form WYSTC to life. Peter was a strategic thinker and experienced expert in tourism.
Peter was a multilingual, creative lateral thinker. He could work hard and party hard. Peter couldn’t resist a piano in a hotel bar and often entertained large crowds of enthusiastic listeners with his piano skills and singing. But it wasn’t just at the piano that Peterexcelled, his writing of newspaper articles and profound speeches at conferences and meetings were also his outstanding strengths.
Anyone who made Peter a friend had a loyal and loving person at their side and always had something to laugh about. His cheerfulness, his sense of humour were always a reason for a convivial reunion and get-together. This was also the reason for his large network of friends and colleagues all over the world.
His sudden death has affected us all deeply and we cannot believe that Peter is no longer with us.”
Günther Thaler
FIYTO Treasurer, 1996 – 2004
“I will always remember Peter as a reliable, highly intelligent and professional partner at work and even more so as a warm hearted friend full of energy and a great sense of humour.”
Peter Iwanovsky
ALTO Chairman, 1998 -2001, and member of the FIYTO Executive Board
“It’s with immense sadness that I was informed of Peter’s passing. We had lots of memories. Would always see him when home in Copenhagen or in Nice and Thailand several times. He was so humain kind and generous. The picture is when I totally admired him with the piano and taken in Thailand.”
Birte Larsen
“So sad, I am shocked. We worked with Peter many years during the cooperation ITB Berlin with FIYTO. Never forget his outstanding performance as MC at ITB Berlin opening 2016 at ITB’s 50th anniversary.”
Holger Wilke
Wayz Gmbh and ITB
“Peter assisted us to set up the IAPA International Au pair foundation. Jack and i meet him in Amsterdam at the time and he supported the Idea and concept right from the start. A good man and very good piano player….”
Mathias Ohm
IAPA Founding President/ Chair
“It is indeed a profound loss to our industry and the youth travel community. Meeting him for the first time in Copenhagen in 1994, when he served as the Secretary General of FIYTO, left a lasting impression. The FIYTO office, being right next door to ISIC, where Roger Charles was the Secretary General, fostered an environment of collaboration and shared vision.
That initial meeting sparked meaningful cooperation, which was further strengthened by his visits to Cairo and engagements with the UNWTO conferance at that time. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire us as we carry forward the mission of empowering youth travel and education.”
Ashraf Wali
CEO, ESTS and former WYSE Management Board member
“He was a gentleman and bright and funny. Did a awful lot for FIYTO and was legendary in our field. RIP.”
William Gertz
Chairman, AIFS
“Sad to hear of Peter’s passing. He was a smart leader, a creative mind and a fun personality. I had the privilege to visit with him in different parts of the world, and got to know his family. He is missed.
We all are saddened by the sudden passing of Peter and our thoughts go to his family and friends.
Kevin Morgan
iTEP – Academic Language Solutions
We understand that the funeral was in Thailand in early January and that Peter’s son Sjôerd will be organising a memorial in the Netherlands later in the year.
Peter de Jong’s life was a testament to the power of connection, creativity, and compassion. He was a leader, a friend, and a force of nature who brought people together and made the world a little brighter. His legacy will live on in the hearts of those he inspired and the many lives he touched. Rest in peace, Peter.
PDJ had a very well defined sense of humour and as result our meetings were all hugely amusing affairs, a combination of hard work and fun. As a result our board meetings were well attended and members always turned up.
I was privileged to have him chez moi in Juan les Pins recently as a guest for a week and the day before he passed away he sent us a very amusing and
risqué De. Jong Bon mot.
RIP dear friend
Peter was unique. One of a kind.
He had so many talents being multi- lingual, a true professional, huge charm and great dancer and musician, but above all a very good person. I feel privileged to have been his colleague and friend and to have shared memorable moments with him which will always hold a special place in my heart. Two in particular:
– A long weekend at home in Valle de Bravo after the WYSTC CanCun Conference where we could’t stop laughing and dancing all day long with a group of musicians and with very dear friends like Jack Coronna, Lourdes Rebora, Gûnther Taller, Jean Marc Mignon, Peter Iwanovsky, among others.
• And another time in Rio where he, accompanied by Watusi (a famous dancer at that time), introduced me to the most fantastic Bossa night clubs where he was very well known.
Thank you Peter for all you left with us. We will cherish these memories dearly and you will live in them forever.
Thank you all for the most amazing stories and kind words about my father. He was nothing short of legendary in my eyes, and I can only hope to make even half the impact that he made on those he considered his friends.
May he rest in peace
I was one of the lucky members of the Executive Comittee of Fyito when we were looking for a new Secretary General for the Association back in 1991
Jose Carlos, also a member, suggested Peter de Jong as a candidate .
In those days Peter was living and working in Brasil, and Jose Carlos knew him and had become good friends
I remember that as soon as we interviewed him, we all knew that he was the man!
I can only reafirmed everything that has been said about him, both personal and profesional
As Jack pointed out, to attend the EC meetings those days, were both exciting and enjoyable ,
Jean Marc, Peter I. Gunther Jose Carlos Jack and
of course Peter de Jong who was responsible for a very high percentage of that
IMy friends and Colleagues of that EC , all remembered with horror the previous meetings with the former General Secretary!!
Due to a technological mistake I could not get the invitation for the September meetng in Southern France, something I really regret, but, I do not know how, Peter got in touch with me back in November asking for help to look for a place to rent anywhere in Spain but the Coast form January till April this year 2025, because he had decided that his escapade to Europe this year wanted to make it to Spain, I really was excited looking forward that posibility, which was going to allowed me to share some time together, and was looking for a place for ” a poor retired dutch as he told me!
So I was really in shock when I receivedJean Marc´s email with the news of his death
I will always remember him as a great guy, good friend and fun and hard working person
RIP
Paco Merino
President
SHE Spanish Heritage