Inaugural World Religious Travel Expo Brings Several “Firsts,” including Unprecedented Panel
of Tourism Officials from Palestine, Israel, Jordan & Egypt that Signals Greater Holy Land Tourism Co-Op
LITTLETON, Colorado (Nov. 4, 2008) – The inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference concluded Saturday after a week of “firsts” – the tourism minister of Palestine made her first foray into a North American trade show, marketing holy sites such as Bethlehem and Nazareth; participants from 30 countries on six continents gathered for the first large-scale gathering to promote and develop the $18 billion worldwide faith tourism industry; and WRTA announced that its second annual expo would be held next November in conjunction with the 2009 National Tour Association (NTA) annual convention.
“Faith tourism is no longer a niche, but a full-blown industry,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “The tremendous response from global tourism leaders and organizations to our first trade show and conference clearly demonstrates that our partners around the world are committed to developing and promoting meaningful products and services that meet the needs of today’s faith-based travelers.”
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, travel suppliers and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land were represented at this assembly of global leaders in the religious travel industry. Keynote speakers included the Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; the Honorable Akel E. Biltaji, Jordan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism and Special Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II; Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines; and Steve Born, Vice-President, Globus Family of Brands. Other dignitaries and special guests included Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Palestine; David Pereira Catarino, Mayor of Ourém (Fatima), Portugal; and Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner for North and South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT).
According to Daibes, the Palestinian tourism minister, the WRTA Expo marked her “first step in positioning Palestine as part of the Holy Land.” ACA Travel and Tourism, a private Bethlehem-based faith travel company that operates tours in Jordan, Israel and Palestine, had a booth at the WRTA Expo, a first American trade presence for any private tourism enterprise from Bethlehem.
During a panel Friday moderated by Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board of North America, Palestine’s Daibes and Israel’s Sommer explained that the Holy Land has welcomed travelers for more than two thousand years and hospitality lies at the core of the region’s heritage. Both officials also stated that 2008 is serving as one of the best years ever on record for visitors to the Holy Land. Asfour, who has promoted Jordan to North Americans since 1998, called the panel groundbreaking because it marked the first time that officials from all areas of the Holy Land – Israel, Palestine, Jordan and Egypt – have come together to promote the region to the North American travel industry. Asfour congratulated Wright for doing what no travel official had done before – and commented that the WRTA Expo could mark the beginning of a new era of cooperation and promotion of the Holy Land to travelers from North America.
Other highlights of the WRTA Expo:
• Vanderpool-Wallace, tourism minister of the Bahamas, reminded participants that his country was founded by people seeking religious tolerance and freedom, so it is only natural that faith-based travelers would be attracted to the people and culture of the Bahamas. The Caribbean nation, a popular destination for faith-based cruises and conferences, has the only tourism ministry in the world with a full-time religious travel department in North America, headed by deputy director Linville Johnson.
• Biltaji, often described as the godfather of Jordanian tourism, shared an update on the Abraham Path Initiative, a route of tourism that retraces the journey made by Abraham (Ibrahim) through the heart of the Middle East some four thousand years ago. Biltaji, a board member of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT), told the Expo audience that a walking segment of the Jordanian portion of the path (near the ancient birthplace of the prophet Elijah) is complete. A film on the project can be viewed at http://www.abrahampath.org/video_friend.php. The network of trails is scheduled to open slowly over the next several years. Biltaji explained that such an undertaking needs the support of the entire global faith tourism industry. He emphasized the benefits of the path -- sustainable tourism, inter-cultural and inter-religious understanding. (Three and a half billion people — over half the human family — trace their history or faith back to Abraham, considered the father of monotheism. The Abraham Path honors this shared cultural heritage by linking together into a single itinerary of outstanding interest and beauty of the ancient sites associated with Abraham and his family.)
• The Mexico Tourism Board, which estimates that religious travel will account for twenty percent of its 2008 foreign arrivals, presented a lively display of Mexican culture, history and religious products, including the Basilica of our Lady of Guadalupe, its most visited Catholic sanctuary, which drew more than 14 million visitors in 2006.
Expo participants had access to workshops and presentations on the entire spectrum of faith-based tourism, which today is more than just pilgrimages – it attracts travelers on cruises, volunteer vacations, adventure trips (even African safaris), leisure vacations, conferences and events, such as the World Youth Day, one of the largest gatherings of any kind. The exhibitors and products at the WRTA Expo showed the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside overtly religious travel suppliers such as the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, were those with a less obvious connection, such as:
• EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
• Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
• Mexico, Romania, Korea, Jamaica, Bermuda and Bahamas tourism ministries
• Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)
More than 500 participants attended the historic event, held Oct. 29-Nov. 1 at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando. Expo delegates said they were impressed with the professionalism of the event, the quality of exhibitors and attendees, and the business opportunities the event fostered:
• “It was truly a first class event- from your pick of convention centers, to the amazing food, to the wonderful panel discussions and break-out sessions and everything else that went into the 3-day Expo. The expo proved to be very enlightening for me, learning so much about faith based travel, and the travel industry in and of itself. I met a great group of people who shared some valuable information with me. It was also a success from a business point of view since I believe I generated a lot of excitement about my hiking tours to Israel.” – Judy Mizrachi, President, Women Walkers
• “I just returned from the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference in Orlando, organized by Mr. Kevin J. Wright and his wonderful team. As an exhibitor I was most impressed with the exceptional services provided to everyone attending, the attention to detail, how true the show was to its faith-based focus etc. This list could go on forever. I highly recommend the World Religious Travel Association; I am surely looking forward to continuing our cooperation.” – Sandra Weinacht, CEO, Incantato Tours & Concert Management
• “Thank you so much for putting together a great conference for everyone in the faith-based travel industry! I had a great time, made many contacts and learned a lot in the seminars! I truly appreciate all the work that you put into the event. I especially appreciate the matchmaking list. It will allow me to follow up with new contacts and friends much more easily now that the conference is over.” - Tracie R. Heidt, Executive Director, Stellaris Christian Study Abroad
• “The Expo and conference was a wonderful way to introduce everyone to the power of the Faith Tourism market.” – Bill Lawrence, Director, Supplier Strategies, CCRA International, Inc.
Next year’s Expo will be held in Reno, Nevada in conjunction with the annual convention of the National Tour Association (NTA). Currently, 35 percent of NTA operators offer religious tour products, and NTA and WRTA seek to expand the overall growth of faith tourism by bringing both memberships opportunities for education and professional development.
The WRTA Expo is the brainchild of Wright, an award-winning author of several religious travel guidebooks who founded WRTA in January, 2007. His latest book, “The Christian Travel Planner,” (released 2008 by Thomas Nelson) is the most comprehensive guidebook ever published on faith-based travel. An updated version of his popular “Europe’s Monastery & Convent Guesthouses” was released Nov. 1 by Liguori Publications.
The WRTA Expo was the official kick-off of “The Year of Faith Tourism.” Serving as a special time set aside for the promotion of and participation in travel by people of faith, the purpose and goals of the yearlong celebrations and activities are: (1) Highlight the New Era of Faith Tourism. (2) Increase the awareness of the personal and communal benefits of Faith Tourism. (3) Contribute to the overall growth and health of the global economy, travel industry, and individual travel providers.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
Global Travel Industry Shines Spotlight on Faith Tourism
GLOBAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY SHINES SPOTLIGHT ON FAITH TOURISM
DURING DIM ECONOMIC TIMES
World Religious Travel Expo Draws Participants from 30 Countries, 6 continents to Orlando
LITTLETON, Colorado (October 27, 2008) – Faith-based travel has made believers out of tourism leaders from around the world – as travel officials, providers and planners from 30 countries on six continents will gather in Orlando, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, for the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference. Although religious travel is one of the oldest forms of tourism, dating back to ancient times, the expo will be the first global marketplace gathering ever to take place.
The expo comes in the same month that the comic documentary “Religulous” fills screens with Bill Maher traveling the globe to challenge the validity of various faiths. Proof that despite its detractors, religion is not only relevant to people – it is vital. In fact, religious travel is so hot right now that the travel industry looks to capitalize on it while other parts of the travel sector have gone cold during the current economic downturn.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, travel suppliers and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of global leaders in the $18 billion faith tourism industry. Keynote speakers include the Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; the Honorable Akel E. Biltaji, Jordan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism and Special Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II; Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines; and Steve Born, Vice-President, Globus Family of Brands. Other dignitaries and special guests include Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Palestine; David Pereira Catarino, Mayor of Ourém (Fatima), Portugal; and Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner for North and South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism.
“Faith tourism has evolved to the point where a gathering of this magnitude is necessary for the industry to respond to the needs of today’s faith-based consumers,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “Our global partners recognize that – just as in music, books and film – contemporary religious consumers represent tremendous market potential for travel organizations willing to provide meaningful products and services that meet their specific needs. With its wide variety of travel experiences and attractions that draw thousands of faith-based groups each year, Central Florida is the ideal destination to launch this inaugural Expo.”
Faith-based tourism today is more than just pilgrimages – it attracts travelers on cruises, volunteer vacations, adventure trips (even African safaris), leisure vacations, conferences and events, such as the World Youth Day, one of the largest gatherings of any kind. The exhibitors and products at the WRTA Expo show the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside obvious religious travel suppliers such as the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, are those with a less overt connection, such as:
• EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
• Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
• Romanian Tourist Office
• Korea Tourism Organization
• Jamaica, Bermuda and Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
• Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)
The gathering will bring the world of faith tourism to the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center, in the heart of the Orlando/Kissimmee tourism hub.
"The Kissimmee area and the Osceola County tourism community feel blessed to host WRTA's first-ever gathering of faith-based tourism professionals,” said Tom Lang, director of the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our hope is that every conference and tradeshow participant will feel welcome in our community, and that they will find time to avail themselves of our area's natural and man-made sanctuaries."
Participants will have the option to visit Orlando’s own Holy Land Experience, WordSpring Discovery Center and the master studio of The JESUS Film Project during a special excursion led by Wright, the award-winning author of several religious travel guidebooks. His latest, “The Christian Travel Planner,” (released 2008 by Thomas Nelson) is the most comprehensive guidebook ever published on faith-based travel. And an updated version of his popular “Europe’s Monastery & Convent Guesthouses” is due out in November by Liguori Publications.
The WRTA Expo is the official kick-off of “The Year of Faith Tourism.” Serving as a special time set aside for the promotion of and participation in travel by people of faith, the purpose and goals of the yearlong celebrations and activities are: (1) Highlight the New Era of Faith Tourism. (2) Increase the awareness of the personal and communal benefits of Faith Tourism. (3) Contribute to the overall growth and health of the global economy, travel industry, and individual travel providers.
An estimated 500 participants are expected at the historic event.
For more information, including the schedule and complete list of exhibitors and speakers, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.
###
DURING DIM ECONOMIC TIMES
World Religious Travel Expo Draws Participants from 30 Countries, 6 continents to Orlando
LITTLETON, Colorado (October 27, 2008) – Faith-based travel has made believers out of tourism leaders from around the world – as travel officials, providers and planners from 30 countries on six continents will gather in Orlando, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, for the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference. Although religious travel is one of the oldest forms of tourism, dating back to ancient times, the expo will be the first global marketplace gathering ever to take place.
The expo comes in the same month that the comic documentary “Religulous” fills screens with Bill Maher traveling the globe to challenge the validity of various faiths. Proof that despite its detractors, religion is not only relevant to people – it is vital. In fact, religious travel is so hot right now that the travel industry looks to capitalize on it while other parts of the travel sector have gone cold during the current economic downturn.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, travel suppliers and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of global leaders in the $18 billion faith tourism industry. Keynote speakers include the Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; the Honorable Akel E. Biltaji, Jordan’s Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism and Special Advisor to His Majesty King Abdullah II; Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines; and Steve Born, Vice-President, Globus Family of Brands. Other dignitaries and special guests include Dr. Khouloud Daibes, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Palestine; David Pereira Catarino, Mayor of Ourém (Fatima), Portugal; and Arie Sommer, Tourism Commissioner for North and South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism.
“Faith tourism has evolved to the point where a gathering of this magnitude is necessary for the industry to respond to the needs of today’s faith-based consumers,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “Our global partners recognize that – just as in music, books and film – contemporary religious consumers represent tremendous market potential for travel organizations willing to provide meaningful products and services that meet their specific needs. With its wide variety of travel experiences and attractions that draw thousands of faith-based groups each year, Central Florida is the ideal destination to launch this inaugural Expo.”
Faith-based tourism today is more than just pilgrimages – it attracts travelers on cruises, volunteer vacations, adventure trips (even African safaris), leisure vacations, conferences and events, such as the World Youth Day, one of the largest gatherings of any kind. The exhibitors and products at the WRTA Expo show the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside obvious religious travel suppliers such as the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, are those with a less overt connection, such as:
• EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
• Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
• Romanian Tourist Office
• Korea Tourism Organization
• Jamaica, Bermuda and Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
• Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)
The gathering will bring the world of faith tourism to the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center, in the heart of the Orlando/Kissimmee tourism hub.
"The Kissimmee area and the Osceola County tourism community feel blessed to host WRTA's first-ever gathering of faith-based tourism professionals,” said Tom Lang, director of the Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Our hope is that every conference and tradeshow participant will feel welcome in our community, and that they will find time to avail themselves of our area's natural and man-made sanctuaries."
Participants will have the option to visit Orlando’s own Holy Land Experience, WordSpring Discovery Center and the master studio of The JESUS Film Project during a special excursion led by Wright, the award-winning author of several religious travel guidebooks. His latest, “The Christian Travel Planner,” (released 2008 by Thomas Nelson) is the most comprehensive guidebook ever published on faith-based travel. And an updated version of his popular “Europe’s Monastery & Convent Guesthouses” is due out in November by Liguori Publications.
The WRTA Expo is the official kick-off of “The Year of Faith Tourism.” Serving as a special time set aside for the promotion of and participation in travel by people of faith, the purpose and goals of the yearlong celebrations and activities are: (1) Highlight the New Era of Faith Tourism. (2) Increase the awareness of the personal and communal benefits of Faith Tourism. (3) Contribute to the overall growth and health of the global economy, travel industry, and individual travel providers.
An estimated 500 participants are expected at the historic event.
For more information, including the schedule and complete list of exhibitors and speakers, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.
###
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Nebraska Travel Conference welcomes faith tourism expert on trend's potential impact
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nebraska Travel Conference welcomes Kevin Wright
Expert on faith tourism will speak on the trend’s potential impact
LINCOLN, NEB. (Sept. 25, 2008)—One in four Americans rank church and religious travel as important to them, according to the World Religious Travel Association. Kevin Wright, president of the WRTA, will let the Nebraska tourism industry know how they can get their piece of this growing market at this year’s Nebraska Travel Conference in Kearney.
In his presentation, “Nebraska and the New Era of Faith Tourism,” he’ll educate attendees on the faith tourism market, which includes pilgrimages, leisure vacations, short getaways, retreats, adventure travel, conferences, volunteer vacations, river cruising and attraction visits, just to name a few. Wright believes Nebraska is ripe to tap into this $18 billion industry and will teach attendees how to capitalize on it in his fast paced workshop.
The Nebraska Travel Conference will take place at the Kearney Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 301 S. 2nd Ave., October 21-23.
The conference includes educational workshops, general sessions and networking opportunities, as well as travel industry exhibitor booths displaying essential new products. Attendees can also participate in the Nebraska Travel Association’s Silent Auction, a fundraiser that will benefit tourism activities throughout Nebraska.
For more information on sponsorships, the conference or Nebraska Travel and Tourism, or to register online, visit www.VisitNebraska.org.
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Paula Bohaty at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3744, or email: pbohaty@visitnebraska.org
Sarah Baker at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3797, or email:sbaker@visitnebraska.org
###
Nebraska Travel Conference welcomes Kevin Wright
Expert on faith tourism will speak on the trend’s potential impact
LINCOLN, NEB. (Sept. 25, 2008)—One in four Americans rank church and religious travel as important to them, according to the World Religious Travel Association. Kevin Wright, president of the WRTA, will let the Nebraska tourism industry know how they can get their piece of this growing market at this year’s Nebraska Travel Conference in Kearney.
In his presentation, “Nebraska and the New Era of Faith Tourism,” he’ll educate attendees on the faith tourism market, which includes pilgrimages, leisure vacations, short getaways, retreats, adventure travel, conferences, volunteer vacations, river cruising and attraction visits, just to name a few. Wright believes Nebraska is ripe to tap into this $18 billion industry and will teach attendees how to capitalize on it in his fast paced workshop.
The Nebraska Travel Conference will take place at the Kearney Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 301 S. 2nd Ave., October 21-23.
The conference includes educational workshops, general sessions and networking opportunities, as well as travel industry exhibitor booths displaying essential new products. Attendees can also participate in the Nebraska Travel Association’s Silent Auction, a fundraiser that will benefit tourism activities throughout Nebraska.
For more information on sponsorships, the conference or Nebraska Travel and Tourism, or to register online, visit www.VisitNebraska.org.
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Paula Bohaty at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3744, or email: pbohaty@visitnebraska.org
Sarah Baker at 800-228-4307, 402-471-3797, or email:sbaker@visitnebraska.org
###
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
More than 50 Travel Industry Leaders on World Religious Travel Expo Line-Up
WRTA announces speakers and seminars for faith tourism’s first major international gathering
LITTLETON, Colorado (Sept 17, 2008) – More than 50 top travel executives and tourism officials from around the globe will address participants at the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, in Orlando.
“We are honored to present such a wide-ranging group of authorities at this fall’s Expo, which we believe will be a pivotal event in this ‘new era’ of faith tourism,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. “The Expo delegates will acquire key marketing intelligence and cutting edge sales strategies, as well as innovative product development ideas in the areas of pilgrimage, cruising, missions, leisure travel, adventure trips, faith-based safaris, volunteer vacations, and much more.”
Keynote speakers include:
• Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines
• Steve Born, Vice President, Globus Family of Brands
• His Excellency Senator Akel E. Biltaji, Ambassador-at-Large and Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Upper House of Parliament, Jordan
• The Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
The Educational Seminars and panelists at this first major international gathering of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry include:
Boardroom Insider: Current and future trends for faith tourism
Adam Leavitt, Vice President, Trafalgar Tours
Cherie Weinstein, Carnival Cruise Lines, Vice President – Groups Sales and Administration
Linville Johnson, Director of Religious Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
Mike Cappodanno, Director, Switzerland Tourism
Tasoula Manaridis, Director North America, Cyprus Tourism
Honnie Korngold, President, Christian Travel Finder
Pilgrimages: What does today's faith traveler want?
Nick Mancino, Vice President, Group IST (Journeys Unlimited and Regina Tours)
Bob Faucett, Vice President, Unitours
Milanka M. Lachman, President, 206 Tours
Fuad Kattan, President, ACA Travel & Tourism (Bethlehem)
George Keenan, President, Rainbow Tour Turkey
Faith Cruising: Discover the number one vacation trend in today's religious market
Cherie Weinstein, Vice President – Groups Sales and Administration, Carnival Cruise Lines
Andy Christo, Vice President, Monarch Classic Cruises
Stacy Shaw, Director - Charter Sales, Royal Caribbean
Paul Holevas, President, Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises
How to build your faith travel program through mission trips & volunteer vacations
Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
Timothy Childs, Vice President, Raptim Travel
Bo McComas, President, World Mission Tours
Fran Lessans, President & CEO, Passport Health
How to promote the holy Land as a travel provider & group planner
Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
Arie Sommer, Commissioner North & South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism
Tasoula Manaridis, Director, Cyprus Tourism
ElSayed M. Khalifa, Consul-Director USA and Latin America, Egyptian Tourist Authority
George Tambakis, Director USA and Canada, Greek National Tourism Organization
Why we're expanding our religious market focus...and why you should too
Jim Kelly, Vice President, CIE Tours
John Klados, Vice President, Homeric Tours
Steven Ferry, National Group Sales Manager, Trafalgar Tours
Bryan Earley, National Group Sales Manager, Globus
Promoting new travel experiences for churches & religious groups
Jacob Kimbro, Manager New Business Development, Disney on Broadway
Judy Mizrachi, President, Women Walkers Travel
Dorothy Nasozi, Manager Director, Nissi Holidays (Uganda)
David Kizito, Managing Director, Cordial Tours and Travel (Tanzania)
Industry perspectives: How we are meeting the demands, growth & impact of faith tourism
Bob Hoelscher, President, National Tour Association (NTA)
Patti Free, Vice President, CCRA International
Marketing effectively and profitably to the faith tourism marketplace
James E. Wright, Vice President Marketing, World Religious Travel Association
Torre Ossmo, Vice President, Faithful Holidays (Mayflower Tours)
Metin Kazan, President, 7TUR
Ron Hermanson, Franchise Owner, SeaMaster Cruises
Colleen Roberts, National Account Manager, American Church Lists
PR & Advertising: Effectively engage the media to reach faith-based audiences
Christine Moore, President, Epiphany Media
Jeff Gayduk, President, Premier Tourism Marketing
Brian Jewell, Editor, Going on Faith
Raj Dayal, Managing Editor, Church Executive/Christian Travel & Cruise Guide
Product Development: How to develop a winning faith-based travel portfolio
Kevin J. Wright: World Religious Travel Association, President
Cindy Brodhecker: Faith Travel Development & Consulting, President
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for networking with more than 500 travel wholesalers, suppliers, destinations, agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, develop new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.
The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. The complete schedule is available at www.religioustravelexpo.com/Schedule.html.
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About the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA)
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is the leading network for shaping, enriching, and expanding the $18 billion global faith tourism industry. WRTA exists to bring the travel trade and religious consumer together for the primary purpose of promoting and providing quality faith travel experiences around the globe. As the source and voice for the religious travel industry, WRTA provides its members opportunities to network, learn, contribute, and lead. WRTA embraces all segments of faith tourism: Pilgrimages, Leisure, Cruises, Events/Conventions, Missions, Retreats, Attractions, Family, Student/Youth, Adventure and Volunteer Vacations. To learn more about WRTA or to become a member, visit www.ReligiousTravelAssociation.com or contact WRTA at 1-800-657-1288 or 360-778-3047. To attend or exhibit at the World Religious Travel Expo, register online at www.ReligiousTravelExpo.com
LITTLETON, Colorado (Sept 17, 2008) – More than 50 top travel executives and tourism officials from around the globe will address participants at the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, in Orlando.
“We are honored to present such a wide-ranging group of authorities at this fall’s Expo, which we believe will be a pivotal event in this ‘new era’ of faith tourism,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. “The Expo delegates will acquire key marketing intelligence and cutting edge sales strategies, as well as innovative product development ideas in the areas of pilgrimage, cruising, missions, leisure travel, adventure trips, faith-based safaris, volunteer vacations, and much more.”
Keynote speakers include:
• Maurice Zarmati, President, Costa Cruise Lines
• Steve Born, Vice President, Globus Family of Brands
• His Excellency Senator Akel E. Biltaji, Ambassador-at-Large and Chairman of the Tourism Committee, Upper House of Parliament, Jordan
• The Honorable Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
The Educational Seminars and panelists at this first major international gathering of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry include:
Boardroom Insider: Current and future trends for faith tourism
Adam Leavitt, Vice President, Trafalgar Tours
Cherie Weinstein, Carnival Cruise Lines, Vice President – Groups Sales and Administration
Linville Johnson, Director of Religious Market, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
Mike Cappodanno, Director, Switzerland Tourism
Tasoula Manaridis, Director North America, Cyprus Tourism
Honnie Korngold, President, Christian Travel Finder
Pilgrimages: What does today's faith traveler want?
Nick Mancino, Vice President, Group IST (Journeys Unlimited and Regina Tours)
Bob Faucett, Vice President, Unitours
Milanka M. Lachman, President, 206 Tours
Fuad Kattan, President, ACA Travel & Tourism (Bethlehem)
George Keenan, President, Rainbow Tour Turkey
Faith Cruising: Discover the number one vacation trend in today's religious market
Cherie Weinstein, Vice President – Groups Sales and Administration, Carnival Cruise Lines
Andy Christo, Vice President, Monarch Classic Cruises
Stacy Shaw, Director - Charter Sales, Royal Caribbean
Paul Holevas, President, Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises
How to build your faith travel program through mission trips & volunteer vacations
Jim Buddendorf, President, MTS Travel
Timothy Childs, Vice President, Raptim Travel
Bo McComas, President, World Mission Tours
Fran Lessans, President & CEO, Passport Health
How to promote the holy Land as a travel provider & group planner
Malia Asfour, Director, Jordan Tourism Board of North America
Arie Sommer, Commissioner North & South America, Israel Ministry of Tourism
Tasoula Manaridis, Director, Cyprus Tourism
ElSayed M. Khalifa, Consul-Director USA and Latin America, Egyptian Tourist Authority
George Tambakis, Director USA and Canada, Greek National Tourism Organization
Why we're expanding our religious market focus...and why you should too
Jim Kelly, Vice President, CIE Tours
John Klados, Vice President, Homeric Tours
Steven Ferry, National Group Sales Manager, Trafalgar Tours
Bryan Earley, National Group Sales Manager, Globus
Promoting new travel experiences for churches & religious groups
Jacob Kimbro, Manager New Business Development, Disney on Broadway
Judy Mizrachi, President, Women Walkers Travel
Dorothy Nasozi, Manager Director, Nissi Holidays (Uganda)
David Kizito, Managing Director, Cordial Tours and Travel (Tanzania)
Industry perspectives: How we are meeting the demands, growth & impact of faith tourism
Bob Hoelscher, President, National Tour Association (NTA)
Patti Free, Vice President, CCRA International
Marketing effectively and profitably to the faith tourism marketplace
James E. Wright, Vice President Marketing, World Religious Travel Association
Torre Ossmo, Vice President, Faithful Holidays (Mayflower Tours)
Metin Kazan, President, 7TUR
Ron Hermanson, Franchise Owner, SeaMaster Cruises
Colleen Roberts, National Account Manager, American Church Lists
PR & Advertising: Effectively engage the media to reach faith-based audiences
Christine Moore, President, Epiphany Media
Jeff Gayduk, President, Premier Tourism Marketing
Brian Jewell, Editor, Going on Faith
Raj Dayal, Managing Editor, Church Executive/Christian Travel & Cruise Guide
Product Development: How to develop a winning faith-based travel portfolio
Kevin J. Wright: World Religious Travel Association, President
Cindy Brodhecker: Faith Travel Development & Consulting, President
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for networking with more than 500 travel wholesalers, suppliers, destinations, agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, develop new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.
The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. The complete schedule is available at www.religioustravelexpo.com/Schedule.html.
###
About the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA)
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is the leading network for shaping, enriching, and expanding the $18 billion global faith tourism industry. WRTA exists to bring the travel trade and religious consumer together for the primary purpose of promoting and providing quality faith travel experiences around the globe. As the source and voice for the religious travel industry, WRTA provides its members opportunities to network, learn, contribute, and lead. WRTA embraces all segments of faith tourism: Pilgrimages, Leisure, Cruises, Events/Conventions, Missions, Retreats, Attractions, Family, Student/Youth, Adventure and Volunteer Vacations. To learn more about WRTA or to become a member, visit www.ReligiousTravelAssociation.com or contact WRTA at 1-800-657-1288 or 360-778-3047. To attend or exhibit at the World Religious Travel Expo, register online at www.ReligiousTravelExpo.com
Saturday, September 13, 2008
WRTA supports NTA's Call for Executive Office of Travel and Tourism
Call for Executive Office of Travel and Tourism Policy Gains Strong Momentum
NTA Gains Support of Three More Associations
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three more travel and tourism associations have joined with the National Tour Association in its call for the creation of an executive office of travel and tourism policy. Uniting with NTA and the United States Tour Operators Association, the American Bus Association, the United Motorcoach Association and the World Religious Travel Association all have signed on their support.
“The momentum is growing as NTA and its allies call attention to the importance of an executive office of travel and tourism policy,” said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP. “This office will provide the United States with more coherent, dynamic, and world-leading travel and tourism policies generating excellent growth in this sector of the national economy.”
Victor Para, president and CEO of UMA noted that, “The entire industry needs to get behind this effort. Regardless of who the next U.S. president is, the tourism economy is vitally important to the interest of the entire country. The tourism economy deserves executive level attention and it is only appropriate to have someone in the White House designated accordingly.”
Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association said his organization also is proud to support NTA’s call for an executive office of tourism. “The tremendous economic and goodwill benefits that tourism brings to the United States are vital to our country’s interests. With the presidential campaigns in full swing, now is the time to make our unified voice heard by the candidates — and America at large.”
The American Bus Association also gives its support to the mission, and ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso said the organization is proud to be an active member of the coalition advocating the creation of an executive office of travel and Tourism policy. “On issues ranging from economic development to green tourism to security policy, motorcoaches are a critical component of America's mobility, and we will work vigorously with our coalition partners to help establish this new entity."
The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA's diverse membership and progressive nature make it an industry leader as the place to do business. NTA consistently seeks innovations for the services and business tools it provides to members, and the leadership keeps its fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing world. In turn, NTA members are some of the most creative in the dynamic travel industry. NTA membership represents 34 countries, and tour and travel
NTA Gains Support of Three More Associations
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three more travel and tourism associations have joined with the National Tour Association in its call for the creation of an executive office of travel and tourism policy. Uniting with NTA and the United States Tour Operators Association, the American Bus Association, the United Motorcoach Association and the World Religious Travel Association all have signed on their support.
“The momentum is growing as NTA and its allies call attention to the importance of an executive office of travel and tourism policy,” said NTA Chairman and CEO Bob Hoelscher, CTP. “This office will provide the United States with more coherent, dynamic, and world-leading travel and tourism policies generating excellent growth in this sector of the national economy.”
Victor Para, president and CEO of UMA noted that, “The entire industry needs to get behind this effort. Regardless of who the next U.S. president is, the tourism economy is vitally important to the interest of the entire country. The tourism economy deserves executive level attention and it is only appropriate to have someone in the White House designated accordingly.”
Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association said his organization also is proud to support NTA’s call for an executive office of tourism. “The tremendous economic and goodwill benefits that tourism brings to the United States are vital to our country’s interests. With the presidential campaigns in full swing, now is the time to make our unified voice heard by the candidates — and America at large.”
The American Bus Association also gives its support to the mission, and ABA President and CEO Peter J. Pantuso said the organization is proud to be an active member of the coalition advocating the creation of an executive office of travel and Tourism policy. “On issues ranging from economic development to green tourism to security policy, motorcoaches are a critical component of America's mobility, and we will work vigorously with our coalition partners to help establish this new entity."
The National Tour Association is the preferred association in the tourism industry for packaged travel professionals. NTA's diverse membership and progressive nature make it an industry leader as the place to do business. NTA consistently seeks innovations for the services and business tools it provides to members, and the leadership keeps its fingers on the pulse of the ever-changing world. In turn, NTA members are some of the most creative in the dynamic travel industry. NTA membership represents 34 countries, and tour and travel
Historic World Religious Travel Expo Debuts Next Month
HISTORIC WORLD RELIGIOUS TRAVEL EXPO TO
WELCOME PARTICIPANTS FROM 30 COUNTRIES ON SIX CONTINENTS
Travel providers, tourist boards, and planners from 30-plus countries will gather next month in Orlando, Florida to participate in the first-ever global faith tourism tradeshow and convention. The World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2008 is expected to welcome 500 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and 50 tourism industry leader speakers.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of Who’s Who in the bustling $18 billion faith tourism industry. Travel agents and group planners will have an opportunity to network first-hand with the leading companies in religious travel, while also earning CEU’s by attending the many Expo educational seminars.
Exclusive to this event only, each Expo delegate will receive a Booklet of Special Offers worth thousands of dollars in FAM trips, bonus commissions, gifts, and prizes – all of which are provided by the exhibitors. The cost for a travel agent or group planner to attend is as low as $49. The World Religious Travel Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference.
The event will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando (Florida), with a complimentary optional faith-based attractions excursion on Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information about the Expo or to register online, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com. Or call 1-800-657-1288 (ext. 101).
WELCOME PARTICIPANTS FROM 30 COUNTRIES ON SIX CONTINENTS
Travel providers, tourist boards, and planners from 30-plus countries will gather next month in Orlando, Florida to participate in the first-ever global faith tourism tradeshow and convention. The World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2008 is expected to welcome 500 delegates, 100 exhibitors, and 50 tourism industry leader speakers.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of Who’s Who in the bustling $18 billion faith tourism industry. Travel agents and group planners will have an opportunity to network first-hand with the leading companies in religious travel, while also earning CEU’s by attending the many Expo educational seminars.
Exclusive to this event only, each Expo delegate will receive a Booklet of Special Offers worth thousands of dollars in FAM trips, bonus commissions, gifts, and prizes – all of which are provided by the exhibitors. The cost for a travel agent or group planner to attend is as low as $49. The World Religious Travel Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference.
The event will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando (Florida), with a complimentary optional faith-based attractions excursion on Saturday, Nov. 1. For more information about the Expo or to register online, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com. Or call 1-800-657-1288 (ext. 101).
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Lourdes Pilgrimage: A Child's Vision, A Shrine to History
Lourdes pilgrimage: A child's visions, a shrine to history
By Susan Spano
Los Angeles Times
Website article: http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_10428719
SIDE COLUMN:
About 25 percent of American travelers are interested in taking a spiritually oriented vacation, a study last year by the U.S. Travel Industry Association showed. Increasingly, tour companies have begun offering religious cruises, package tours, pilgrimages and missionary travel.
The World Religious Travel Association, www.religioustravelassociation.com, a trade organization for the $18 billion-a-year faith travel industry, has an online directory to help religious travelers find the right tour company.
ARTICLE:
LOURDES, France - When Pope Benedict XVI visits this small town in the foothills of the French Pyrenees from Sept. 13 to 15, he will follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims who have come before him.
Like them, he will take Communion, drink from the holy spring and touch the stone at the base of a cliff by the Gave River, where heaven opened to a 14-year-old girl, known as Bernadette, who said she first saw the Virgin Mary there on Feb. 11, 1858. The pope will celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Bernadette's apparitions, with a pilgrim's heart full of yearning for transformation.
Six million people visit Lourdes every year, including 100,000 volunteers and 80,000 ill and disabled pilgrims A group walks along the Stations of the Cross behind the grotto. (Susan Spano/Los Angeles Times)seeking cures for their afflictions or the strength to endure them. Since 1858, about 6,800 people have reported being cured at St. Bernadette's grotto, though the Roman Catholic Church has proclaimed only 67 of these to be miracles and hasn't recorded the number of spiritual healings said to have occurred at Lourdes.
Read the rest of the article at http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_10428719
By Susan Spano
Los Angeles Times
Website article: http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_10428719
SIDE COLUMN:
About 25 percent of American travelers are interested in taking a spiritually oriented vacation, a study last year by the U.S. Travel Industry Association showed. Increasingly, tour companies have begun offering religious cruises, package tours, pilgrimages and missionary travel.
The World Religious Travel Association, www.religioustravelassociation.com, a trade organization for the $18 billion-a-year faith travel industry, has an online directory to help religious travelers find the right tour company.
ARTICLE:
LOURDES, France - When Pope Benedict XVI visits this small town in the foothills of the French Pyrenees from Sept. 13 to 15, he will follow in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims who have come before him.
Like them, he will take Communion, drink from the holy spring and touch the stone at the base of a cliff by the Gave River, where heaven opened to a 14-year-old girl, known as Bernadette, who said she first saw the Virgin Mary there on Feb. 11, 1858. The pope will celebrate the 150th anniversary of St. Bernadette's apparitions, with a pilgrim's heart full of yearning for transformation.
Six million people visit Lourdes every year, including 100,000 volunteers and 80,000 ill and disabled pilgrims A group walks along the Stations of the Cross behind the grotto. (Susan Spano/Los Angeles Times)seeking cures for their afflictions or the strength to endure them. Since 1858, about 6,800 people have reported being cured at St. Bernadette's grotto, though the Roman Catholic Church has proclaimed only 67 of these to be miracles and hasn't recorded the number of spiritual healings said to have occurred at Lourdes.
Read the rest of the article at http://www.sltrib.com/faith/ci_10428719
Monday, September 1, 2008
Bethany Beyond the Jordan becoming global pilgrimage destination
Bethany Beyond the Jordan becoming global pilgrimage destination
Article link: http://admin.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=10174
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN - Officials at the Baptism Site said on Tuesday major headway is being made on several projects set to transform the area into a global pilgrimage destination.
“The infrastructure work for the Russian Pilgrimage House, the Roman Catholic Church on the east bank of the Jordan River as well as the Greek Orthodox monastery have been completed and others are on track as planned,” Baptism Site Commission (BSC) Director Dia Madani told The Jordan Times yesterday.
“We are looking forward to seeing these projects completed as the site is already attracting larger numbers of visitors and pilgrims from around the world,” he added.
At least five churches representing various Christian denominations are set to be established on the revered grounds of Bethany Beyond the Jordan this year, including the Coptic, Armenian, Syrian and Ethiopian churches.
Madani said the site is already growing steadily in prominence among tourists and pilgrims, citing the Kingdom’s marketing efforts and the growing acknowledgement amongst the Christian community of the site as the place where Jesus was baptised.
Madani said tourist arrivals to the site increased by 99 per cent during the first seven months of this year, attracting 108,000 visitors compared to some 54,00 during the same period of last year.
European visitors topped the list of arrivals with 65,000 visitors, a 123 per cent increase, followed by 20,713 Jordanians and 15,000 Americans representing increases of 30 per cent and 106 per cent respectively.
The site also attracted 6,365 Arab tourists through July, a 45 per cent increase from 2007.
Most tourists or pilgrims on package tours to the region spend an average of two days in the Kingdom visiting religious sites such as Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site before heading to the holy land, according to travel agents.
The site of Jesus's baptism, which was officially recognised by Pope John Paul II in 2000, has since attracted thousands of archaeologists, pilgrims and visitors each year.
The ancient settlement is also thought to have a significant link to the Old Testament Prophet Elijah, who delivered the message of repentance, taken up by John the Baptist centuries later. The BSC undertook a series of developments to the site's infrastructure in 2002 to handle the rising number of visitors.
Madani said the development of new churches is set to further enhance the site's appeal for pilgrims.
“Once the churches are built and monks and priests settle in, the entire concept of the site will be transformed from a historically important site to a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage,” Madani said, adding that the site will be open 20 hours a day and offer facilities for pilgrims who choose to spend the night.
The Roman Catholic Church, to be erected in a pyramid shape using old stones used in biblical times, will be located in a 5,000-square-metre complex including a monastery and an indoor baptismal pool.
The Russian Pilgrimage House, being built on 30 dunums of land donated by His Majesty King Abdullah, will be managed by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Plans are also set for the establishment of a convention centre, according to Madani, who said the final designs for the BSC-funded centre are ready and a tender for its construction will be issued next month through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
According to Madani, a large belvedere with a panoramic view of the Jordan River is also being developed at the site. The structure, which includes wooden shelters and palm trees, will have a capacity for 750 people. He expressed hoped that the belvedere will be ready for next year’s celebrations marking the Epiphany.
With these developments under way, the official said he was confident the site would be able to attract up to half-a-million visitors annually within the next three years.
20 August 2008
Article link: http://admin.jordantimes.com/index.php?news=10174
By Dalya Dajani
AMMAN - Officials at the Baptism Site said on Tuesday major headway is being made on several projects set to transform the area into a global pilgrimage destination.
“The infrastructure work for the Russian Pilgrimage House, the Roman Catholic Church on the east bank of the Jordan River as well as the Greek Orthodox monastery have been completed and others are on track as planned,” Baptism Site Commission (BSC) Director Dia Madani told The Jordan Times yesterday.
“We are looking forward to seeing these projects completed as the site is already attracting larger numbers of visitors and pilgrims from around the world,” he added.
At least five churches representing various Christian denominations are set to be established on the revered grounds of Bethany Beyond the Jordan this year, including the Coptic, Armenian, Syrian and Ethiopian churches.
Madani said the site is already growing steadily in prominence among tourists and pilgrims, citing the Kingdom’s marketing efforts and the growing acknowledgement amongst the Christian community of the site as the place where Jesus was baptised.
Madani said tourist arrivals to the site increased by 99 per cent during the first seven months of this year, attracting 108,000 visitors compared to some 54,00 during the same period of last year.
European visitors topped the list of arrivals with 65,000 visitors, a 123 per cent increase, followed by 20,713 Jordanians and 15,000 Americans representing increases of 30 per cent and 106 per cent respectively.
The site also attracted 6,365 Arab tourists through July, a 45 per cent increase from 2007.
Most tourists or pilgrims on package tours to the region spend an average of two days in the Kingdom visiting religious sites such as Mount Nebo and the Baptism Site before heading to the holy land, according to travel agents.
The site of Jesus's baptism, which was officially recognised by Pope John Paul II in 2000, has since attracted thousands of archaeologists, pilgrims and visitors each year.
The ancient settlement is also thought to have a significant link to the Old Testament Prophet Elijah, who delivered the message of repentance, taken up by John the Baptist centuries later. The BSC undertook a series of developments to the site's infrastructure in 2002 to handle the rising number of visitors.
Madani said the development of new churches is set to further enhance the site's appeal for pilgrims.
“Once the churches are built and monks and priests settle in, the entire concept of the site will be transformed from a historically important site to a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage,” Madani said, adding that the site will be open 20 hours a day and offer facilities for pilgrims who choose to spend the night.
The Roman Catholic Church, to be erected in a pyramid shape using old stones used in biblical times, will be located in a 5,000-square-metre complex including a monastery and an indoor baptismal pool.
The Russian Pilgrimage House, being built on 30 dunums of land donated by His Majesty King Abdullah, will be managed by the Russian Orthodox Church.
Plans are also set for the establishment of a convention centre, according to Madani, who said the final designs for the BSC-funded centre are ready and a tender for its construction will be issued next month through the Ministry of Public Works and Housing.
According to Madani, a large belvedere with a panoramic view of the Jordan River is also being developed at the site. The structure, which includes wooden shelters and palm trees, will have a capacity for 750 people. He expressed hoped that the belvedere will be ready for next year’s celebrations marking the Epiphany.
With these developments under way, the official said he was confident the site would be able to attract up to half-a-million visitors annually within the next three years.
20 August 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Lifetree Adventures Announces New Christian Travel Option
Lifetree Adventures Announces New Christian Travel Option
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
http://www.live-pr.com/en/lifetree-adventures-announces-new-christian-r1048205429.htm
Lifetree Adventures, a Christian travel operator based in Loveland, Colorado, recently launched tours to meet the growing demand for Christian travel, and is the first of its kind to offer Voluntourism specifically from a Christian approach.
Loveland, CO, August 27, 2008 (PRAvenueNW) -- Voluntourism, the growing trend of travelers seeking vacation options combining tourism with volunteer service, just got a spiritual shot in the arm. Lifetree Adventures, a Christian travel operator based in Loveland, Colorado, recently launched tours to meet the growing demand for Christian travel, and is the first of its kind to offer Voluntourism specifically from a Christian approach.
“Every Lifetree Adventure has two key components: adventure activities and Christian service projects—packaged into one amazing trip,” remarked Joel Fay, Lifetree President, “so you might find yourself exhilarated by thrilling zip-lines in the jungles of Costa Rica, and then take that passion and apply it to fixing dilapidated housing for young children and their families.”
Each of Lifetree’s adventures include three and four star hotel accommodations, touring national landmarks, free time, service days, many meals and meeting new friends—likeminded travelers, and indigenous people who need help. Christian travelers can help build a church, lead a Bible study, play games with disadvantaged children even help feed whole neighborhoods all while enjoying the vacation of a lifetime.
With tours operating in the fall of 2008, Christian travel participants can discover the excitement of exotic destinations while serving the needs of indigenous people through eight trips to four Latin American countries: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. For 2009, Lifetree has added Vanuatu, Alaska, Mazatlan, Kenya, Tanzania, Australia, Israel and Egypt as destinations. To view Lifetree’s 2009 Christian travel adventures please visit: http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/future.aspx
For more information, or to reserve a trip, travel agents and travelers can go to http://www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 800-747-2157 Monday through Friday MST.
Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Lifetree Adventures
P.O. Box 275
Loveland, CO 80539
8007472157
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://www.lifetreeadventures.com
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
http://www.live-pr.com/en/lifetree-adventures-announces-new-christian-r1048205429.htm
Lifetree Adventures, a Christian travel operator based in Loveland, Colorado, recently launched tours to meet the growing demand for Christian travel, and is the first of its kind to offer Voluntourism specifically from a Christian approach.
Loveland, CO, August 27, 2008 (PRAvenueNW) -- Voluntourism, the growing trend of travelers seeking vacation options combining tourism with volunteer service, just got a spiritual shot in the arm. Lifetree Adventures, a Christian travel operator based in Loveland, Colorado, recently launched tours to meet the growing demand for Christian travel, and is the first of its kind to offer Voluntourism specifically from a Christian approach.
“Every Lifetree Adventure has two key components: adventure activities and Christian service projects—packaged into one amazing trip,” remarked Joel Fay, Lifetree President, “so you might find yourself exhilarated by thrilling zip-lines in the jungles of Costa Rica, and then take that passion and apply it to fixing dilapidated housing for young children and their families.”
Each of Lifetree’s adventures include three and four star hotel accommodations, touring national landmarks, free time, service days, many meals and meeting new friends—likeminded travelers, and indigenous people who need help. Christian travelers can help build a church, lead a Bible study, play games with disadvantaged children even help feed whole neighborhoods all while enjoying the vacation of a lifetime.
With tours operating in the fall of 2008, Christian travel participants can discover the excitement of exotic destinations while serving the needs of indigenous people through eight trips to four Latin American countries: Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala and Peru. For 2009, Lifetree has added Vanuatu, Alaska, Mazatlan, Kenya, Tanzania, Australia, Israel and Egypt as destinations. To view Lifetree’s 2009 Christian travel adventures please visit: http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/future.aspx
For more information, or to reserve a trip, travel agents and travelers can go to http://www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 800-747-2157 Monday through Friday MST.
Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Lifetree Adventures
P.O. Box 275
Loveland, CO 80539
8007472157
alexia@lassocommunications.com
http://www.lifetreeadventures.com
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
World Religious Travel Expo draws 28 countries form 6 continents
World Religious Travel Expo drawing participants from 28 countries, 6 continents to Orlando
Website article link: http://www.churchexecutive.com/news.asp?N_ID=1443
LITTLETON, CO – Travel providers and planners from 28 countries on six continents will gather in Orlando, Florida, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, for the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference. With registration still underway, organizers are already preparing extra exhibit space to accommodate companies that continue to join the first large-scale forum of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, car rental companies and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of Who’s Who in the growing faith tourism industry.
“Faith tourism has evolved to the point where a gathering of this magnitude is necessary for the industry to respond to the needs of today’s faith-based consumers,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “Our global partners recognize that – just as in music, books and film – contemporary religious consumers represent tremendous market potential for travel organizations willing to provide meaningful products and services that meet their specific needs.”
The exhibitors and products show the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside obvious religious travel suppliers such as the Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises and the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Israel, are those with a less overt connection, such as:
EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
Armenian Tourism Development Agency
Korea Tourism Organization
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for travel suppliers, destinations and wholesalers to come face-to-face with more than 400 agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, introduce new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.
The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. For more information, including a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.
Website article link: http://www.churchexecutive.com/news.asp?N_ID=1443
LITTLETON, CO – Travel providers and planners from 28 countries on six continents will gather in Orlando, Florida, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, for the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference. With registration still underway, organizers are already preparing extra exhibit space to accommodate companies that continue to join the first large-scale forum of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry.
Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, car rental companies and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of Who’s Who in the growing faith tourism industry.
“Faith tourism has evolved to the point where a gathering of this magnitude is necessary for the industry to respond to the needs of today’s faith-based consumers,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “Our global partners recognize that – just as in music, books and film – contemporary religious consumers represent tremendous market potential for travel organizations willing to provide meaningful products and services that meet their specific needs.”
The exhibitors and products show the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside obvious religious travel suppliers such as the Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises and the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Israel, are those with a less overt connection, such as:
EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
Armenian Tourism Development Agency
Korea Tourism Organization
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for travel suppliers, destinations and wholesalers to come face-to-face with more than 400 agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, introduce new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.
The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. For more information, including a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.
Monday, August 18, 2008
More and more people taking faith-based vacations
Article link: http://www.star-telegram.com/religion/story/819894.html
Newspaper: Forth Worth Star-Telegram
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH
tgoodrich@star-telegram.com
For Bernard and Carol Kern, the highlight of their May trip to Turkey came in the Garden of Religions in the seaport city Antalya.
The retirees from North Richland Hills said that as they stood in the shadow of a mosque, a synagogue and a chapel, they thought of the words of the biblical prophet Malachi: "Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us?" (American King James Version)
To view the full article, please visit: http://www.star-telegram.com/religion/story/819894.html
Interested in religious tourism?
Faith-based travel is rising dramatically, said Kevin Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a Colorado-based global network.
Here are some of his observations about religious tourism during a question-and-answer session with the Star-Telegram:
I have heard travel called the "fourth pillar" of the faith-based consumer marketplace. What does that mean?
Faith-based music and publishing industries grew enormously in the past two decades, the film industry in the last decade. Now we’re seeing an increase in people incorporating their faith into travel.
Talk about the history of faith-based travel.
Well, religious tourism is possibly the oldest form of tourism, with roots lying in the Egyptian empire, when they would host religious festivals. They had to have food, drinks, camel rides.
Pilgrimages to Jerusalem or Mecca, as well as mission trips, have been the bread and butter. But now what we’re seeing is more what we call "fellowship travel" on other trips and vacations.
How is fellowship travel different from simply taking a trip with someone who shares your faith?
An example is faith-based cruising. Some will have a speaker or speakers from their faith community or maybe some authors. Sometimes, Christians sell out a whole cruise with Christian artists on board. That’s especially appealing for the younger generation, because these [musicians] are their celebrities.
There also are Caribbean and Mediterranean trips, with the Mediterranean having a little more in the way of religious sites like Ephesus or Greece or New Testament sites.
But there are even trips to Alaska and faith-based African safaris. You ask, "What the heck makes that faith-based?" Just traveling together with prayers before meals and devotions make that faith-based, and now a number of tour operators are faith-based.
________________________________________
A growth industry
Overseas religious travel by Americans over the past five years has increased 54 percent, nearly twice the 28 percent increase in general overseas travel, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
12 percent of travelers said they are more interested in taking a spiritual vacation than they were five years ago.
The appeal of a spiritual vacation spans age groups, with about one-third of each (18-34 years old, 35-54 and 55-plus) expressing interest.
— Terry Lee Goodrich
Newspaper: Forth Worth Star-Telegram
By TERRY LEE GOODRICH
tgoodrich@star-telegram.com
For Bernard and Carol Kern, the highlight of their May trip to Turkey came in the Garden of Religions in the seaport city Antalya.
The retirees from North Richland Hills said that as they stood in the shadow of a mosque, a synagogue and a chapel, they thought of the words of the biblical prophet Malachi: "Have we not all one father? Has not one God created us?" (American King James Version)
To view the full article, please visit: http://www.star-telegram.com/religion/story/819894.html
Interested in religious tourism?
Faith-based travel is rising dramatically, said Kevin Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a Colorado-based global network.
Here are some of his observations about religious tourism during a question-and-answer session with the Star-Telegram:
I have heard travel called the "fourth pillar" of the faith-based consumer marketplace. What does that mean?
Faith-based music and publishing industries grew enormously in the past two decades, the film industry in the last decade. Now we’re seeing an increase in people incorporating their faith into travel.
Talk about the history of faith-based travel.
Well, religious tourism is possibly the oldest form of tourism, with roots lying in the Egyptian empire, when they would host religious festivals. They had to have food, drinks, camel rides.
Pilgrimages to Jerusalem or Mecca, as well as mission trips, have been the bread and butter. But now what we’re seeing is more what we call "fellowship travel" on other trips and vacations.
How is fellowship travel different from simply taking a trip with someone who shares your faith?
An example is faith-based cruising. Some will have a speaker or speakers from their faith community or maybe some authors. Sometimes, Christians sell out a whole cruise with Christian artists on board. That’s especially appealing for the younger generation, because these [musicians] are their celebrities.
There also are Caribbean and Mediterranean trips, with the Mediterranean having a little more in the way of religious sites like Ephesus or Greece or New Testament sites.
But there are even trips to Alaska and faith-based African safaris. You ask, "What the heck makes that faith-based?" Just traveling together with prayers before meals and devotions make that faith-based, and now a number of tour operators are faith-based.
________________________________________
A growth industry
Overseas religious travel by Americans over the past five years has increased 54 percent, nearly twice the 28 percent increase in general overseas travel, according to the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
12 percent of travelers said they are more interested in taking a spiritual vacation than they were five years ago.
The appeal of a spiritual vacation spans age groups, with about one-third of each (18-34 years old, 35-54 and 55-plus) expressing interest.
— Terry Lee Goodrich
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Turkey uses religion to lure tourists
Website article: http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080720/FOREIGN/810801243/1041/ART
Thomas Seibert, Foreign Correspondent
A woman prepares wreaths outside Mary’s House chapel near Selcuk, Turkey. Authorities and tour operators have identified many biblical sites to try to attract additional visitors and revenue. Menahem Kahana / AFP
ISTANBUL // Forget about sun, beaches and all-inclusive hotels. The hottest travel trend in Turkey is religious tourism, as such sites as the house of Mary, mother of Jesus, the church of the original Santa Claus and the ancient hometown of St Paul are attracting a growing number of visitors.
Although Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country today, many important events in Christian history and tradition took place in Anatolia, a heritage that authorities and tour operators have identified as a source for additional visitors and revenue.
“These are different tourists from those you find in [beach hotels in] Antalya,” said Fugen Kolsal, the owner of Oktogon Tourism, a travel agency in Istanbul that specialises in “biblical tours” and other offers for visitors interested in the history of early Christianity. “They are older, more conservative, they are open for the country and its people, they have more money, and they reach places where normal tourists will never go.”
A Religious Tourism Project, conducted by Turkey’s tourism ministry, aims to “increase the number of visitors to important centres” of religious history, most of which are connected to Christianity, the ministry said in a statement on its website.
The project includes the church of the original Santa Claus, St Nicholas, in Demre near Antalya; the so-called “House of Mother Mary” near Izmir, where, according to legend, the mother of Jesus lived after the death of her son; and the Hagia Sophia church in Iznik near Bursa, where bishops laid the theological foundations for today’s Christianity in meetings in the fourth and eighth century AD.
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, or Tursab, is planning a symposium on religious tourism in Antakya, the former Antiochia, this year. Antakya is known as the place where followers of Jesus were called Christians for the first time and where apostles Paul and Peter met.
A recent initiative by the Catholic Church has provided an additional impetus. Pope Benedict XVI officially launched the Vatican’s Year of St Paul on June 28. Paul, one of the most important followers of Jesus, was born in Tarsus – in what is today southern Turkey – 2,000 years ago. The St Paul Church in Tarsus, which has served as a museum, will be opened for religious services throughout the year.
“We are getting bookings for next year, especially because of the year of St Paul,” said Ilhan Ucak, the owner of Sempa Tur, a travel agency in Istanbul that organises religious tours.
In Tarsus itself, the Year of St Paul has started to make itself felt already. “We have more tourists than before,” said Nadir Durgun of the tourism department in the Tarsus municipality. He said a total of 16,322 tourists from more than 40 countries visited the city last year, but many more were expected this year, especially in September and October, when the summer heat is over.
The tourism ministry said in a recent statement that “millions of Christian pilgrims are expected to meet in Tarsus” in the Year of St Paul, but this expectation might be exaggerated, Mr Durgun said. “Perhaps 100,000 would be more realistic,” he said.
A city of 230,000 people that suffers from high unemployment after local textile factories closed, Tarsus is so dependent on the tourist trade that the arrival of bigger tour groups is celebrated as a major event in the city. “Tarsus has been inundated with tourists,” the local newspaper Tarsus reported after the visit of 1,000 US tourists in April.
Tarsus is planning to build more hotels to keep visitors in the city for longer, Mr Durgun said. “Right now, many people come by bus, look at St Paul’s Church and drive off again,” he said. A weak infrastructure in such places as Tarsus is only one reason holding religious tourism back. Recent events, such as the kidnapping of three German mountaineers by Kurdish rebels on the biblical Ararat Mountain in eastern Turkey, scare off potential visitors, said Ms Kolsal of Oktogon Tourism. “I have three tour groups going to eastern Turkey in the autumn, but I’m concerned that they will cancel. Every year there is something new” that keeps visitors away, she said.
The Germans were released yesterday.
Also, Turkey has not yet made the most of its biblical and Christian heritage, Ms Kolsal said. “There is much still to be shown,” she said. But the rise in religious tourism has also led to fears in nationalist circles that the Christian West may try to claim Turkish territory and that Christian missionaries may try to exploit the opening of historic sites to convert Turkish Muslims to Christianity. The aim behind all the infrastructure improvements and restorations of Christian and ancient sites in Turkey was clear, the nationalist magazine Ufuk Otesi commented this month: “To take Anatolia, a former Christian territory, from our hand … Everything that is done under the motto of religious tourism only serves to put this plan into practice.”
tseibert@thenational.ae
Thomas Seibert, Foreign Correspondent
A woman prepares wreaths outside Mary’s House chapel near Selcuk, Turkey. Authorities and tour operators have identified many biblical sites to try to attract additional visitors and revenue. Menahem Kahana / AFP
ISTANBUL // Forget about sun, beaches and all-inclusive hotels. The hottest travel trend in Turkey is religious tourism, as such sites as the house of Mary, mother of Jesus, the church of the original Santa Claus and the ancient hometown of St Paul are attracting a growing number of visitors.
Although Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country today, many important events in Christian history and tradition took place in Anatolia, a heritage that authorities and tour operators have identified as a source for additional visitors and revenue.
“These are different tourists from those you find in [beach hotels in] Antalya,” said Fugen Kolsal, the owner of Oktogon Tourism, a travel agency in Istanbul that specialises in “biblical tours” and other offers for visitors interested in the history of early Christianity. “They are older, more conservative, they are open for the country and its people, they have more money, and they reach places where normal tourists will never go.”
A Religious Tourism Project, conducted by Turkey’s tourism ministry, aims to “increase the number of visitors to important centres” of religious history, most of which are connected to Christianity, the ministry said in a statement on its website.
The project includes the church of the original Santa Claus, St Nicholas, in Demre near Antalya; the so-called “House of Mother Mary” near Izmir, where, according to legend, the mother of Jesus lived after the death of her son; and the Hagia Sophia church in Iznik near Bursa, where bishops laid the theological foundations for today’s Christianity in meetings in the fourth and eighth century AD.
The Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, or Tursab, is planning a symposium on religious tourism in Antakya, the former Antiochia, this year. Antakya is known as the place where followers of Jesus were called Christians for the first time and where apostles Paul and Peter met.
A recent initiative by the Catholic Church has provided an additional impetus. Pope Benedict XVI officially launched the Vatican’s Year of St Paul on June 28. Paul, one of the most important followers of Jesus, was born in Tarsus – in what is today southern Turkey – 2,000 years ago. The St Paul Church in Tarsus, which has served as a museum, will be opened for religious services throughout the year.
“We are getting bookings for next year, especially because of the year of St Paul,” said Ilhan Ucak, the owner of Sempa Tur, a travel agency in Istanbul that organises religious tours.
In Tarsus itself, the Year of St Paul has started to make itself felt already. “We have more tourists than before,” said Nadir Durgun of the tourism department in the Tarsus municipality. He said a total of 16,322 tourists from more than 40 countries visited the city last year, but many more were expected this year, especially in September and October, when the summer heat is over.
The tourism ministry said in a recent statement that “millions of Christian pilgrims are expected to meet in Tarsus” in the Year of St Paul, but this expectation might be exaggerated, Mr Durgun said. “Perhaps 100,000 would be more realistic,” he said.
A city of 230,000 people that suffers from high unemployment after local textile factories closed, Tarsus is so dependent on the tourist trade that the arrival of bigger tour groups is celebrated as a major event in the city. “Tarsus has been inundated with tourists,” the local newspaper Tarsus reported after the visit of 1,000 US tourists in April.
Tarsus is planning to build more hotels to keep visitors in the city for longer, Mr Durgun said. “Right now, many people come by bus, look at St Paul’s Church and drive off again,” he said. A weak infrastructure in such places as Tarsus is only one reason holding religious tourism back. Recent events, such as the kidnapping of three German mountaineers by Kurdish rebels on the biblical Ararat Mountain in eastern Turkey, scare off potential visitors, said Ms Kolsal of Oktogon Tourism. “I have three tour groups going to eastern Turkey in the autumn, but I’m concerned that they will cancel. Every year there is something new” that keeps visitors away, she said.
The Germans were released yesterday.
Also, Turkey has not yet made the most of its biblical and Christian heritage, Ms Kolsal said. “There is much still to be shown,” she said. But the rise in religious tourism has also led to fears in nationalist circles that the Christian West may try to claim Turkish territory and that Christian missionaries may try to exploit the opening of historic sites to convert Turkish Muslims to Christianity. The aim behind all the infrastructure improvements and restorations of Christian and ancient sites in Turkey was clear, the nationalist magazine Ufuk Otesi commented this month: “To take Anatolia, a former Christian territory, from our hand … Everything that is done under the motto of religious tourism only serves to put this plan into practice.”
tseibert@thenational.ae
Monday, July 7, 2008
World Religious Travel Expo Will Shape New Era in Faith Tourism
LITTLETON, CO – The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) will host the first annual World Religious Travel Expo, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008, in Orlando, FL. A historic and unprecedented event, the tradeshow and educational conference will feature a gathering of today’s “Who’s Who” in the 300 million religious traveler market. Hundreds of travel wholesalers, suppliers, media, tourist boards, agencies, group planners, travel ministry leaders and pastors are expected from throughout North America and around the world.
Current sponsors and exhibitors include prominent organizations such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Trafalgar Tours, Collette Vacations, MTS Travel, Raptim Travel, Unitours, Group IST, 206 Tours, Jordan Tourism Board of North America, Switzerland Tourism, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Israel Ministry of Tourism, Egypt Tourist Authority, Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau, Florida’s Space Coast Office of Tourism, Rail Europe, Passport Health, WordSpring Discovery Center, and Christian Travel Finder among others.
“Expo 2008 is the most important event of the year for any organization, group planner, or pastor involved in the promotion or participation of faith-based travel,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “The World Religious Travel Expo will serve as a pivot point between the Old and New Era of faith tourism. The result will be the emergence of a new generation of leaders in faith tourism, as well the launch of many new travel ministry programs.”
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event will provide the first world-class forum for travel suppliers, destinations, wholesalers, agencies and church travel planners to come face-to-face, develop and find new products and services, and build long-term relationships. All market segments will be represented at the Expo, including pilgrimage, cruising, missions, leisure vacations, attractions, conferences, retreats, Christian camps, and volunteer vacations, among others. Exhibitors will include tour operators, tourist boards, cruise lines, transportation companies, airlines, travel agencies, event planning services, hotels and accommodations, missionary agencies, travel insurance companies and faith-based destinations among others.
“As a Holy Land destination that provides a one-stop location to meet all the needs of faith-based travelers – from cruising to adventure, retreats to study tours and all the segments in between – we are delighted to sponsor the WRTA Expo,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board of North America (JTBNA), a WRTA charter member. “We look forward to working with WRTA to showcase fresh and unique travel opportunities for this dynamic and growing industry.”
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) already has announced two of the keynote speakers for this fall’s historic World Religious Travel Expo 2008 in Orlando, Florida: the Honorable Neko C. Grant, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, and Maurice Zarmati, President & CEO of Costa Cruise Lines. The selected keynote speakers reflect the growth and diversity of today’s faith tourism industry. The Bahamas has developed itself into a top destination for this vast and lucrative market, serving as an ideal getaway for faith-based events, meetings, cruises, missionary travel, leisure vacations, and much more. Costa Cruise Lines represents one of the newest and most popular vacation choices of today’s faith-based consumer….cruising. Today, hundreds of churches and religious organizations embark each year on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean, among other places.
The Educational Conference will provide the most comprehensive learning program ever offered on faith tourism – for both trade and group planners. Through leading industry speakers, dynamic presentations, panel discussions, interactive break-out sessions, seminars and peer networking forums, the trade participants can expand their knowledge of the opportunities in the new niche markets within faith tourism. Group planners will attend product seminars hosted by travel industry experts, while also learning how to enrich and expand their travel ministry programs.
The Expo will be hosted Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the renowned Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The top-rated facility and environment provides an exceptional forum for networking and exhibiting. More than 100 exhibitors and more than 400 participants are expected at the unprecedented event.
To learn more or register online, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com or call 1-800-657-1288. For more information about becoming a WRTA Member and joining the leading network for the religious travel industry, visit www.religioustravelassociation.com.
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Thursday, July 3, 2008
Religious tourism in Rome: transport discounts with pilgrim card
Religious tourism in Rome: transport discounts with pilgrim card
Read the full article at http://www.blogdolcevita.com/post/559/religious-tourism-in-rome-transport-discounts-with-pilgrim-card
The Catholic Church is getting Rome organised with a new transport initiative for pilgrims. The Rome transport association, ATAC, together with Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, have agreed to create a Carta del Pellegrino, or Pilgrim’s Card, for the celebrations of the Paolino jubilee. The card creates one ticket for all ATAC transport and the “Roma Cristiana” Open Bus lines, which will be valid for one or three days.
This is only the first phase as it’s likely the program will also extend to other services including giuded tours, church visits and museums, including the local public transport system. The card will be available in both ATAC sales points and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi points.
The news comes from Adnmundo.com and Roma Notizie. Go to the ATAC and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi sites for more information.
Read the full article at http://www.blogdolcevita.com/post/559/religious-tourism-in-rome-transport-discounts-with-pilgrim-card
The Catholic Church is getting Rome organised with a new transport initiative for pilgrims. The Rome transport association, ATAC, together with Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, have agreed to create a Carta del Pellegrino, or Pilgrim’s Card, for the celebrations of the Paolino jubilee. The card creates one ticket for all ATAC transport and the “Roma Cristiana” Open Bus lines, which will be valid for one or three days.
This is only the first phase as it’s likely the program will also extend to other services including giuded tours, church visits and museums, including the local public transport system. The card will be available in both ATAC sales points and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi points.
The news comes from Adnmundo.com and Roma Notizie. Go to the ATAC and Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi sites for more information.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Journeys of the Spirt Festival Announced by Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rosamaria Mancini/ Press Office
+39 06/69896301/3351609526
r.mancini@jospfest.com
ORP Announces Josp Fest, Journeys of the Spirit Festival
25 June, 2008, Rome - Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi announces today the launch of Josp Fest, Journeys of the Spirit Festival, the first international festival dedicated to “journeys” of the spirit.
The four-day festival, to be held from 15 to 18 January at the New Rome Fair Grounds, is an event that “celebrates” pilgrims and calls on all people of the world who desire to “begin a journey” that stimulates and contributes to spiritual growth.
Josp Fest, which will bring together the public and industry operators, is different and like no other event because it’s focused not only on pilgrimages to sacred locations, but also on the interior experience that come along with these journeys.
“The theme of the interior journey is important because it distinguishes these itineraries of faith from existing offerings that do not give the possibility of an interior experience that allows us to find the truth in ourselves concerning God and our world,” said Father Cesare Atuire, director general of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi.
Using new technology, Josp Fest will allow visitors to create a dialogue with diverse churches, faith-based communities and religions, as well as different nations and civilizations.
The festival will also offer extensive programs, performances and meetings in modern spaces that will entertain both young and old, as well as inform, stimulate, reflect and evangelize with joy.
“Sing and walk,” a phrase by St. Augustine, is the theme of the first edition of Josp Fest as it clearly describes the pilgrimage experience.
Josp Fest is the result of the continuing popularity of religion and spirituality as motivation for travel. This type of travel, or pilgrimage, that dates as far back to Egyptian Empire when out-of-towners streamed into the city to attend religious festivals, has over the years become associated with stereotypes such as niche market and trips for adults of a certain age.
Josp Fest, however, is the great opportunity to help eliminate those stereotypes and to retrain the tourism industry to focus on the dynamic aspects of the pilgrimage experience.
Rome, the city of Pope Benedict XVI, is the host city for Josp Fest because it’s the capital of Christian faith and the only city in the world that has had 2,000 continuous years of Christianity.
Rome, rich in religious sites and monuments, is the place to begin a spiritual journey, and its central geographical location also makes it the ideal departure point for pilgrims to take off from and visit the rest of the religious world.
Rome, a city that is highly regarded for its capacity to receive people, and the Church of Rome that St. Ignatius of Antioch said, “presides in charity,” are prepared to host this unique international event in 2009.
For more information visit our newly launched web site at www.jospfest.com
###
Contact: Rosamaria Mancini/ Press Office
+39 06/69896301/3351609526
r.mancini@jospfest.com
ORP Announces Josp Fest, Journeys of the Spirit Festival
25 June, 2008, Rome - Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi announces today the launch of Josp Fest, Journeys of the Spirit Festival, the first international festival dedicated to “journeys” of the spirit.
The four-day festival, to be held from 15 to 18 January at the New Rome Fair Grounds, is an event that “celebrates” pilgrims and calls on all people of the world who desire to “begin a journey” that stimulates and contributes to spiritual growth.
Josp Fest, which will bring together the public and industry operators, is different and like no other event because it’s focused not only on pilgrimages to sacred locations, but also on the interior experience that come along with these journeys.
“The theme of the interior journey is important because it distinguishes these itineraries of faith from existing offerings that do not give the possibility of an interior experience that allows us to find the truth in ourselves concerning God and our world,” said Father Cesare Atuire, director general of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi.
Using new technology, Josp Fest will allow visitors to create a dialogue with diverse churches, faith-based communities and religions, as well as different nations and civilizations.
The festival will also offer extensive programs, performances and meetings in modern spaces that will entertain both young and old, as well as inform, stimulate, reflect and evangelize with joy.
“Sing and walk,” a phrase by St. Augustine, is the theme of the first edition of Josp Fest as it clearly describes the pilgrimage experience.
Josp Fest is the result of the continuing popularity of religion and spirituality as motivation for travel. This type of travel, or pilgrimage, that dates as far back to Egyptian Empire when out-of-towners streamed into the city to attend religious festivals, has over the years become associated with stereotypes such as niche market and trips for adults of a certain age.
Josp Fest, however, is the great opportunity to help eliminate those stereotypes and to retrain the tourism industry to focus on the dynamic aspects of the pilgrimage experience.
Rome, the city of Pope Benedict XVI, is the host city for Josp Fest because it’s the capital of Christian faith and the only city in the world that has had 2,000 continuous years of Christianity.
Rome, rich in religious sites and monuments, is the place to begin a spiritual journey, and its central geographical location also makes it the ideal departure point for pilgrims to take off from and visit the rest of the religious world.
Rome, a city that is highly regarded for its capacity to receive people, and the Church of Rome that St. Ignatius of Antioch said, “presides in charity,” are prepared to host this unique international event in 2009.
For more information visit our newly launched web site at www.jospfest.com
###
Monday, June 30, 2008
The Year of Faith Tourism Proclaimed by the World Religious Travel Association
LITTLETON, Colorado (July 1, 2008) – The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has designated 2009 as The Year of Faith Tourism. Serving as a special time set aside for the promotion of and participation in travel by people of faith, the purpose and goal of the year-long celebrations and activities is three-fold: (1) Highlight the New Era of Faith Tourism. (2) Increase the awareness of the personal and communal benefits of Faith Tourism. (3) Contribute to the overall growth and health of the global economy, travel industry, and individual travel providers.All sectors of society are encouraged to become actively involved in The Year of Faith Tourism including the media, governments, travel providers/suppliers, faith communities, and individuals. The official host of The Year of Faith Tourism is the World Religious Travel Association, the leading organization dedicated to the $18 billion faith-based travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.
“Never before has a time been so ripe for the promotion of and participation in Faith Tourism. Although religious travel is the historic forerunner of today’s mass tourism, only now is Faith Tourism beginning to make its presence and economic contributions known throughout society and the travel industry in a big way,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president and author of The Christian Travel Planner. “Faith Tourism is a market that is currently experiencing extraordinary growth on multiple fronts and is poised to continue this trend into 2009 and beyond.”
In recent years, Faith Tourism has evolved from a niche market driven primarily by budget pilgrimages and retirees into a vast and dynamic industry comprised of all ages seeking a diverse range of quality travel experiences. Faith Tourism today comprises its own “niche” segments including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, events, conferences, cruises, leisure vacations, adventure trips, retreats, camps, monastic guest-stays, attractions, and many other forms of travel. According to the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, there are 3.3 billion Christian domestic tourists each year, 250 million Christian foreign tourists, and 150 million Christian pilgrims who are “on the move.”
As 2009 is shaping up to be year of uncertainty especially within the travel industry, there has never been a more opportune or needed time for placing Faith Tourism “front and center” of society and the global travel industry. With its designation and spotlight in 2009, Faith Tourism is set to serve as an integral economic pillar and stimulus of the global and local travel economy during this special year of celebrations and activities.
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has designated the following fifteen ways in which every person and sector of society and the travel industry can become involved in the promotion of and/or active participation in Faith Tourism:
1. Individuals embark on travels with their faith community and/or to any faith-related destination.
2. Individuals become group travel planners for their faith communities.
3. Faith communities launch a formal travel program (or travel ministry).
4. Faith communities host one or more group trips.
5. Religious leaders preach on travel as ministry.
6. Tourist boards and CVB’s dedicate resources towards attracting, growing, and measuring Faith Tourism.
7. Travel and hospitality providers integrate the faith market and consumer into their overall product, sales, and marketing plans/efforts.
8. The travel industry further develops and enriches Faith Tourism educational resources and business materials.
9. Tour director schools integrate faith tourism curriculum.
10. Media feature and report on stories about Faith Tourism.
11. Film and other related companies produce faith travel programs, documentaries, and series.
12. Publishers launch or expand faith travel publications including guidebooks, magazines, and other periodicals.
13. Religious bookstores and gift-stores implement Travel sections.
14. Colleges and universities undertake the study of Faith Tourism and/or offer Faith Tourism classes.
15. Religious governing bodies promote and advance the theology of Faith Tourism.
As part of its kick-off for The Year of Faith Tourism, the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is hosting this fall the World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference in Orlando (Florida) from October 29 – November 1, 2008. Serving as the travel industry’s first-ever global tradeshow and convention dedicated to the faith tourism and hospitality industry, the event will serve as a gathering of the “Who’s Who” in this robust marketplace. Two of the keynote speakers include the Honorable Neko C. Grant, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, and Maurice Zarmati, President & CEO of Costa Cruise Lines. The selected keynote speakers reflect the growth and diversity of today’s faith tourism industry. More than 400 participants are expected at this historic and unprecedented show.
To learn more about The Year of Faith Tourism, visit the official website at www.faithtourism2009.com. For more information about the World Religious Travel Association or the World Religious Travel Expo, visit the websites www.religioustravelassociation.com and www.religioustravelexpo.com or call 1-800-657-1288.
###
About the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA)
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is the leading network for shaping, enriching, and expanding the $18 billion global faith tourism industry. WRTA exists to bring the travel trade and religious consumer together for the primary purpose of promoting and providing quality faith travel experiences around the globe. As the source and voice for the religious travel industry, WRTA provides members opportunities to network, learn, contribute, and lead. WRTA embraces all segments of faith tourism: Pilgrimages, Leisure, Cruises, Events/Conventions, Missions, Retreats, Attractions, Family, Student/Youth, Adventure and Volunteer Vacations. To learn more about WRTA or to become a member or associate, visit www.ReligiousTravelAssociation.com or contact WRTA at 1-800-657-1288 or 360-778-3047. To attend or exhibit at the World Religious Travel Expo, register online at www.ReligiousTravelExpo.com.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
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