Globus Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Travel Market

Read full story at http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=57991

Globus in 2010 will mark the sixth anniversary of its religious tour division with the release of a dozen itineraries focused on the lands of the Bible, with products designed for both Protestant and Catholic denominations. Globus claims to be the largest tour operator to offer faith-based travel, says it is expecting the niche to continue to grow. According to Globus’ Religious Travel Study, conducted by Menlo Consulting Group, 4.5 million people have traveled internationally on a religious or faith-based vacation. That number is expected to increase exponentially in the next three years. The same study revealed that by 2012, an additional 9.7 million will have traveled internationally on religious journeys.

Meseznikov, US Evangelicals push for tourism boom

Jul. 25, 2009
E.B. SOLOMONT, Jerusalem Post correspondent , THE JERUSALEM POST

Read the full article at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277886717&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

NEW YORK - Israel's Tourism Ministry is joining forces with a major American Evangelical movement to boost travel to the Jewish state.

The partnership, with United Christians for Israel, comes amid a major tourism push outlined by
Tourism Minister Stas Meseznikov during a recent visit to the United States. The multi-year campaign, which targets both Jews and non-Jews, will include a $38 million marketing budget - more than twice last year's budget.

The US is Israel's "No. 1 source country for incoming tourism," Meseznikov said. "The segmented, focused and intensive marketing activities of the Tourism Ministry will lead to a slowing down of the decrease in tourism and a return to an increase in incoming tourism next year."

The push for visits to Israel by Evangelicals was made during CUFI's annual summit, held last week in Washington. Officials outlined a new task force to promote Christian tourism in Israel. Led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, Meseznikov and CUFI Chairman Pastor John Hagee, it will include an annual conference in Israel and conference calls with senior Israeli officials every three months.

Amid the national push for tourism, Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat said he wants to expand the capital's tourism industry fivefold within a decade. During a trip to New York on Thursday, Barkat told reporters he hopes to increase the number of tourists visiting Jerusalem each year to 10 million, up from around 2 million. He cited other international cities - such as New York and Rome - which host more than 40 million tourists annually.

Read the rest of the article at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1248277886717&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jerusalem, Rome, and Istanbul ranked among top tourism cities

According to the prestigious Travel+Leisure Magazine, the holy and religious destinations of Jerusalem and Rome ranked among the "World's Best Cities" award for 2009. Istanbul, which also features a rich religious history, ranked among the top 20 cities as well.

For more information visit http://tinyurl.com/topreligiouscities

5 Great Reasons to Choose Ireland for Your Next Faith-based Trip (by CIE Tours)

Note: The following article by CIE Tours is taken from today's publication of the Members-only "On The Cutting Edge" Newsletter.

Ireland is a win/win product for faith-based travel -
a winning experience for the client and a winning sale for the tour organizer. Long known as the "Isle of Saints & Scholars," Ireland was the center of Christian learning, education, and traditions that were taught in the monasteries throughout Europe over a thousand years ago. This tradition has been carried forth into the 21st century, opening many doors for faith-based travel to Ireland. And, it is well known that "affinity" is the beauty of all group travel.

Here are 5 great reasons to choose Ireland for your next faith-based trip:

1. Ireland is the home of St. Patrick, St. Bridget, St. Kevin, St. Columba, St. Killian, St. Ciaran, and hundreds of other saints who have connections to US-based travelers.

2. The Book of Kells, an elaborately scripted 9th century version of the Four Gospels and truly one of the great religious treasures of the world, is a main attraction of Dublin.

3. Co. Mayo is the setting of Knock, a leading Marian shrine like Lourdes and Fatima, drawing close to 2 million people a year.

4. Many of Ireland's historic abbeys and churches are in beautiful settings, easily accessible and open to the public, such as Kylemore Abbey, Glenstal Abbey, Ballintubber Abbey, as well as cathedrals, churches, chapels, round towers and high crosses.

5. Ireland's mainstream visitor attractions include many places with religious significance - to trace in the footsteps of saints: 6th century Glendalough and Clonmacnoise monastic settlements; St. Patrick's Holy Mountain near Westport, Co. Mayo; St. Patrick's Grave and early cathedrals in Armagh and Down; St. Declan's round tower at Ardmore, Co. Waterford; The Rock of Cashel; Holy Island in Lough Derg, and more.

CIE Tours is geared to facilitating faith-based travel and building itineraries that blend religious links with enjoyable 21st century activities and luxuries. CIE's group department works to develop customized itineraries to fit every requirement - arranging visits to Mass rocks, holy wells, and other unusual religious places. No request is too difficult - CIE has all the right connections.

Jim Kelly Vice President - Sales
CIE Tours International
Tel: 1-800-243-8687
http://www.cietours.com/
Email: helpdesk@CIEtours.com

History behind 3 top religious events in 2010

Source: http://www.missiontravelgroup.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=66&Itemid=62

Three top religious travel events next year
Next year, we have the opportunity to experience 3 of the biggest travel events on the religious calendar in exceptionally rare circumstances. Firstly the once-in-a-decade Oberammergau Passion Play is generating huge interest and tours are filling fast. 2010 is a designated Holy Year at Santiago de Compostela as St James' day (25th July) falls on a Sunday and the iconic Shroud of Turin is available for public viewing for a short 6 weeks due to Papal decree making it available only once a decade.

HISTORY OF THE PASSION PLAY
The genesis of the Passion Play at the village of Oberammergau is at once compelling and inspiring. Here is the story…

In 1633 an outbreak of the Bubonic plague was racing through Central Europe, killing hundreds of thousands of people. The Black Plague, as it was known, took the lives of 15,000 people in Munich alone. Oberammergau was then – as it is today – a lovely bucolic village resting in the mountains of southern Germany, in the region known as Bavaria. Despite all the villagers’ efforts, the plague claimed many victims in the town. With no end to the plague in sight, the frightened residents gathered and vowed to perform a play depicting the Passion of Christ every ten years forevermore if the Lord would spare their village of further atrocity. The town was spared of further calamity. The Plague took no more lives. And with the first performance in 1634 a tradition was born. Despite the intervening centuries and threats to their town, the villagers of Oberammergau have maintained their vow for almost four hundred years, performing every ten years the play portraying the Passion of Jesus Christ.

In 2010 more than 1,700 Oberammergau residents fulfill the solemn promise of their forefathers and will perform the Passion Play for the world to see. This event has become the world’s most popular dramatic presentation of the Passion. Join thousands of people from around the world in attending the Play in 2010.

Mission Travel has a number of Oberammergau Tours and Individual 1 & 2 Day packages for next year’s Performances. Please contact Carmen Reinstein at Mission Travel Group via email carmen@missiontravel.com.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone our office on 1300 554 654

HISTORY OF THE HOLY YEAR AT COMPOSTELA Next to the Holy Land, the pilgrimage route to Santiago is best known and most traveled route in the Christian world. The pilgrimage visits the resting place of St. James, the Apostle, thus it is often called ‘The Way of St. James.’ The town of Santiago is located in northwest Spain, in the beautiful region of Galicia.

It is widely claimed that in 1122 Pope Calixtus II gave Compostela the privilege of granting the grace of the Jubilee (plenary indulgence) to those who visited the shrine of the Apostle St James in the years when the saint's day, 25th of July, fell on a Sunday. An additional condition of the indulgence was that while in Santiago, the pilgrims would make their confession, attend Mass, gave a donation for the upkeep of the shrine, and perform good works.

Mission Travel Group has a number of walking tours along the The Way of St. James. Please contact Carmen Reinstein at Mission Travel Group via email carmen@missiontravel.com.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone our office on 1300 554 654

SHROUD OF TURIN
Experience the thrill of viewing the Holy Shroud, a rectangular piece of Linen, which since the 14th century has been venerated as the burial cloth of Jesus Christ. The Shroud bears the imprint of the body of a man crucified in a way very similar to the biblical account of Jesus’ crucifixion. The face and the body imprinted on the 14 and ½’ cloth can be clearly discerned. Last time the Shroud was exhibited was in 2000 to crowds numbering hundreds of thousands. This is what is considered one of the holiest relics for Christians will not be seen again, publicly until 2020. In 2010 the Holy Shroud is on view only for 6 weeks based on a special Papal decree. Numerous books, articles, videos and scientific experiments have been published discussing the history and the authenticity of the Holy Shroud. It is one of the most controversial, yet fascinating religious and historic artifacts, we know of.

Mission Travel Group can assist you with your travel plans to Turin to view this exhibit. Please contact Carmen Reinstein at Mission Travel Group via email carmen@missiontravel.com.au This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or phone our office on 1300 554 654

The RCMA Survey Presents: The Religious Meetings Market

Full story/stats at: http://meetingsnet.com/religiousconferencemanager/mag/0601-religious-meetings-market-survey/?smte=wl

The RCMA Survey Presents: The Religious Meetings MarketJun 1, 2009 12:00 PM, RCM Staff Report

The annual RCMA Member Survey provides a snapshot of the religious meetings conducted by RCMA's meeting planners. The 2008 picture shows that RCMA members are a force in the meetings industry, as they build on strong relationships with the people, facilities, and communities that provide services for religious events.

The 2008 survey reveals:


Attendance at meetings conducted by RCMA members stood at 11.3 million.

Downtown sites are the top choice for religious meeting planners and organizations, hosting 17.5 percent of all religious meetings.

Suburban hotels grew in popularity as sites for religious meetings.

The duration of meetings continues to remain stable.

The percentage of meeting planners who said that they use venues throughout the U.S. stands at more than 22 percent.


The NumbersIn 2008, 11,387,533 people attended meetings that were conducted by RCMA members. Conventions and conferences accounted for 9.2 million of the total attendees, followed by 530,416 attendees at committee meetings and seminars. Retreats, with 346,404 attendees, and board meetings (118,890) followed.

Of the 13,981 meetings held in 2008, committee and seminars made up a significant portion; RCMA organizations held 4,697 such meetings in 2008. Conventions and conferences ranked second in the number of meetings in 2008, with 3,460, followed by other types of meetings (2,234), and board meetings (2,165).

Downtown RulesDowntown hotels continue to be the top choice for religious meeting planners: 17.5 percent of the meetings in 2008 were held at downtown hotels. Downtown hotels have led for the past 14 years.

As the second-most-popular option, conference centers continue to be a popular choice for RCMA planners and organizations. In 2008, 16.8 percent of all meetings were held in conference centers.

The third-most-popular meeting facilities, suburban hotels, rose in the percentage of business they received from RCMA planners. Suburban hotels garnered 13.1 percent of the business in 2008, up from 12.8 percent in 2007.

Next, convention/civic centers commanded 11.3 percent of the business.

Camps and retreats continue to be appealing, claiming 11.1 percent of the RCMA business.

In the sixth spot, resort hotels attracted 10.9 percent of the business in 2008.

Airport hotels remained in seventh place, hosting 10.8 percent of the meetings in 2008.

Colleges and universities continue to represent an important alternative for religious meeting planners, with 7.1 percent of the 2008 business. Cruise ships garnered just 1.5 percent of the religious meetings business.

Room BlocksIt was not unusual in 2008 for a religious meeting planner to need 100 to 200 rooms for his or her largest meeting. That category made up 18 percent of the survey, while meetings requiring 10 to 50 rooms came in at 15 percent.

Meetings requiring 50 to 100 rooms were 13 percent of RCMA business. Meetings with 300 to 500 rooms were at 12 percent. Meetings requiring 500 to 1,000 rooms and 200 to 300 rooms also represented 12 percent.

Only 5 percent of meetings needed more than 3,000 sleeping rooms, but those meetings are a significant share of religious-meetings business.

Meeting SizesIf you are a meeting planner whose largest seating capacity in 2008 was 500 to 1,000, then you are not alone in RCMA. Eighteen percent of respondents said that was their largest meeting of the year.

Seventeen percent of respondents said that 1,000 to 2,500 was their largest seating capacity. Meetings in the 100-300 size also represented 17 percent, followed by 300-500 (16 percent).

At the very high end, 2 percent of those surveyed said that their largest meetings in 2008 required seating for more than 25,000 people.

The survey indicates that when it comes to exhibits and trade shows, a significant majority of religious meetings use them. Sixty-nine percent of those surveyed needed exhibit space in 2008, which is a slight increase from 67 percent in 2007.

The member survey for 2008 showed little change in the size of exhibit space needed, with 27 percent of planners needing 3,000 to 4,000 square feet. On the high end, 2 percent of RCMA members said that their largest meeting required 40,000 to 50,000 square feet of exhibit space, and 7 percent needed more than 50,000 square feet.

Help WantedThe popularity of catering services continues to be high among RCMA planners. Just a few years ago, only a quarter of the RCMA members surveyed reported using catering and banquet services. In 2008, however, 80 percent used those services.

Audiovisuals, too, are an integral part of religious meetings. RCMA members used AV supplier services at 81 percent of their meetings.

Efficient ground transportation and tours are important to religious meeting planners as well, according to the survey. In 2008, 54 percent of those surveyed said that they used ground transportation and tour services.

Special air rates and ticketing were used by 49 percent of the RCMA members surveyed, while exhibit and decorating services were used by 46 percent of RCMA members surveyed. Forty-three percent of those surveyed made use of car rentals.

Time Well SpentAgain in 2008, the RCMA survey shows that people are willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to attending religious meetings.

The average length of conventions and conferences was 4.1 days in 2008, a statistic that has held steady for more than 10 years. The survey also seems to indicate that retreats are very important. The length of retreats remains high: 3.4 days in 2008. The length of the average board meeting was 2.3 days in 2008, and the average committee meeting and seminar lasted 2.2 days.

From Sea to Shining SeaThe Midwest continues to be popular for religious meetings, with 19.4 percent of planners reporting that they hold meetings there. The Southeast remains strong in the percentage of planners who chose it, at 15.4 percent in 2008. The Northeast states were used by 13.2 percent of the planners, followed by the Western states at 10.4 percent and South Central at 10.1 percent. The percentage of planners who hold meetings “throughout the USA” was 22.2 percent.

Of those surveyed, 9.3 percent said they hold meetings outside the United States.


Meeting Attendance
Fig. 1 Type of Meeting Total Attendance 2008
Convention/Conference 9,204,732
Board 118,890
Committee/Seminar 530,416
Retreat 346,404
Other 1,187,091
Total 11,387,533

Types of Meeting Facilities Used
Fig. 6 Facility
Downtown Hotel 17.5%
Conference Center 16.8%
Suburban Hotel 13.1%
Convention/Civic Center 11.3%
Camps/Resorts 11.1%
Resort Hotel 10.9%
Airport Hotel 10.8%
College/University 7.1%
Cruise Ship 1.5%