Faith Tourism Headline News

UK The Telegraph: John Paul II beatification ceremony to draw a million pilgrims to Rome

2011-01-17T12:33:00.001-08:00

Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed a miracle attributed to his predecessor, John Paul II, paving the way for him to be beatified at a ceremony which could draw up to a million pilgrims to Rome.
Article link:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/8260125/John-Paul-II-beatification-ceremony-to-draw-a-million-pilgrims-to-Rome.html

Article on Religious Tourism by Travel Market Report

2010-11-18T13:53:00.000-08:00

November 15, 2010
Faith-Based, Religious Travel Strong and Growing
Website link: http://www.travelmarketreport.com/leisure?articleID=4545&LP=1
By Dori Saltzman, Travel Market Report

Cyprus Tourism News - November 2010

2010-11-03T09:49:00.001-07:00

Plan your Christmas Holidays in Cyprus!

With Christmas just around the corner, we invite you for a unique Cyprus experience through an assortment of spectacular events. Feel the magic of the season by visiting candlelit churches or Christmas markets and experience gastronomic delights at traditional tavernas.

Get carried away by the festive spirit and relax at one of the island’s luxury hotels next to turquoise seas or on the pine clad mountains.

Discover Cyprus's rich culture and traditions by participating in inspiring cultural performances and events.

Discover Top Hotel Deals for this Christmas Holidays or your new year's holiday escapes at http://www.book.visitcyprus.com/

To keep up with all that happens on the island become fan of Cyprus on Facebook or follow visitcyprus on Twitter, or watch our videos on YouTube.

To find out more visit http://www.visitcyprus.com/.

WRTA Debuts Special Offer for World Religious Travel Expo: “Bring Agent/Planner, Both Go For Free”

2010-10-26T14:43:00.000-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky.– The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) announced its “Bring an Agent/Planner, Both Go for Free” campaign for its upcoming Expo. Travel agents seeking new sources of revenues and clientele, while being mindful of their budgets, can bring a fellow travel agent professional or group planner, such as a religious leader or travel ministry organizer, to the November 13-16 World Religious Travel Expo in Montreal. Both will receive complimentary registration; regular admission for a travel agent or planner is $35.

“We are very excited to roll out this new special offer for Expo buyers and attendees,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “The promotional campaign is in response to hearing from many travel agents and planners that finances are their top concern. If we can somehow help alleviate this challenge for them, they’ll then be able to successfully attend the upcoming World Religious Travel Expo.”

Wright views the program as a win-win arrangement. “If a travel agent brings another travel agent or planner, not only do they both go for free, but it also helps WRTA and our Expo by increasing the overall number of qualified attendees for sellers,” Wright said. “Everybody wins in this scenario.”

To take advantage of the special offer by WRTA and the World Religious Travel Expo, the following criteria must be met:
• A sponsoring travel agent must contact WRTA staff and provide registration information for the travel agent(s) or planner(s) he or she wishes to bring to the Expo.
• The travel agents and planners who are accompanying the sponsoring travel agent will be contacted by WRTA to verify their contact information and affiliation with the sponsoring travel agent.
• Once the sponsoring and contact information of all parties is verified by WRTA staff, the registrations will be processed (and Expo registration fees waived).
• The “Bring an Agent/Planner, Both Go For Free” offer is valid ONLY through the pre-registration period, ending on Friday, November 5, 2010. The offer is not valid after November 5, 2010, or on-site in Montreal.

The World Religious Travel Expo is the world’s pre-eminent faith tourism marketplace gathering, with hundreds of professionals and tourism organizations from more than 30 countries in attendance. November’s Expo will be held in conjunction with the NTA Convention for the second consecutive year, providing a combined gathering of 2,000-plus travel professionals and tourism organizations. Through this collaboration with NTA, the leading association for travel professionals, both associations can offer its members opportunities for education, business expansion and networking, along with access to new markets.

For more information about the special offer, contact the World Religious Travel Association by phone at 888.255.WRTA (9782) or +1.859.219.3529 or by e-mail at headquarters(at)WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about the WRTA Expo, visit http://www.wrtaexpo.com/. You can also find WRTA and the World Religious Travel Expo on Facebook.

The World Religious Travel Association is the leading global network for the $18 billion faith tourism industry. WRTA's primary purpose is to guide, enrich and expand religious travel and hospitality around the globe. WRTA membership includes travel agents, tour operators, tourism boards, attractions, accommodations, suppliers, media and other organizations involved in tourism. For more information visit http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/ or http://www.wrtaexpo.com/.

Transform your business with renewed creativity, purpose and focus

2010-10-25T12:38:00.000-07:00

Keith Powell, The Business Revivalist, has a mission to educate, facilitate and motivate people to take action. At the 2010 World Religious Travel Expo in Montréal, Keith will share the wisdom gained from his extensive business and personal experiences in a seminar entitled "Igniting the Creative Spark for Your Faith-Based Business." Go to Keith's YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/user/CoffeeWithKeith to see some quick video tips, and get a glimpse of what you will see at this year' Expo!

Note from Torre Ossmo of Faithful Holidays regarding Media Attention of Montreal and Faith Tourism

2010-10-21T14:06:00.000-07:00

From the Desk of Torre Ossmo
Vice President & General Manager, Faithful Holidays

Hey, did you see this news story?
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20101017/brother-andre-canonized-101017

This means travel to Montréal is going to be booming soon, especially for religious groups (which is an $18 billion industry!).

I’m heading to the World Religious Travel Expo in Montréal Nov 13-15. It’s just $35 for travel agents, you’ll get one free hotel room night, plus the entertainment is going to be great – 12 Broadway Show acts at just one of the luncheons. Plus there are some great seminars there too.

Best yet.....if you bring a fellow travel agent or religious planner (i.e. religious leader) - BOTH of you receive FREE Expo admission. Can't beat that!

Join me at Expo 2010. You can register here:

http://www.wrtaexpo.com/WRTA+Expo/About+Expo/Registration.htm

Hope to see you in Montréal soon!

Torre
=================
Torre Ossmo
Vice President & General Manager
Faithful Holidays
1225 Warren Avenue
PO Box 490
Downers Grove, Illinois 60515
630.435.8272
torre@faithfulholidays.com
http://www.faithfulholidays.com/

Faithful Holidays is a division of Mayflower Tours, Inc. Based in the Midwest, Mayflower Tours is in its 31st year of service to the traveling public. Over the years Mayflower recognized a need for a more specialized type of travel – one where all the happiness and excitement of a destination is enhanced by emphasizing attractions and events that reinforce our beliefs.

Faithful Holidays (through its parent Mayflower Tours) is well suited to accomplish this. The company is family-owned and operated. Its employees cumulatively represent hundreds of years of experience in hospitality management. Mayflower posts a $1,000,000 Travelers Assistance bond with the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) as sign of good faith that travelers’ monies are secure.

We offer churches, organizations and other affiliated groups the opportunity to travel together to those places that will enhance their beliefs. We also make available to travelers who do not belong to such a group the chance to be with like-minded people.

Clergy and group organizers are encouraged to contact us. Faithful Holidays can enhance the experience of faith-based travel while contributing to the overall well-being and enthusiasm of your spiritual family.

WRTA Expo Newsletter - Nov 20

2010-10-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

WRTA Expo = Two Shows in One Means Big Savings!

Attending the World Religious Travel Expo in Montréal is more economical than ever. New this year, WRTA delegates will have more access to the NTA (National Tour Association) Annual Convention on Nov. 13-15, including education, networking events and most meals.

For just a $35 registration fee for travel agents and religious travel planners, you get:

• Five complimentary meals
• Reception with open bar
• Live performances from more than 12 Broadway shows
• Access to more than 30 education sessions
• Access to over 100 exhibitors, including over 30 different countries
WRTA Exhibitors NTA Exhibitors
• Complimentary overnight FAM trip to Québec’s National Sanctuaries (for first 50 registrants, if you sign up by Oct. 22)

For more information or to register, contact us at members@wrtareligioustravel.com or call 888-255-WRTA U.S./Canada or +1.859-219-3529.

WRTA President Speaks on Canonization of Brother André

WRTA President Kevin J. Wright was interviewed on CTV News Channel last Sunday as part of the media coverage garnered by the canonization of Brother André Bessette. The Québec monk who founded Montréal's St. Joseph's Oratory was named a saint by Pope Benedict in a ceremony at the Vatican last weekend. Read more here.

CBS Newsmaker to Speak at Expo

Steve Hartman, an Emmy-award-winning correspondent for The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric ("Assignment America"), will open the co-located World Religious Travel Expo and NTA Convention in Montréal at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 14. Full Article.

Top 5 Bragging Rights to Attend Expo 2010 in Montréal
by WRTA President Kevin J. Wright
1. Participate in the largest gathering in faith tourism.
2. Spectacularly enrich your religious travel program and products.
3. Garner wild new success and expanded clientele in 2011.
4. Become an enviable “Who’s Who” in faith tourism and hospitality.
5. Discover Montréal firsthand, an up-and-coming destination in religious tourism.
Bonus!
6. You’ll be seen as the local market expert in faith tourism!

PyroMarketing - A New Way to Think About Marketing

"The era of mass marketing is ending. The promotion of a single product or service to everyone through undifferentiated media reached its peak in the 1960's and its success convinced most marketers it was the only way." (from www.pyromarketing.com). Join Greg Stielstra at the World Religious Travel Expo in Montréal to discover his revolutionary PyroMarketing principles and apply them to your business! Learn more about PyroMarketing by watching this quick video from Creo Productions.

World Religious Travel Expo
Nov. 13 -16, 2010
Palais des congrès de Montréal
(Montréal Convention Center)
Montréal, Québec

For info or to register visit http://www.wrtaexpo.com/

SPECIAL EXPO OFFER: BRING AN AGENT OR PLANNER; BOTH GO FOR FREE!!!

2010-10-19T21:42:00.001-07:00

HURRY!!!

Pre-register for the World Religious Travel Expo by October 27 and bring a fellow travel agent or travel planner - AND you both get a FREE registration!

To register or for more info, visit www.WRTAexpo.com or call 859-219-3529.

PyroMarketing - A New Way to Think About Marketing

2010-10-19T15:59:00.000-07:00

"The era of mass marketing is ending. The promotion of a single product or service to everyone through undifferentiated media reached its peak in the 1960's and its success convinced most marketers it was the only way." (from www.pyromarketing.com). Join Greg Stielstra at the World Religious Travel Expo in Montréal to discover his revolutionary PyroMarketing principles and apply them to your business! Learn more about PyroMarketing by watching this quick video from Creo Productions:
Website http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N339VkrzNTA

WRTA President to Appear on CTV News Channel Sunday

2010-10-15T14:38:00.000-07:00

As part of the media attention garnered by Brother André’s canonization by Pope Benedict this weekend, WRTA President Kevin J. Wright will be interviewed on CTV News Channel Sunday about how this great event and the upcoming World Religious Travel Expo will boost faith-based tourism in Montréal.
CTV News Channel: http://www.ctv.ca/newschannel/

CBS Newsmaker to Open Co-Located WRTA/NTA Event

2010-10-13T18:11:00.000-07:00

Steve Hartman, correspondent for The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric ("Assignment America"), will open the co-located World Religious Travel Expo and NTA Convention in Montreal at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 14. Hartman is best known for his series of news reports, "Everybody in the World Has a Story," which have earned him several major journalism awards, including an Emmy, a Columbia Journalism DuPont award, and four Edward R. Murrow awards.

Full Article
http://www.ntaonline.com/articles/index.cfm?action=view&articleID=2147§ionID=32

Broadway is Coming to Montréal!

2010-10-12T17:39:00.001-07:00

Where can you get lunch and 12 live Broadway performances free?
Only at the World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference in Montréal. Broadway.com/Groups is hosting the luncheon for delegates on Monday, Nov. 15, and the luncheon is just part of the incredible experience. Registration is just $35. Visit http://www.wrtaexpo.com/ to register today and reserve your spot!

Canonization will boost Montreal tourism

2010-10-04T15:31:00.001-07:00

Read full story at
http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/life/article/653171--canonization-will-boost-montreal-tourism

MONTREAL - Having a newly minted saint in town isn't just good news for Montreal's faithful — it will also likely bring a few hallelujahs from the city's travel industry.

The canonization of Brother Andre by Pope Benedict on Oct. 17 will not only spur some special events in Montreal but will also have long-lasting effects on the marketing of the city as a religious tourism destination, observers say.

"Once somebody is canonized, that really shoots it through the roof," says Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, which is holding its annual trade show in Montreal in November.

Wright said besides all the media attention Montreal will get because of the canonization, the papal nod to one of its local sons will be an incentive for faith-based tour operators to push Montreal itineraries in their packages.

Read full story at http://www.metronews.ca/calgary/life/article/653171--canonization-will-boost-montreal-tourism

40-plus Industry Experts Headline Industry’s Largest Faith Tourism Business Seminar Program at Expo 2010

2010-09-30T14:41:00.001-07:00

For Immediate Release
September 30, 2010

LEXINGTON, Ky.– The World Religious Travel Association business seminars for the November 13–16 World Religious Travel Expo 2010 will serve as the industry’s most comprehensive educational program on faith-based tourism and hospitality. The two-day curriculum will feature 40-plus industry experts, including several published authors. For the third straight year, travel agents and providers can earn up to three continuing educational units through The Travel Institute www.thetravelinstitute.com by attending and participating in the Expo business and educational seminar program.

“As sharing business acumen and education about the religious travel market is a key mission of WRTA and our annual Expo, we are ecstatic about this year’s lineup of speakers and seminars,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “The topics cover virtually every segment of the industry from product development to sales to consumer service to word-of-mouth-marketing and much more. In addition, we’ll host several open forums whereby delegates can ask their own questions and share stories of success with fellow religious travel professionals, colleagues and experts.”

The business and educational seminar topics for the World Religious Travel Expo 2010 include:

• Who is Today’s Religious Traveler Consumer? How Can You Best Serve Them?
• How to Most Effectively Market and Sell to today’s Religious Travel Consumer.
• How Can You Find the Right Tour/Ground Operator for Your Religious Travel Program—and Why is it Key to Your Success?
• Discover the Holy Land and Enrich Your Biblical Lands Portfolio.
• Develop a Winning and Diverse Portfolio to the World’s Most Visited Religious Sites.
• Discover Faith-based Vacations, Attractions, & Events—Right Here in North America.
• Enrich Your Religious Travel Program with New Faith-based Vacations: Cruises, Volunteer Vacations, Local Getaways, Attractions and Much More.
• Open Forum: Q&A with Biblical Lands Representatives.
• Open Forum: Q&A Plus Discover New Ideas for Your Religious Travel Program.
• Open Forum: Q&A with International Ground Operators for Your Religious Travel Program.

In addition, two prominent published authors, Keith Powell and Greg Stielstra, will host the following business and educational seminars at Expo 2010:

• Igniting the Creative Spark for Your Faith Based Business—Keith Powell, The Business Revivalist and Author of The Transforming Power of Achievement
• Discover the Principles of PyroMarketing—Greg Stielstra, Author of Pyromarketing and Faith-based Marketing

The World Religious Travel Expo is the world’s pre-eminent faith tourism marketplace gathering with more than 500 travel professionals and tourism organizations from over 30 countries in attendance. This November’s Expo will be held in conjunction with the NTA Convention for the second year, providing a combined gathering of 2,000-plus travel professionals and tourism organizations. Through this collaboration with NTA, the leading association for travel professionals, both associations can offer its members opportunities for education, business expansion, networking and access to new markets.

For more information about attending the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888.255.WRTA (9782) or +1.859.219.3529 or by e-mail at headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about the WRTA Expo, visit http://www.wrtaexpo.com/

New Webinar! Discover Switzerland for Your Faith-based Groups & Clients

2010-09-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

Did you know Switzerland is recognized as one of the great European destinations for religious groups and travelers? Monasteries, saints, reformers, cathedrals and the like comprise the remarkable events, peoples, history, and places of Switzerland. In this fascinating and engaging webnar, discover what Switzerland can off your faith-based community or clients. Learn key tips, hints and other invaluable information for designing a winning and memorable itinerary—plus much more! Your Webinar host is Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president, and your Webinar guest expert is Mirko (Mike) Capodanno of Switzerland Tourism.

Visit the homepage of WRTA (www.WRTAreligioustravel.com) to view the newly released Switzerland Webinar.

Catering for Religious Tourism (The National UAE)

2010-09-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

By Rebecca Bundhun
Read full article at http://www.dp-news.com/pages/detail.aspx?l=2&articleId=54087

In the past, pilgrimages lacked the trappings of luxurious trips, with travellers organising their own arrangements. But that is rapidly changing.  “Only now is the global travel industry beginning to recognise the tremendous impact and opportunity of assisting and servicing the millions of people who travel to the Middle East for religious purposes,” says Kevin Wright, the president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA).

About 300 million religious tourists travel annually. Apart from Muslim pilgrimages, millions of visitors travel regularly to religious sites in France, Italy and India.   “This has resulted in more major tour operators, hotels and other suppliers entering the marketplace than ever before,” says Mr Wright.  To capitalise on the demand for religious trips to Saudi Arabia, there are now scores of tour operators all over the world that specialise in selling packages for the Haj and Umrah.

Read the rest of the article at:
http://www.dp-news.com/pages/detail.aspx?l=2&articleId=54087

First 25 Travel Agents to Register for World Religious Travel Expo Receive Free Fam Tour of Quebec’s Shrines

2010-09-10T05:10:00.000-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky.– The first 25 travel agents to register for World Religious Travel Expo 2010 will qualify for a complimentary VIP Fam tour of Quebec’s famed shrines and religious sites. Escorted by WRTA President and The Christian Travel Planner author Kevin J. Wright, the Fam tour is valued at $500 and includes motorcoach transportation, local tourist guides, one-night lodging, meals and educational materials about the Canadian sanctuaries.

The Fam trip departs Montréal on the morning of November 16, the day following the Expo Final Night Dinner, and concludes at Montréal’s Trudeau International Airport Wed., Nov. 17, at 1 p.m. The province of Québec is home to four of Canada’s five National Sanctuaries:

· Oratoire Saint-Joseph (Montréal)
· Notre-Dame-du-Cap Sanctuary (Mauricie)
· Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Basilica (Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré)
· Ermitage Saint-Antoine (Lac-Bouchette)

In addition, tour participants will enjoy an excursion to the spectacular Saguenay/Lac-Saint-Jean area and its breathtaking fjord. Agents who partake in the FAM trip will not only discover the celebrated shrines of Québec, but will also learn how to develop an itinerary around them and sell the travel package to clients.

For more information about attending the World Religious Travel Expo and qualifying for the post-Fam tour, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888.255.WRTA (9782) or +1.859.219.3529 or by e-mail at headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about the WRTA Expo, visit www.WRTAexpo.com .

The World Religious Travel Expo is the world’s pre-eminent faith tourism marketplace gathering with more than 500 travel professionals and tourism organizations from over 30 countries in attendance. This November’s Expo will be held in conjunction with the NTA Convention for the second year, providing a combined gathering of 2,000-plus travel professionals and tourism organizations. Through this collaboration with NTA, the leading association for travel professionals, both associations can offer its members opportunities for education, business expansion, networking and access to new markets.

Israel names new North American Tourism Commissioner

2010-09-10T05:06:00.000-07:00

Article link: http://www.travelpress.com/PHP/news.php?sid=11726

Haim Gutin has been appointed Israel Tourism Commissioner for North and South America, taking over from Arie Sommer who returns to Jerusalem at the completion of his second term in the post. Prior to his posting to New York, Gutin was the Israel Ministry of Tourism’s senior deputy director-general for Human Resources and Logistics, based in Jerusalem. During his tenure in Jerusalem at the headquarters of the Israel Ministry of Tourism, Gutin served in a variety of posts including director of the marketing administration’s European department; supervisor of the domestic tourism promotion and marketing department and supervisor for the Jerusalem District’s Tourism Product Department.

Turkish show on Akhtamar

2010-09-04T16:18:00.000-07:00

Full story at http://news.am/eng/print/28727.html
August 25, 2010 10:22
By Artur Hakobyan

The world economic crisis affected the world tourist industry, without, however, affecting faith tourism. In this context, Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Ertuğrul Günay seeks to promote faith tourism, particularly on Akhtamar Island, Lake Van, reported Vatan.

According to the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), faith tourism is most rapidly developing throughout the world. Every fourth tourist prefers faith tourism.

In January-June, 2010, 4.5% of the tourists that visited Turkey preferred faith tourism. The Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans to increase the number of faith tourists up to 3m. Minister Ertuğrul Günay has always attached importance to faith tourism development, pointing out that faith tourists normally spend much more than those preferring seaside holiday.

Read full story at link above.

Travel Ministry Conference Comes to Montreal & World Religious Travel Expo

2010-08-10T08:52:00.001-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 3, 2010) – The World Religious Travel Association has announced it will bring its popular Travel Ministry Conference concept to this fall’s World Religious Travel Expo in Montreal, Quebec (Canada). As part of its declaration of 2010 as the “Year of Travel Ministry,” WRTA recently debuted these half-day gatherings to educate local pastors, ministry leaders and group planners on how to build a successful travel program at their respective faith communities.

Thanks to the popularity of the Travel Ministry Conferences, WRTA will now integrate the event into the World Religious Travel Expo, and it’s scheduled for Monday, Nov. 15.

“Several years ago I wrote in one of my guidebooks how every faith community should have a travel program. I discussed the many wonderful fruits and benefits that travel brings about among members - especially the experience of fellowship,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “It’s for reasons such as these, I am elated with WRTA’s recent successful launch of our Travel Ministry Conferences. These events bring us one step closer to realizing the goal of every faith community having a travel program. And now thanks to the Expo, we’re bringing this gathering to Montreal and the surrounding region.”

WRTA’s Travel Ministry Conferences offer educational seminars, networking opportunities, shared meals, and a group activity workshop. In Montreal, the Travel Ministry Conference will be integrated into the final day of the World Religious Travel Expo. This will give Travel Ministry Conference attendees access to the WRTA Expo tradeshow floor featuring destinations, travel suppliers and tour operators from around the world.

In the meantime, the kudos continue to stream in from attendees of WRTA’s recent Travel Ministry Conferences:

"Thanks again for the opportunity to be a part of the WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Nashville. The event was a wonderful experience and I enjoyed the fellowship! As a pastor who's planned and led church groups to 50 states and 14 countries for 30-plus years, I am very excited and passionate about all aspects of Travel Ministry. Keep up the good work! It's definitely making a difference."
- Roger McCurry, Pastor Activities & Senior Adults

"WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago was a valuable tool providing insight for both the planner and suppliers on the challenges and benefits of creating a travel program. The opportunity to work directly with the planners as they learn how to develop a tour was invaluable. I made wonderful contacts that I know will turn into bookings."
- Jean Flynn
Group Sales Manager Fireside Dinner Theatre

“It was truly a pleasure attending the very well executed WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago. The presentations were concise and the format creative. The Conference opened up a new world of travel groups for me.”
- Faith Mulvihill
Director of Sales and Events Skydeck Chicago

This fall’s World Religious Travel Expo will be held in conjunction again with the NTA Convention, making for a combined gathering of 2,000-plus travel professionals and tourism organizations. Through this collaboration with NTA, the leading association for travel professionals, both associations can offer its members unprecedented opportunities for education, business expansion, networking, and new market opportunities.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888-255-WRTA (9782) or +1-859-219-3529 or by email headquarters at WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about WRTA and the Expo, visit the WRTA and Expo websites respectively.

2010-2011 Religious Travel Buyer's Guide Just Published

2010-08-09T09:30:00.000-07:00

The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has just published its 2010-2011 RELIGIOUS TRAVEL BUYER'S GUIDE. The publication is the industry’s preeminent guide to the religious travel and hospitality marketplace (a $49 value).

How will the Buyer’s Guide help you?
Discover new ideas and opportunities for enriching your faith tourism and hospitality travel program, while also finding suppliers, products, and services in faith tourism.

What types of faith-based travel services can you learn about in the Buyer's Guide?
Pilgrimages, conferences, events, cruising, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, adventure, safaris, attractions, shrines and holy sites, leisure vacations, insurance, transportation, lodging, restaurants, retailers, destinations, and much more!

What type of travel providers can you find in the Buyer’s Guide?
Tour operators, travel agents, travel wholesalers, destinations and supplier members of WRTA—all of whom are involved in religious travel and hospitality. Our publication is easy to use, giving you quick e-links to web sites and emails, making it convenient for you to contact these distinguished travel providers.

How can you obtain your FREE (digital) copy of the Buyer's Guide?
Just click here http://bit.ly/WRTABuyersGuide2010-2011

How can your organization be featured in future editions of the Buyer's Guide?
Call 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters at WRTAreligioustravel.com.

Whether you are a religious leader who would like to learn more about developing a travel ministry program and how faith based travel can deepen spiritual growth, a travel agent looking for inspiring new travel product to offer your religious market segment or a supplier or destination who caters to the religious travel traveler, WRTA is your connection to growth and development in the religious travel industry.

I invite you to take full advantage of the resource you’ve been given through the Buyers Guide and I encourage you to consider membership in WRTA and/or attending the upcoming World Religious Travel Expo 2010, being held November 13-16 in Montreal, Quebec.

To learn how you can become more involved in WRTA or register for the Expo, please contact us via phone 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters at WRTAreligioustravel.com.

Best wishes to you in 2010 and 2011.
Kevin J. Wright
WRTA President

Expo Buzz Newsletter Aug 5, 2010

2010-08-09T07:49:00.001-07:00

WRTA's Expo Buzz

Greg Stielstra is Back to Ignite Your Marketing Fire
The highly-rated speaker from Expo 2009 and author of PyroMarketing, Greg Stielstra, has just signed on for Expo 2010! He will be the keynote speaker during the Sunday luncheon.

Greg is excited and honored to be coming back to speak at Expo and see everyone again. Be sure to watch for our formal press release to the industry regarding this special announcement. In the meantime, want to learn more about Greg Stielstra and his topics of Faith-based Marketing and PyroMarketing – including his books? Visit Greg’s website: http://www.pyromarketing.com/

Buyers: Explore Mauricie & Québec City
on WRTA's Dime
The first registered 25 buyers to contact us will receive the $500 post-Fam tour of the Montréal area at no cost! The tour departs Montréal Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8 a.m. with an overnight in Québec City. The tour concludes at Montréal’s Trudeau Int’l Airport Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. To register or read more about the post-Fam, visit the Expo Web site: http://www.wrtaexpo.com/

Just Announced!
Travel Ministry Conference Coming to Montréal
Based on the tremendous response of attendees at our new Travel Ministry Conferences, WRTA is elated to announce the new addition of our Travel Ministry Conferences to our Expo in Montréal. Travel Ministry Conferences are smaller, more intimate gatherings designed specifically for pastors, religious/ministry leaders, and other group planners. More details to come soon. Stay tuned!

For $ 5,000, you can become an official co-sponsor of the Montréal Travel Ministry Conference, along side Palestine. This sponsorship includes 5 minutes of promotional time and the opportunity to distribute marking materials at the event. This sponsorship also qualifies you for Silver Level Expo benefits: two Expo registrations, premium 10x10 exhibit space, recognition as an official WRTA sponsor, sponsor signage, sponsor listing on Expo Web site, sponsor icon with listing in Expo Program (part of the NTA Convention Catalog – giving you additional exposure to the 1800 NTA delegates), participation in e-mail blast to WRTA members and Expo delegates and sponsor ribbon with badge.

Due to limited availability, this offer won’t be on the market for long. Call +1.859.226.4402 or email sales@WRTAstaff.com today to reserve your spot!

WRTA Expo
Nov. 13 -16, 2010
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montréal, Québec, Canada

Faith Tourism Product Seminar to be Featured at THETRADESHOW

2010-07-22T20:15:00.000-07:00

For Immediate Release

THETRADESHOW Spotlights Travel Product Seminars

Alexandria, Va., July 22, 2010 – THETRADESHOW (Orlando, Sept. 12-14) partners are pleased to announce the event’s newest presentation pavilion sponsors and product seminars. These sessions will provide an opportunity for travel agents to further their knowledge about the latest offerings from some of the most popular travel suppliers, as well as showcase the islands of Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.

“Product seminars and sessions carried out in the presentation pavilions provide travel agents a wonderful opportunity to keep up on the latest from some of the industry’s top suppliers, destinations and trends,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a partner of THETRADESHOW. “Those who take advantage will have a definite edge when it comes to planning the ideal trip for their clients.”

Presentation Pavilions
• How to Be Successful in Today’s Religious Marketplace as a Travel Provider. Brought to you by the World Religious Travel Association. Presented By Kevin J. Wright. In 20 minutes, travel agents who attend this session will receive the all-important “10 keys to success” in the religious marketplace from the industry’s top faith-based travel educator and four-time published author: Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. This seminar will provide agents: an opportunity to learn about the new era of today’s faith-based customer; concrete ideas on how to enter or expand their religious travel business; and an enriched vision, mission and strategy for accomplishing their agency goals.

THETRADESHOW (Travel Retailing and Destination Expo) is a 3-day, in-depth networking and educational event. Global and inclusive, THETRADESHOW unites under one roof travel suppliers and buyers from all over the world, representing every segment of the travel and tourism industry. It is the trade show event for travel decision makers. For more information on THETRADESHOW, please call visit THETRADESHOW.org.

Contact: Kristina Rundquist/Laura Gajewski 703.739.8710
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Register today for next week's NASHVILLE Travel Ministry Conference

2010-06-30T12:33:00.001-07:00

WRTA's Travel Ministry Conference--Nashville

Pastor and Religious Leaders, please join the World Religious Travel Association on July 8 at the Scarritt Bennett Center for the Nashville's Travel Ministry Conference. Led by WRTA President and Christian Travel Planner author Kevin J. Wright, participate in an interactive workshop and education session on building a travel ministry program.

You’ll learn how faith-based travel deepens spiritual growth and development while offering opportunities for fellowship and fun.

Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy of Kevin’s book, The Christian Travel Planner, to help you get started.

Thursday, July 8, 2010
Downtown Nashville COMPLIMENTARY PARKING • GARDEN ADMISSION INCLUDED

Religious Leaders = $0
(If you sign up before July 6 !) (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)

<< More information here. >>

Additional Speakers
Pastor Roger McCurry (Activities & S.A. Pastor, Severns Valley Baptist Church in Kentucky)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)

Sponsors & Partners
Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
Leisure Group Travel

Exhibitors
Anchor Trailways & Tours
Faithful Holidays
Grueninger Tours
Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau
Trailways Transportation Systems

“It was truly a pleasure attending the very well executed WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago. The presentations were concise and the format creative. The Conference opened up a new world of travel groups for me.”
- Faith Mulvihill, Skydeck Chicago

We hope you’ll join us to explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your congregation, including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more.

Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.

Interview at Chicago Travel Ministry Conference

2010-06-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

World Religious Travel Association Chicago Conference
By Leisure Group Travel http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com/faith-based-attraction/religious-travel-conference/
June 21, 2010 by Nadia Beidas
Filed under Faith-Based Attraction

Article link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcy8_3oY1kY&feature=player_embedded

The World Religious Travel Association Ministry Conference in Chicago is the first of five travel ministry conferences. Religious leaders, faith-based travel planners and other members of the religious travel community met at the Field Museum and discussed ways to build an effective travel ministry program.

Kevin Wright, founder and president of WRTA, outlined travel ministries and the reasons religious travel groups choose to put together a travel program, such as deepening their faith in God, fulfilling a religious tradition and learning more about their heritage and faith. Wright discussed the steps of starting a travel program, including getting the religious leader’s approval, naming the travel program, finding volunteers to assist in the process and promoting the program.

Torre Ossmo, vice president and general manager of Faithful Holidays, mentioned a seven-step plan to enter or promote a religious group’s part in religious tourism. These steps include researching the market, meeting the needs of the religious traveler and promoting the brand. Rev. Ruth Newell, founder and pastor of Beyond the Walls Outreach Ministry, emphasized the importance of meeting the needs of different generations for religious trips.

During the workshop of how to build an effective travel ministry program, conference participants broke into smaller groups and each group planned a sample religious trip. The next conference will be held in Nashville.

First-ever WRTA Travel Ministry Conference to be held this Thursday in Chicago (June 17)

2010-06-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

Time is running out to register for this Thursday's (June 17) Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago. Here's the info about it and to register/sign-up:

http://bit.ly/TravelMinistryConferenceChicago
http://www.travelministryconference.com/

Free Copy of The Christian Travel Planner for June 17 Travel Ministry Conference Attendees

2010-06-08T15:02:00.000-07:00

Attention: Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Faith-based Travelers!

Join fellow pastors, religious leaders, travel agents and other faith community members at WRTA’s Travel Ministry Conference where you can discover how to build an effective travel ministry program.

When? Thursday, June 17, 2010
Where? Downtown Chicago (Parking and Museum Admission Included!)

SPEAKERS
Chicago's Rev. Ruth Newell (Chaplain, C-Beyond the Walls Outreach Ministry)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)
Kevin J. Wright (WRTA President and author of The Christian Travel Planner)
Cindi Brodhecker (President, Faith Travel Development & Consulting)Frank Scerri (Owner & Managing Director, Mission Travel Group of Australia)

Why Sign Up in Advance? Pre-registrants receive FREE copy of The Christian Travel Planner.

Best Yet! Cost for religious leaders or their representatives is FREE if you sign up before June 15! Just use promo code: Planner-M10

Day-of Admission = $20 (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)

<< More information here. >>

Explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your business including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more. Plus, meet with tourism and travel providers specializing in faith-based travel, including The Christian Travel Planner author, Kevin J. Wright. Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy.

Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/ to register. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at members@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.

World Religious Travel Association
2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325 Lexington, KY 40504
888.255.9782 ext. 101 or +1.859.219.3529
headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com
http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/

Pope in Cyprus for the First Time

2010-06-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

From Cyprus Tourism Organization
http://www.visitcyprus.com/

Pope in Cyprus for the first time

Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cyprus today on a three-day "pilgrimage" trip.

The pontiff, who said he was following in the footsteps of the apostles
Paul and Barnabas, said the island was blessed by a "resilient Christian
heritage" and saluted the head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop
Chrysostomos II, as his "brother".

The Pope was greeted in the southwestern resort of Paphos by Chrysostomos
and by President Demetris Christofias, who said: "Cyprus is in need of your
words of peace, given the difficult situation the island is facing."
Turkish troops have been stationed in the breakaway north of the island since a
1974 invasion in reaction to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking to unite the
island with Greece.

"Allow me to say that Cyprus is in need of your prayers and your
contribution in order to quickly regain its unity and freedom," the president added.

The 83-year-old pontiff made an oblique reference to the division, which
continues after decades of fruitless UN-sponsored talks. "May the love of
your families and the desire to live in harmony with your neighbours" under
God's protection "inspire you patiently to resolve the remaining concerns
that you share with the international community for the future of your
island," he said.

Benedict is the first pope to visit Cyprus, and this is his first trip to
an Orthodox country. His first stop after leaving the Paphos airport was
the nearby ancient church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa and St Paul's
Pillar, where he was to take part in an "ecumenical celebration" with
Chrysostomos, who has called on people to welcome him.

He also has an official mission to hand over to Catholic prelates who have
come to Cyprus from the Middle East a working document for a synod on
regional issues to be held in October.

The pope will spend Saturday and Sunday in the capital Nicosia, where he
will celebrate two masses.

For more information please contact our office.

Tasoula Manaridis, Director
Cyprus Tourism Organization
Tel: (212) 683-5280
http://www.visitcyprus.com/

WRTA Proclaims 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry

2010-05-16T12:22:00.001-07:00

The World Religious Travel Association to host Travel Ministry Conferences in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego.

LEXINGTON, KY. – The World Religious Travel Association has designated 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry. Serving as a year-long campaign promoting the benefits of travel direct to faith-based communities and individuals, the purpose and goal of the new theme is three-fold: (1) Encourage people to integrate travel with their faith. (2) Assist faith communities in developing travel programs. (3) Promote and increase awareness of the many faith-based vacation opportunities available.

To kickoff the celebrations, WRTA has announced the hosting of five Travel Ministry Conferences across the United States throughout the summer in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego. Each half-day event is designed for religious leaders as well as group travel planners and individual travelers to learn and discover how to build (or enrich) a travel program at their respective faith community. This year’s theme and focus follows on the heels of WRTA’s 2009 declaration as The Year of Faith Tourism.

“Of the many wonderful initiatives we’ve put into place here at WRTA, we are especially excited about our travel ministry conferences,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “For several years both the travel trade and faith-based communities have been asking us to host such events. With our new announcement, we’ll be making a lot of people joyful in 2010 and we expect these new conferences to be both very successful, as well as the start of a new era for WRTA’s regional activities.”

The Travel Ministry Conferences also provide an excellent venue for travel providers and tourism organizations to meet and interact with attendees, religious leaders and travelers. Members of the travel trade can attend, exhibit at, or sponsor any or all of the conferences.

For more information about the Travel Ministry Conferences visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com. For faith-based communities, organizations and individuals interested in attending and participating in the Travel Ministry Conferences, contact WRTA staff at 859.219.3529 or 888.255.WRTA, ext. 101.

For travel trade companies and professionals interested in attending, exhibiting at, or sponsoring the Travel Ministry Conference events, contact Kami Risk.

Bethany Beyond the Jordan Reclaims Spot on Holy Land Pilgrim Map

2010-05-02T14:25:00.001-07:00

BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN RECLAIMS SPOT ON HOLY LAND PILGRIM MAP
Jordan attracts 24% more U.S. visitors to Baptism Site in First Quarter 2010;
Tour Companies Say Numbers Mark Turning Point in Faith-Based Travel to Jordan

McLEAN, Va. (April 27, 2010) – The rustic, eco-protected settlement on the eastern banks of the Jordan River known as “Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan” – where the Bible says Jesus came to be baptized by his cousin John – is fast becoming a must-see destination for faith-based travelers and general tourists alike to the Holy Land. In 2010, 24% more American tourists visited the baptism site during January-March than during the same period last year, and travel suppliers are reporting increased interest and demand for the site from Christian travel planners and consumers.

“We have worked hand in hand with our suppliers to promote this unique location and educate religious travel planners about how to build it into all of their Holy Land travel programs,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America. “Now that the site is fully open and travelers have easy access, it is only natural that this authentic location is once again returning to its place of prominence on the Holy Land map.”

Asfour views faith-based travel as one of the primary niches for Jordan tourism. She has been working since 1997 to promote the destination of Jordan to the North American travel market, and decided early on that Jordan needed a re-branding in the religious sector in order to educate and re-introduce the kingdom’s biblical sites and experiences to prospective travelers. With Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan at number one on the list of must-see biblical locations in Jordan, the rising tide of visitors to the site should lift faith-based travel to other parts of Jordan.

“It’s a case of what was old is new again,” said Christine Moore, founder of Epiphany Media, who has spent a decade representing the Jordan Tourism Board to the religious community in North America. “More Americans are simply returning to the original pilgrim route taken by the early Christians, who would visit the place of baptism between their journeys to Mount Nebo and Jerusalem. Today, faith-based travelers can have the same authentic experience that the original pilgrims had, and also enjoy adventures and experiences at Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and so many other locations in Jordan.”

The authenticity, simplicity and eco-protected nature of the site means it is here to stay on the pilgrim map. And more and more faith-based travel suppliers are recognizing that the practice of taking Christian groups to other locations on the Jordan River does not hold the same meaning for their clients as visiting the special area where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized his cousin.

Nick Mancino, president of Group IST, who operates Regina Tours for the Catholic market and Journeys Unlimited for the Protestant market, said he has experienced increased demand across the board for the Baptism Site. And Rick Ricart, president of Imagine Tours & Travel, whose father promoted Jordan as a religious travel destination as far back as the 1970’s, said he has had one of his busiest seasons ever for travel to Jordan. Ricart said the baptism site is becoming more popular among his clients, as word has spread about its excavations and accessibility.

“I used to feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness myself when trying to promote the baptism site or other holy places in Jordan,” said Ricart. “But we have prepared the way, and now more travel leaders are aware of the opportunities in Jordan, and want to give their groups a chance to experience Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan and other special places, as well as sample some of that famous Jordanian hospitality.”

Additional Information:

Church/Visitor Facilities
An area of 350,000 square miles of land has been set aside for the pilgrim village just outside the baptism site reserve, which has strict environmental protection bylaws.
Many Christian denominations have begun building new churches and facilities/guest houses nearby in a “pilgrim village” to facilitate modern pilgrims to what has been called the “Birthplace of Christianity.” Churches and facilities in existence or in the works include these traditions: Greek Orthodox; Anglican; Baptist; Catholic; Coptic and Russian Orthodox.
In March, 2009, Baptist World Alliance (BWA) officials, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed of Jordan joined officials from around the world to dedicate a new Baptism Center. “I think believers from many parts of the world who want to make a pilgrimage to the area where Jesus was baptized will certainly want to make their own pilgrimage here,” said BWA President David Coffey.
In May, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstones of two new Catholic churches being built with these words: “Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite, will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God.”
Rupert Murdoch’s youngest daughters were baptized at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan in March, 2010, but you don’t have to be famous to hold a ceremony at the baptism site – park officials welcome all church groups and other visitors interested in holding special ceremonies, such as baptisms or communion, and these are easily arranged through tour operators.

Park Oversight and Planning
The Baptism Site is a legally protected National Jordanian Park run by an independent board of trustees – the Baptism Site Commission – appointed personally by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan, who considers its maintenance an honor and a sacred trust for future generations of Jordanians and Christian pilgrims from all over the world. For more information, please visit https://nymail.imgworld.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=77137301287a4bdb8b5b0bccde5fcedd&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.baptismsite.com.
While several hundred thousand people visit the park each year, Baptism Site Commission officials expect to receive more than a million visitors a year once all churches and guest facilities are complete.
The baptism site is close to Amman and the Dead Sea resort and hotel area, which is served by several 4- and 5-star hotels. Planning is underway to build 3-star hotels on the northeastern shores of the Dead Sea.

Biblical Background:
Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan is part of the wilderness area associated with John the Baptist and also contains the traditional spot where the Bible says Elijah the prophet ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.
While Jordan is home to hundreds of biblical locations, some of the most pivotal biblical events occurred at these sites:
Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the land he would never enter and, according to the Bible, is buried nearby in an unknown location;
Mukawir, a mountaintop fortress not far from the Dead Sea where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded;
Tel Mar Elias, the birthplace of the prophet Elijah (also known as Elijah the Tishbite), located among the ancient Hills of Gilead;
Umm Qais, a Roman provincial town overlooking the Sea of Galilee where the miracle of the Gadarene swine took place;
Jabbok River, where Jacob wrested with “the Angel,” and his name was changed to Israel, meaning “He who wrestles with God.”

The Jordan Tourism Board North America is an independent, public-private partnership that works to brand, position and promote Jordan as a tourism destination. For more information, please visit our website at https://nymail.imgworld.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=77137301287a4bdb8b5b0bccde5fcedd&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.visitjordan.com.

Christine M. Moore
Epiphany Media
P.O. Box 1382
Frisco, TX 75034
Tel: 469-688-5683
Google Voice: 830-4INFO-76 (830-446-3676)
Email: christine@epiphanymedianet.com
Twitter: @epiphanymediapr

Next Week's IDE Religious Panel in Istanbul, Turkey

2010-04-12T13:06:00.000-07:00

Mark Your Calendar for the IDE Religious Panel

Join a panelists of leading tourism representatives discuss the world’s top religious and holy sites. Come to hear and meet Her Excellency, Dr. Khouloud Diabes, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities for Palestine at the religious tourism panel, “Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World’s Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and Holy Land” hosted by Kevin Wright of WRTA.

Join the panel on Tuesday, April 20, in room Dolmabache A at the following times:

Session 1: 8:30am – 10:30am
Session 2: 10:45am – 12:45pm

Media are invited to a media session with Dr. Diabes at 2:30pm on Tuesday, April 20 in room Dolmabache B.

Learn more about The Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities of Palestine by and visiting our Booth #F08 in the tradeshow floor. Read the full biography of Her Excellency, Dr. Khouloud Diabes.

For full program details visit www.asta.org/ide.

Modern Pilgrims: Refreshing in Mind, Body, and Soul

2010-03-29T11:12:00.000-07:00

The Liguorian
Cover story/Spring 2010 http://bit.ly/LiguorianPilgrimages

Modern Pilgrims: Refreshing in Mind, Body, and Soul
by Kevin J. Wright
Travel is ministry. Yes, you read that right: travel is ministry. And there is no clearer connection between travel and ministry than within the context of pilgrimage. The Catholic Church has understood this relationship for centuries and therefore has promoted the concept of and importance of embarking on pilgrimages since the time of Jesus Christ. But it didn’t begin there; Jews also understood the significance of sacred travel, and the Old Testament is replete with stories of pilgrimage. Today, in the twenty-first century, pilgrimages remain a vital ministry and mission of the Christian faith.

But what exactly is “travel ministry”? Let’s first take a look at the word ministry. Ministry is generally defined as the spreading of the Gospel through evangelization, catechesis, and/or fulfillment of the spiritual and physical needs of others. Ministry is the rendering of one’s services to God and people.

Read full story here: http://bit.ly/LiguorianPilgrimages

Discovering Biblical Armenia (Going on Faith)

2010-03-29T11:02:00.000-07:00

Going on Faith publication
Discovering Biblical Armenia
by Kevin J. Wright
Website link: http://www.goingonfaith.com/Article.aspx?id=123

Are you looking for that next destination to wow your members or clients? Are you looking for one that will generate unprecedented interest and enthusiasm among your group planners? And, are you looking for a destination that will make you a hero for discovering and recommending one of the most fascinating hidden gems of the faith-based travel industry? If so, then consider planning a tour to the biblical country of Armenia.

Read full story at Going on Faith http://www.goingonfaith.com/Article.aspx?id=123

Tourism Cares and NTA Give Back: Lear Theater in Reno

2010-03-25T10:38:00.001-07:00

Tourism Cares and NTA Give Back

NTA delegates help award a grant to Lear Theater in Reno

Canton, Mass. (March 24, 2010)- Tourism Cares, the non-profit dedicated to preserving the travel experience for the future, and NTA are pleased to award a $2,500 grant, raised by delegates during the NTA Gives Back program at last November’s Convention, to the historic Lear Theater in Reno, NV.

The white-columned Lear Theater (www.leartheater.org) is situated adjacent to downtown on the Truckee River, in an arts and culture district, near the casinos, in Reno, Nevada. It is housed in the building that was originally the First Church of Christ Scientist, which is listed on City, State and National Register’s of Historic Places. It was designed in the neoclassical style in 1938 by internationally-acclaimed architect, Paul Revere Williams. He was the first African-American member of the prestigious American Institute of Architects, and also the recipient of the NAACP’s highest award, the Springarn Medal. The building was named after Moya Lear, widow of Bill Lear, Jr., the famous aviation inventor (i.e. Lear jet), who was a member of the church and purchased the building to transform it into a theatre.

“NTA Convention delegates wanted to leave a legacy to the city that hosted them,” said NTA President Lisa Simon, CTP. “We couldn’t think of a better way than to give a Tourism Cares grant to a site that represents the rebirth of the arts and culture of a bygone era.”

The Tourism Cares – NTA Special Grant will support the historic renovation of this important piece of the city’s history. Although the site is not open yet, once renovations are completed, the Lear Theater is expected to serve as a catalyst for the theater district in downtown Reno, attracting large numbers of tourists and locals alike to this venue.

“There are dozens of arts agencies and local schools that are anxiously awaiting the opening of the Lear”, said Cathy Blankenship, Chief Operating Officer for the Lear Theater. “It will provide a much needed arts performance venue and enhance the growing Arts District in downtown Reno. The grant from NTA and Tourism Cares will expedite our restoration efforts to bring this historical gem back to its original grandeur”.

This Special Grant was made possible by donations from NTA delegates during the November 2009 NTA Annual Convention in Reno as part of the NTA Gives Back Program, and the funds raised were matched by NTA.

Tourism Cares is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by giving grants to cultural, historic, and natural sites worldwide: by awarding academic, professional development, and service-learning scholarships to students of travel , tourism, and hospitality; and by organizing volunteer restoration events at tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information on Tourism Cares, please visit www.tourismcares.org.

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Tourism Cares Rolls up Sleeves for San Francisco Bay

2010-03-25T10:30:00.001-07:00

Hundreds of Volunteers Headed for Angel Island To Help Cash-Strapped State Park

Tourism Cares Rolls up Sleeves for San Francisco Bay

Canton, Mass. (March 24, 2010)- Tourism Cares, the premier charity in the travel industry dedicated to preserving the travel experience, is targeting Angel Island State Park for a massive, work-day volunteer event. Hundreds of volunteers will gather together on June 4 on Angel Island to roll up their sleeves and come to the assistance of California State Parks, a system hit hard in recent years by a sagging economy and budget shortfalls.

Angel Island, in the midst of the San Francisco Bay, is one of California’s most iconic tourism sites. It has been selected for the eighth annual Tourism Cares for America volunteer event. This important California State Park, which has been hit by budget shortages, will benefit greatly from this public-private partnership from the travel industry by improving the condition of various recreational and historic areas across the island.

“This is the time when tourism destinations like Angel Island need us the most,” said Bruce Beckham, executive director, Tourism Cares. “Tough budget times are the best times for our people to step up and provide their substantial resources in manpower to help keep America’s tourism industry strong and support California’s economic recovery. It’s a gratifying event that makes a lasting impact.”

The Tourism Cares for America project typically brings together over 300 travel and tourism industry leaders from all over the United States, Canada and other destinations around the world to restore historic sites in need of care and rejuvenation. Annually, these volunteers will roll up their sleeves and work side by side with other travel professionals to make a lasting impact. In a single day, Tourism Cares for America will bring more than $50,000 worth of free labor, helping California State Park staff to accomplish tasks that would take years to complete. Registration is now open to members of the travel and tourism industry at www.tourismcares.org/tourism-cares-for-san-francisco-bay-2010.

Angel Island is a picturesque California State Park with magnificent views of the San Francisco skyline, Oakland, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. Its rich and diverse history dates back nearly 3,000 years, beginning as hunting and fishing grounds for the ancient Miwok Indians. Since then, it has served as a Civil War encampment, an immigration station for thousands of Chinese immigrants from 1910-1940, a discharge depot and recruitment center during WWI, an embarkation station and POW camp during WWII and a Nike missile base from 1955-1962. Today, the island is visited by thousands of people who go to experience its history and enjoy its recreational facilities.

Some of the largest and most prominent tourism associations such as: NTA, Student Youth Travel Association, US Travel Association, United States Tour Operators Association, San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau, and the California Travel & Tourism Commission have come forward as sponsors, as well as private corporations and individuals including: PIER 39, Amadeus, Marriott International, Wyndham, MaCher, Dan Dipert Tours, Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, Save America’s Treasures, Angel Island Company, Blue & Gold Fleet, MTR Western and Edelman.

Tourism Cares is a 501c(3) non-profit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic and service-learning scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, visit www.tourismcares.org.

WRTA Opens Registrations to World Religious Travel Expo 2010

2010-03-18T11:47:00.000-07:00

3rd Annual World Religious Travel Expo Provides New and Expanded Market Opportunities

WRTA opens exhibitor reservations to the industry’s largest religious tourism and hospitality tradeshow

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 18, 2010) – The World Religious Travel Association has opened exhibitor reservations for the 3rd Annual World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference. WRTA also unveiled the official theme of Expo 2010: Discover the World of Faith Tourism. The tradeshow will be held for the first time internationally in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, from November 13-16, 2010.

“The World Religious Travel Expo is the largest annual gathering of its kind in the industry, so I’m thrilled to open up this opportunity to travel companies, destinations, and suppliers eager to take part in this remarkable event,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “As we prepare to highlight the year in faith tourism, we’re expecting record attendance again at this fall’s tradeshow, especially with our second co-location with the annual NTA Convention. The Expo remains ‘the place to be’ for any organization or travel professional that wishes to buy, sell, and network in the religious marketplace.”

Faith-based travel and hospitality has evolved into a major market and pillar of the global travel industry. More than 300 million people each year embark on trips or events with their faith communities including pilgrimages, cruises, leisure vacations, conferences/events, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, adventure travel, safaris, and more. The World Religious Travel Expo attracts tour operators, tourist offices, convention and visitor bureaus, motorcoach companies, hotels, attractions, suppliers, media, travel agents, and other tourism companies/professionals from throughout North America and around the world.

“We are excited about the upcoming WRTA Expo in Montreal and very much look forward to it,” said Mirko Capodanno, Manager Central USA and Canada. “Switzerland Tourism and our partners will be participating for the third consecutive time and the Expo marks an important and key event for us. Not only will it be a platform to promote faith-based travel in Zurich, Lucerne and the Ticino, but we’ll also be able to highlight train travel in Switzerland and our new partnership with Sunstar Hotels. Plus, it’s always a great opportunity to meet with the religious travel industry which is vital for us and also a lot of fun – an opportunity not to be missed!”

For Expo 2010, WRTA is excited to welcome new sponsors such as the Italian Government Tourist Board, Palestinian Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities, Innsbruck Tourist Board, and Tourisme Montréal. As well as our returning sponsors Switzerland Tourism, Theatre Direct & Broadway.com/groups, and VisitRochester.

The World Religious Travel Association will host this fall’s Expo again in conjunction with the NTA Convention. Through this collaboration with NTA, the leading association for travel professionals, both associations can offer its members unprecedented opportunities for education, business expansion, networking, and new market opportunities. Last year’s WRTA Expo 2009 featured the theme “Make 2010 Year Best Year Ever” and the event’s Gold and Silver Sponsors included Reno-Tahoe, Theatre Direct & Broadway.com/groups, Globus family of brands, Switzerland Tourism, Jordan Tourism Board N.A., German National Tourist Office, Leipzig Tourism and Marketing Company, Routes to Luther, VisitBritain, VisitScotland, Canterbury Cathedral, VisitRochester, PhotoVision, Epiphany Media, LifeWay, and TBN Holy Land Experience.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/ or http://www.wrtaexpo.com/.

CIE Tours: St. Patrick's Trail

2010-03-18T11:31:00.000-07:00

CIE TOURS on St. Patrick's Day
http://www.cietours.ie/us/

Follow St. Patrick's Trail
Millions of people around the globe pay tribute to the Patron Saint of Ireland each year on the 17th March in unique displays of color, traditional Irish music, cuisine, song and dance. It's a fantastic time to visit Ireland and experience the excitement of the festival. Of particular interest is the St. Patrick's Trail. Delve into Northern Ireland's strong Saint Patrick connections with sites and attractions such as The Saul Church, The Saint Patrick Centre and Saint Patrick's Trian demonstrating the rich legacy he left behind waiting to be discovered. Year round events and exhibits make anytime of the year an ideal time to visit Northern Ireland's Saint's Patrick's County, Counties Down and Armagh, with their strong links to his heritage. Uncover more of Saint Patrick, Discover Northern Ireland.

Jericho stands out as Palestinian tourism magnet

2010-03-16T12:00:00.000-07:00

Jericho stands out as Palestinian tourism magnet
Arab News - Rachelle Kliger
Iyyad Hamdan, director of tourism and archeological sites in Jericho for the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism attributed the recent increase in Jericho's ...

Report from Jordan Travel Mart

2010-03-11T08:42:00.000-08:00

Travel Agent Central
Read full story at http://www.travelagentcentral.com/jordan/report-jordan-travel-mart

For a few balmy, sun-filled days in late February, the third annual Jordan Travel Mart (JTM) convened on the shores of the Dead Sea. Bringing together government officials, Jordanian suppliers, and travel professionals and journalists from North and South America, the event showcased Jordan’s touristic riches. Moreover, the trade show was an optimistic affirmation of the country’s promotional strategy. While the global economic crisis humbled the travel industry in 2009, Jordan showed remarkable resilience, with a 1.6 percent increase in overnight visitors. “We can’t help but be cautiously optimistic about 2010,” declared Nayef Al-Fayez, managing director of the Jordan Tourism Board, at the opening breakfast.

Since we first attended the JTM in 2008, we’ve witnessed the successful strategy of the Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA) in marketing the country as a stand-alone destination in niche markets: religious/faith, history/culture, eco/nature, leisure/wellness, adventure, and voluntourism. Emphasizing Jordan’s year-round moderate climate and the diversity of its product, the JTBNA strives to increase the length of stay of American visitors. A major part of the economy (13 percent of GDP), tourism is the second foreign-currency earner after migrant work remittances, and the U.S. travel market is second only to the Arab region.

WRTA PROCLAIMS 2010 THE YEAR OF TRAVEL MINISTRY

2010-03-09T08:25:00.001-08:00

WRTA PROCLAIMS 2010 THE YEAR OF TRAVEL MINISTRY

The World Religious Travel Association to host Travel Ministry Conferences in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Diego

LEXINGTON, Ky. (March 4, 2010) – The World Religious Travel Association has designated 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry. Serving as a year-long campaign promoting the benefits of travel direct to faith-based communities and individuals, the purpose and goal of the new theme is three-fold: (1) Encourage people to integrate travel with their faith. (2) Assist faith communities in developing travel programs. (3) Promote and increase awareness of the many faith-based vacation opportunities available.

To kickoff the celebrations, WRTA has announced the hosting of five Travel Ministry Conferences across the United States throughout the summer in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Diego. Each half-day event is designed for religious leaders as well as group travel planners and individual travelers to learn and discover how to build (or enrich) a travel program at their respective faith community. This year’s theme and focus follows on the heels of WRTA’s 2009 declaration as The Year of Faith Tourism.

“Of the many wonderful initiatives we’ve put into place here at WRTA, we are especially excited about our Travel Ministry Conferences,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “For several years both the travel trade and faith-based communities have been asking us to host such events. With our new announcement, we’ll be making a lot of people joyful in 2010 and we expect these new conferences to be both very successful, as well as the start of a new era for WRTA’s regional activities.”

The Travel Ministry Conferences also provide an excellent venue for travel providers and tourism organizations to meet and interact with attendees, religious leaders, and travelers. Members of the travel trade can attend, exhibit at, or sponsor any or all of the Travel Ministry Conferences.

For more information about the Travel Ministry Conferences visit https://nymail.imgworld.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=bfe31953613b4b8b82c68ac1db947630&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.wrtareligioustravel.com%2f. For faith-based communities, organizations and individuals interested in attending and participating in the Travel Ministry Conferences, contact WRTA staff.

Pilgrimage Opportunities Abound in 2010

2010-03-09T08:15:00.000-08:00

Pilgrimage opportunities abound in 2010
By Tim PuetCatholic Times
March 7, 2010

Read full story at http://www.colsdioc.org/Offices/TheCatholicTimes/pilgrimageoverview2010.aspx

The year 2010 should be one of the best ever for Catholic travelers, first-timers and veterans alike, who are looking for opportunities to take part in activities which are related to the Faith and don’t occur very often.

“This is a year for many big events that will attract pilgrims from around the world,” said Kevin Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a Lexington, Ky.-based organization (http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/) which assists the $18 billion faith tourism industry by providing networking, educational, job market, and vacation opportunities for the travel trade and consumers.

“The Oberammergau Passion Play will be returning for its once-a-decade performances, the Shroud of Turin will be unveiled in Italy, it’s a Holy Year at Santiago de Compostela in Spain, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites, and the continuing Year of the Priest celebration is bringing large numbers of pilgrims to Ars,” the small town in France that was the home of St. John Vianney, declared as the universal patron of priests by Pope Benedict XVI.

Read full story at http://www.colsdioc.org/Offices/TheCatholicTimes/pilgrimageoverview2010.aspx

Cyprus and Palestinian Authority sign Memorandum of Cooperation in tourism

2010-03-09T08:09:00.000-08:00

Memorandum of Cooperation in the sector of tourism between Cyprus and the Palestinian Authority was signed on Friday after official talks in Nicosia between Minister of Commerce, Industry and Tourism Antonis Paschalides and Palestinian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Kholoud Daibes.

Article link: http://www.financialmirror.com/News/Business_and_Finance/19587
March 01, 2010

Speaking after the talks, Paschalides said that through the Memorandum Cyprus will be providing support to the Palestinians in tourism issues, and would be including the Palestinian Authority in exhibitions.

The two Ministers exchanged views on issues concerning the promotion and support of tourism in the Palestinian territories. Paschalides noted that in 2011 Cyprus would be offering various scholarships in tourism related courses.

Daibes referred to the strong ties between the two peoples, adding that Cyprus and the Palestinian territories are unique tourist destinations, especially concerning religious tourism.

She added that Friday's talks also included the exchange of expertise, investments, cooperation between businesspeople of the private sector, and mutual support on all levels.

Lifetree Adventures Announces Ecuador Mission Trip

2010-03-09T07:58:00.000-08:00

Lifetree Adventures Announces Ecuador Mission Trip
BigNews.biz (press release)

Loveland, CO March 5, 2010- Imagine a mother who doesn’t have enough food to put on the table each night. The painful dilemma of either working to support her family or caring for her children is a choice she has to make every day. And even if she chooses to work, she can just barely get by. This is the situation for many parents in Ecuador.

Lifetree Adventures, along with its local partner organization, reaches out to impoverished families and orphans by providing daycare and feeding programs that serve the many kids who come to our partner’s facility each day during our mission trips. More than just food or shelter for the day, the extension of compassion gives new hope and encouragement to the thousands of people who live near the facility. You’ll be humbled by their gratitude for the simplest of life’s necessities, while being transformed yourself by a greater appreciation of all you have back home.

Another dimension of the Ecuador mission trip is working with small business owners who are utilizing micro-economic resources to improve their standard of living, support their families and create jobs in the region. A little bit goes a long way here as these small-scale entrepreneurs bring economic vitality to their towns and villages. This effort includes helping these local entrepreneurs as well as pastors-in-training improve their English language skills through nighttime classes. Your impact here will be felt for generations to come.

Ecuador Mission Trip Itinerary:

DAY 1 Arrive in Quito and transfer to your hotel

DAY 2 City tour of colonial Quito, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site. Visit the Mitad del Mundo (0º latitude) and stand on both hemispheres

DAY 3 Today begins your time of service. Help with a multitude of needs from home visits, to light repairs and assisting with the ministry’s micro-business program.

DAY 4 Service with home visits, light repairs and micro-business program

DAY 5 Service this morning will take place at the City Dump daycare. Then spend your afternoon at the Teleférico, and ride an aerial tramway ride up the side of the volcano.

DAY 6-7 Service with home visits, light repairs and micro-business program

DAY 8 Depart for a real hacienda in the Andes Mountains. Ride horseback above tree line and take part in a hike/zip-line adventure in the mountain jungle to finish out your time in Ecuador. Enjoy a final dinner tonight with new friends.

DAY 9 Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

This Ecuador Christian mission will be offered August 7-15 at a cost of $1595 per person. For more information, or to reserve a spot on the new Ecuador mission trip, travel agents and travelers can go to http://www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 800-747-2157 Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00p.m.MST.

Lifetree Adventures is a new division of Group Cares™ (formerly known as Group Workcamps Foundation), a leading non-profit mission organization offering Christian travel for youth and adults for over 30 years. Lifetree Adventures offers Christian travel options to Alaska, New Orleans, Navajo Nation, Dominican Republic, Kenya, South Africa, Thailand, Peru, Israel, Egypt, Mazatlan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Fiji and Vanuatu. Through Group Cares™ over 250,000 volunteers have provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer service to projects in hundreds of U.S. and international locations.www.lifetreeadventures.com

Special Invitation to Discover Turkey & Attend IDE 2010

2010-03-01T19:05:00.001-08:00

Special Invitation to Discover Turkey & Attend IDE 2010
Sign up today--Rates increase March 1

I am very excited to announce that WRTA is a proud sponsor of the 5th annual International Destination Expo (IDE). This April 19-22, in Istanbul, Turkey, the IDE will provide four action-packed days of educational sessions, networking with local suppliers from the Holy Land/Middle East, and captivating local sightseeing. IDE is unique in that it is the only destination-focused show that provides certifications of expertise to its attendees - this is a great way to expand your professional profile and attract new clients. Best yet, qualified travel agents will receive a 4 night hotel stay* with their registration.

I invite you to join me in Istanbul this April as we together discover what makes Turkey one of the world's leading religious destinations while also deepening our knowledge of this remarkable country!

As a reminder, rates increase March 1st so register today at
http://www.asta.org/Events/content.cfm?ItemNumber=1609
*Limited quantity available. Offer is first come, first served.

Attend our seminar at ASTA IDE 2010:

Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World's Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and Holy Land

The panel's discussion will feature leading tourism representatives from Middle Eastern destinations. Other faith-based seminars at IDE include Turkey, Europe's Unknown Pilgrimage Destination. In addition, you can explore Turkey's many religious sites firsthand on pre- and post- conference tours that are specially priced for IDE delegates.

See you in Turkey - where "East Meets West"...

Sincerely,
Kevin J. Wright
WRTA President

WRTA LAUNCHES CONSULTING FIRM AND SPEAKERS BUREAU FOR RELIGIOUS TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY

2010-02-18T07:41:00.000-08:00

WRTA LAUNCHES CONSULTING FIRM AND SPEAKERS BUREAU FOR RELIGIOUS TRAVEL AND HOSPITALITY

Based on growing marketplace demands,the World Religious Travel Association expands its business services

LEXINGTON, Ky. (February 18, 2010) – In launching a new consulting program and speakers bureau, the World Religious Travel Association is expanding its business services to meet the growing demands of the $18 billion religious travel and hospitality industry.

“We’re thrilled with the debut of these two new enterprises,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “As more organizations and companies enter religious tourism from throughout the United States and around the world, we’ve seen the demand rise for specialized consulting as well as requests for expert speakers within the marketplace. With the launch of these ground-breaking business services, WRTA will not only continue to facilitate the growth of the industry, but also further enrich and empower it.”

Since its inception, WRTA has provided select contracted services to destinations, travel providers, and suppliers that requested further assistance in tapping the religious market.
In response to the increased interest, WRTA is now making its specialized consulting services available to the industry. Each new project will be taken on a case-by-case basis and must fall outside the scope of WRTA’s traditional membership benefits. Current and past clients include international tourist offices, convention and visitors bureaus, tour operators, suppliers, retailers, and theme parks/attractions among others.

To accommodate the blossoming and ongoing demand for its speaking services, WRTA is also launching a Speakers Bureau. With the new venture, WRTA will continue to best fulfill and meet the ever-expanding needs and requests of the faith-based travel marketplace. WRTA president and four-time published travel author, Kevin J. Wright, will continue to serve as the bureau’s featured speaker. Wright has spoken at dozens of tradeshows, conferences, and events globally and nationally.

For companies and organizations interested in hiring WRTA’s consulting, speakers bureau, or video development services, or to submit a proposal, contact Jim Wright, WRTA VP Sales & Marketing at http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/.

WRTA President on Sirius XM Radio's The Busted Halo

2010-02-17T18:14:00.001-08:00

Catch WRTA President, Kevin J. Wright, on Sirius XM Radio's "The Busted Halo" with Fr. Dave Dwyer on Feb 26 (8:20pm-8:40pm EST) discussing latest trends in faith tourism. For more information visit www.sirius.com/thecatholicchannel

WRTA President, Kevin J. Wright, on The Arthur Frommer Travel Radio Show

2010-02-17T18:11:00.000-08:00

Hear WRTA President, Kevin J. Wright, on The Arthur Frommer Travel Show on WOR News Talk Radio 710 (featured on 100+ stations):

Official Website for Arthur Frommer Travel Show (Feb 16): http://www.wor710.com/The-Travel-Show-with-Arthur-Frommer/3600821

Audio: http://bit.ly/WRTAPresidentWright_ArthurFrommerTravelShow

Faith-based Travel Seminars/Panels at New York Times Travel Show

2010-02-10T07:30:00.001-08:00

Full story at http://bit.ly/NYTIMESReligiousTravel

Press Release
NEW YORK , Feb. 9, 2010 – The seventh annual New York Times Travel Show will be held Feb. 26 to 28, 2010, at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City . The Travel Show will feature nearly 500 exhibitors representing more than 150 countries. The Show will take place in the main hall located on the south side of the Javits Center. The focus of the event is to encourage people to book vacations for a wide variety of trips, taking advantage of the on-site special offers available only at the Show. For more information, visit http://www.nytimes.com/travelshow.

Advice for Travelers with Special Interests.
Get faith-based travel ideas from World Religious Travel Association president and author Kevin J. Wright.

Globus Reports Faith-Based Vacations On Rise

2010-02-03T05:19:00.000-08:00

Feb 2, 2010
Article link: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/religious-travel/globus-reports-faith-based-vacations-rise-19612

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 by the end of this year when an additional 9.7 million people will have traveled internationally on religious journeys.

As the first and one of the only large tour operators to embrace faith-based vacations, having created a religious division in 2004, Globus is leading the industry in religious travel offerings. In addition to its Oberammergau itineraries, Globus has experienced great traveler excitement around Israel. "We unveiled Journey through the Holy Land this year and in less than 10 months, it's become our most popular getaway," said Schields. "In addition, Grand Catholic Italy and Footsteps of Apostle Paul round out our 'top three faith-based itineraries."

Tour Highlights of Palestine (Leisure Group Travel)

2010-02-01T09:46:00.000-08:00

Written by Sandy Dhuyvetter
Published by Leisure Group Travel

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF PALESTINE
Religious tour groups find sacred shrines, archaeological treasures, great shopping and friendly people in Palestine. Fresh from a 12-day trip to the Holy Land, the writer gives her impressions of cities like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nablus and Jericho. She tells what group planners can expect in regard to security, tour guides, hotels and other practical matters.
Get an overview of what awaits tour groups in Palestine

http://www.leisuregrouptravel.com/archives/Jan2010/Tourist%20Highlights%20of%20Palestine.pdf

Leisure Group Travel: Top 10 Emerging Destinations in Faith-based Tourism

2010-01-31T13:20:00.000-08:00

Cover story for Leisure Group Travel Magazine (February 2010 Issue)
Top 10 Emerging Destinations in Faith-based Tourism
View the entire story at http://bit.ly/EmergingDestinationsFaithTourism2010

The president of the World Religious Travel Association identifies 10 places ripe for religious group tours.
1) Armenia
2) Colombia
3) Lebanon
4) Syria
5) India
6) Cyprus
7) Palestine
8) Ethiopia
9) Poland
10) Quebec, Canada

Special Invitation to Discover Turkey & Attend IDE 2010

2010-01-29T10:53:00.000-08:00

Join me in Turkey this Spring.....

I am very excited to announce that WRTA is a proud sponsor of the 5th annual International Destination Expo (IDE). This April 19-22, in Istanbul, Turkey, the IDE will provide four action-packed days of educational sessions, networking with local suppliers from the Holy Land/Middle East, and captivating local sightseeing. IDE is unique in that it is the only destination-focused show that provides certifications of expertise to its attendees - this is a great way to expand your professional profile and attract new clients. Best yet, qualified travel agents will receive a 4 night hotel stay* with their registration.

I am also thrilled to share with you that I will be moderating the following panel discussion at IDE:

Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World's Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and Holy Land

Our discussion will feature leading tourism representatives from Middle Eastern destinations. Other faith-based seminars at IDE include Turkey, Europe's Unknown Pilgrimage Destination. In addition, you can explore Turkey's many religious sites firsthand on pre- and post- conference tours that are specially priced for IDE delegates.

I invite you to join me in Istanbul this April as we together discover what makes Turkey one of the world's leading religious destinations while also deepening our knowledge of this remarkable country!

See you in Turkey - where "East Meets West"...

Sincerely,
Kevin J. Wright

Year of Pilgrimage Begins

2010-01-24T13:37:00.001-08:00

by Tim Drake Thursday, January 07, 2010
Article link: http://www.ncregister.com/blog/year_of_pilgrimages_begins/

2010 is going to be a banner year for religious pilgrimages.

Ten million pilgrims are expected to travel to Compostela, Spain, to venerate the relics of St. James the Greater. 2010 is a holy year in Compostela, Spain, because the feast Day of St. James the Greater falls on a Sunday.

Another pilgrimage site set to receive a great number of visitors is the Italian town of Turin.

The Italian Archdiocese of Turin will be putting the Shroud of Turin on rare public display between April 10 and May 23, 2010. This is the shroud’s first public display since it underwent major cleaning and restoration in 2002. That work included the removing of 30 fabric patches and a fabric backing that was sewn onto the shroud in 1534 after a fire.

Pope Benedict XVI will make a pastoral visit to the shroud on May 2, 2010. The Italian newspaper Libero is reporting that some 600,000 people have already reserved tickets to see the Shroud during its 44 day display.

Of course, the Year for Priests continues in 2010. Multiple priest and seminarian pilgrimage groups have been making their way to Ars, France, home to St. John Marie Vianney, the patron saint of priests. In addition, an international gathering of priests will be on hand in Rome for the conclusion of the Year for Priests on June 9-11, 2010.

Finally, pilgrims will also be making their way to Oberammergau, Germany, for the performance of the Oberammergau Passion Play, which takes place every 10 years.

The history of the play dates back to 1633. After months of suffering from a plague, the people of Oberammergau vowed to perform the play every 10 years if they were spared. Miraculously, from that point on, they survived, and the villagers have performed the play ever since. This year, the play opens May 15, 2010, and ends on Oct. 3, 2010.

Join the World Religious Travel Association at a new low rate!

2010-01-21T17:25:00.001-08:00

Join WRTA Now & Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever!

Now is your opportunity to join the premier association for faith-based travel at a new low rate!

The World Religious Travel Association is offering a low $499 rate for all destinations, attractions and suppliers looking to target the 300 million traveler religious market in 2010. Travel agents also have a low rate at $99.

Make 2010 your best year ever by becoming part of one of the fastest growing and most resilient markets in the travel industry -- Religious Travel and Hospitality.

WRTA is the only global association dedicated to the Religious Travel and Hospitality Industry. Our members come from 30-plus countries on 6 continents and include the entire "infrastructure" of the faith tourism marketplace including wholesalers, suppliers, destinations, travel agents, and planners.

Religious travel and hospitality is an industry comprised of 300 million travelers globally and is recognized as one of the fastest growing segments in the travel marketplace. Religious travel and hospitality today features virtually every type of travel and event including pilgrimages, conventions/ meetings, leisure vacations, cruising, adventure/ safaris, attractions, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, and much more. It is one of the most resilient markets.

To join WRTA, contact the staff or click here: http://bit.ly/JoinWRTA2010

Jordan Travel Mart one month away

2010-01-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

The 3rd Annual Jordan Travel Mart is only one month away. For more information, see below:

Official Website: http://www.jordantravelmart.com/

The Event: The Jordan Travel Mart sponsored by the Jordan Tourism Board.

Where: Jordan, at The Dead Sea: King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center.

When: February 21-23, 2010.

Why: The Jordan Tourism Board has created this event to provide an opportunity for travel professionals from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Central and South America to learn about the wonders Jordan has to offer, and to experience the diversity of this unique destination.

To provide opportunities for these highly qualified travel professionals ("Buyers") to meet with Jordan Suppliers (receptive tour operators, hotels, airlines, etc) to create new business, and/or enhance valuable existing business relationships in a professional and organized environment.

Who will attend:
Travel professionals from the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Central & South America.
Jordanian Suppliers.
Travel Journalists.
Government Officials.

The Format:
Two (2) days of pre-scheduled 20 minute appointments between “Buyers and Suppliers.”
Presentations & Workshops about Jordan products and services.
Hosted breakfasts, lunches, dinners and social functions.
Pre and Post Tours – Jordan Highlight (3-4 days) and Jordan Experience (6-7 days).
Registration Fees:
Buyers - $175 USD

Includes: single room accommodations, airport welcome and transfers, ground transportation, pre-scheduled 20 minute buyer-supplier appointments, product presentations, JTM information CD; special discounted airfares and pre/post tours.

Suppliers - $1195 USD and $225 USD per additional delegate (Max 4 delegates per company/stand)

Includes: one (1) delegate badge, up to 20 pre-scheduled buyer-supplier appointments; 3m x 2m booth space, one (1) table with four (4) chairs, company’s sign, all official scheduled business and social functions.

Multiple Booth Discount - 2 Booths - $2145 USD (includes two delegate badges).

"EARLY” REGISTRATION DEADLINE is October 30, 2009. Fees increase after this date.

Buyer delegate fee increases to $225 after October 30th.

Supplier booth fee increases to $1,295 and Supplier delegate fee increases to $275 after October 30th.

Host Hotels:
Moevenpick Dead Sea Hotel.
Marriott Jordan Valley Dead Sea Resort & Spa.
Holiday Inn Resort Dead Sea.

Official Host Airline: Royal Jordanian Airline

Pre & Post Tours:
Jordan Highlight (3-4 days) and Jordan Experience (6-7 days)

Event Management Firm:
William H. Coleman, Inc., 1613 King Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204
Telephone 904-398-6777 (800-874-2324 USA/Canada)
Travel Professionals/Buyers: EXT 8025, Jordan Suppliers: EXT 8025
E Mail: sales@whcoleman.com
Website: www.jordantravelmart.com

Passport Health: Haiti Earthquake Victims and Volunteers Face Clean Water Issues

2010-01-20T16:13:00.000-08:00

Haiti Earthquake Victims and Volunteers Face Clean Water Issues
Water Safety, Access, Still Major Concern

BALTIMORE- 01/19/10—Six days after the magnitude 7.0 earthquake rocked Haiti the health and sanitation situation is still less than optimal in the makeshift camps. "Access to shelter, sanitation, water, food and medical care remains extremely limited," announced Riccardo Conti on a bulletin yesterday from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC's). Conti is ICRC’s head of delegation in Haiti.

Medical facilities in Port-au-Prince still lack staff and medicine and access to clean water is an issue for victims as well as Haiti earthquake volunteers. Passport Health, the leading provider of travel medical services and vaccinations, and Hydro-Photon, maker of SteriPEN portable water purifiers, are joining together to support Operation USA in its efforts to assist victims of the Haitian earthquake. OP USA is an international relief agency that helps communities at home and abroad overcome the effects of disasters, disease and endemic poverty by providing privately-funded relief, reconstruction and development aid. Since 1979, the Los Angeles-based nonprofit has worked in 99 countries, delivering over $350 million for relief and development projects.

“Hydro-Photon will provide quantities of its SteriPEN water purifiers to help protect the health of relief workers and earthquake victims on the ground in Haiti,” announced Miles Maiden, CEO of Hydro-Photon. SteriPEN utilizes ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses and protozoa in seconds, helping to prevent water-borne illness. Operation USA supports several field organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Partners in Health and World Vision, all of which are presently working to improve conditions in Haiti. Please support its efforts through donations at www.opusa.org.

“The task facing humanitarian organizations is overwhelming," said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international volunteers. “Water is essential, but clean water is scarce and volunteers have to take precautions with water purification devices so that they do not become ill while helping others,” she added. “We stand behind our partners Hydro-Photon and Doctors Without borders and encourage you to donate to Operation USA.

Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health is reaching out to all volunteer and relief organizations and is offering extended hours throughout their national network of clinics. Passport Health will also come on-site for departing volunteer groups.

Register today for ASTA IDE Istanbul, Turkey April 19-22, 2010

2010-01-14T16:20:00.000-08:00

ASTA Rates Increase March 1st, Register NOW and Save!

Attending this year's International Destination Expo will provide you with a unique opportunity to learn about the fascinating destination of Turkey. Featuring education that focuses on training you to become an expert and networking with local companies, IDE equips you with the skills to exceed your clients' expectations!

Gain certifications of your expertise in exciting new sessions such as ASTA's newest destination specialist course: Turkey, the Cradle of Civilization: a Walk through 10,000 Years of History.

IDE will also host a panel discussion, Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World's Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and the Holy Land, featuring leading tourism representatives from Middle Eastern destinations. Don't miss this exciting event!

Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World’s Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and Holy Land

Moderator: Kevin J. Wright, President - World Religious Travel Association
Panelists will include leading tourism representatives from Middle Eastern Destinations

Join Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), and leading tourism representatives from the Middle East, for an unforgettable and unprecedented discussion on the world’s top religious and holy sites in this extraordinary part of the world. Furthermore, discover firsthand how to develop a thriving and diverse faith-based travel program centered on the great religious itineraries stretching across these ancient and biblically-rich lands such as Turkey, Armenia, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and much more.

Not only will you be inspired and fascinated by the discussions, but just as importantly, you’ll return home equipped with the much-needed knowledge and strategies to immediately impact your faith-based travel program ... no matter whether you are new to religious tourism or a long-term expert. Best of all, this remarkable discussion and seminar will be held in Istanbul (Turkey) ... not only the very crossroads and place where “East Meets West,” but also where the history of faith and religion spans the millenniums.

Register NOW to receive 4 nights complimentary hotel stay* in Istanbul -- hurry, space is limited!

*Space is limited. Offer is first-come, first-served while supplies last.

Passport Health to Participate in National Influenza Week

2010-01-13T16:18:00.000-08:00

National Influenza Week Started January 10, 2010

Baltimore- 1/12/10- National Influenza Week had been postponed from December until January due to vaccine unavailability. National Influenza Week is taking place from January 10, 2010 until January 16, 2010.

“Passport Health has responded to the CDC’s requests for a partnership and participating Passport Health locations plan to honor National Influenza Week by offering a 10% discount on Seasonal Influenza Vaccinations and H1N1 Vaccinations during the week of January 10, 2010 at participating locations,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the largest provider of travel medical services and immunizations in the U.S.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each day of National Influenza Week will encourage a different at-risk group to receive the seasonal and H1N1 vaccination. This year’s CDC national schedule is as follows:

Day
CDC Focus
Tuesday, January 12
Those with a Chronic Illness
Wednesday, January 13
Children, Pregnant Women & Caregivers of Children >6 mo
Thursday, January 14
Young Adults (19-24 years of age)
Friday, January 15
Seniors

Seasonal influenza (Flu) can be a severe respiratory infection that is contagious and can lead to several missed days of work or school. On average there are approximately 36,000 U.S. deaths and 200,000 U.S. hospitalizations a year from seasonal influenza. As stated by the CDC, seasonal influenza is unpredictable and may be worse this year due to the 2009 H1N1 virus. “We are definitely not out of the woods yet with H1N1 influenza; and, seasonal influenza will not peak until late February.” Our message is consistent,” continued Lessans. “Get your flu shot.”

For more information on National Influenza Week and participating Passport Health locations please call your nearest Passport Health at 1-888-499-7277 or visit our website at http://www.passporthealthusa.com/.

Brianne Lacey
410-727-0556
Brianne.Lacey@passporthealthusa.com

Haiti Earthquake Mobilizes Relief Workers (Passport Health)

2010-01-13T16:06:00.000-08:00

Haiti Earthquake Mobilizes Relief Workers
Donations, Volunteers Needed

BALTIMORE- 9/13/10—The most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Haiti’s history devastated parts of the island Tuesday. “We are saddened by the news and extend our condolences to those affected by this earthquake,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “Our priority right now is to make sure that Haiti Earthquake volunteers take adequate measures so that they do not succumb to illness,” she added. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international volunteers.

Passport Health is encouraging everyone to help out any way they can. Passport Health (www.passporthealthusa.com) has added a link on their website to allow direct donations to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), an international medical humanitarian organization working in more than 60 countries to assist people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe. MSF’s clinics have been damaged by this earthquake and teams are setting up clinics to treat those who are injured.

According to a MSF senior staff member "the situation is chaotic.” Many medical centers and one major hospitals are not functioning."

“There is a great need for volunteers,” continued Lessans. “Precautionary measures to consider when entering areas affected by the Hatian Earthquake include:
• Up-to-date vaccinations:
o Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDaP)
o Hepatitis A and B
o Typhoid Fever
o Water Purification Devices
o Wound Care Kits
o Anti-Diarrhea Prophylaxes, Medications, and oral rehydration solutions

“Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. In these situations conditions are less than sanitary and we want to make sure no one gets sick while trying to help others. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health is reaching out to all volunteer and relief organizations and is offering extended hours throughout their national network of clinics. Passport Health will also come on-site for departing volunteer groups.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Religious Travel Top Travel Trend for 2010 (USA TODAY)

2010-01-11T15:36:00.001-08:00

The top ten travel trends for 2010
USA Today
By Laura Bly

Religious Travel ranks as Top 10 Travel Trend for 2010.

Read full story at http://bit.ly/USATODAYReligiousTravelTopTrend2010

A Year for Christian Tourism - The New York Times

2010-01-11T15:23:00.000-08:00

A Year for Christian Tourism
by David Farley
The New York Times

Article opening: It’s shaping up to be an auspicious year for Christian tourism, thanks to two infrequent religious events in Europe.

Click here to read the full story: http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/05/a-year-for-christian-tourism/

Collette Vacations Breaks Its Oberammergau Record

2009-12-20T11:41:00.000-08:00

Collette Vacations Breaks Its 1999 Oberammergau Record

Leisure Group Travel - Willowbrook,IL,USA

In spite of a struggling economy, Collette Vacations reports that it has broken its prior record, set in 1999, for number of tickets sold to Oberammergau’s Passion Play.

Group Tour Magazine interview with Cindi Brodhecker

2009-12-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Group Tour Spotlight e-Magazine
December 2009 Vol. 412
Read full article at http://www.grouptour.com/spotlight/detail.php?recid=455&issue=412

Strengthening fellowship and faith
Cindi Brodhecker of Ephrata, Pa., owner of Faith Travel Development & Consulting, helps operators and suppliers find their way in the $18 billion a year faith-based travel market. Plus, she just launched a new division called The Priscilla Woman’s Tours.

Group Tour Spotlight: Tell me about your background in tourism.

Cindi Brodhecker: I call travel my midlife crisis.

I was in accounts payable and on the accounting side in office management for different companies. I decided I wanted to do something different and contacted a friend that had a motorcoach company and started there.

Group Tour Spotlight: What did you do there?

Brodhecker: I was a group tour planner for motorcoach tours.

Group Tour Spotlight: So you know all about setting up tours.

Brodhecker: Oh, absolutely. From finding the rest stops every two hours to the meals and the accommodations and attractions. I started at the ground level. The first tour I did was the Wisconsin Dells. They started talking about Branson, and I had no idea where Branson was. I was new to the travel world but enjoyed it immensely and everything just kept growing from that point on.

I got to plan group tours on motorcoaches, I got to escort some of the tours, and from there I went into the international side of it and that’s where my passion really grew. I’ve been involved in the travel business for 18 years and always with a company that had a focus on tours for Christian groups.

Group Tour Spotlight: So when did you start your company, Faith Travel Development & Consulting?

Brodhecker: In February of 2007.

Group Tour Spotlight: What services do you provide?

Brodhecker: Faith Travel Development & Consulting was designed to assist people who had an interest in the faith-based travel market — on both sides of the fence, so to speak. Many years ago, I worked for a company and was reprimanded for being too helpful to what at that time was called the competition. And I realized that is what I really enjoy doing: to help other people realize what this is all about. So the consulting and development part of it started as a result of my networking and helping other people.

I call myself a facilitator. I can help the individual home-based travel agent understand what the faith-based market is and help them to reach out to their community and beyond to try to gather clients that would be interested in this travel market. I also can help tour operators that don’t have this type of program do the same thing — to develop it and help them market it.

I can also help the church or organization realize the value of what a travel program or a travel ministry can do for their church or organization. There are benefits on both sides, from growing the community to using travel as a means of fund-raising for projects.

On one side, I represent tour operators who are located in destinations that are important to the faith-based market. I represent a company in Turkey, a company in Greece, a company in Egypt, and through an operator here in the States I represent someone in Israel. So I do trade shows and represent their destinations and work within the U.S. market to give leads that are gathered at those trade shows to tour operators here in the States that actually can work those leads. On the Faith Travel side, I do not book groups or handle group reservations. I pass the leads on to companies that work with the people I represent. It’s unique. I don’t know of anyone else that is doing it. It saves the international operators funds because I can represent them at a show and they don’t have that travel expense. On the other side, I’m not competition to anyone in the States working with those operators because I pass the leads to them.

Group Tour Spotlight: Sounds like you’ve found a niche.

Brodhecker: It’s working.

A new venture

Group Tour Spotlight: Tell me about the new division you just launched at the World Religious Travel Association conference.

Brodhecker: The new division is called The Priscilla Woman’s Tours. It is based on the person of Priscilla from the book of Acts in the New Testament. It’s a company that will serve the ladies that want to travel — either women traveling together, women that want to travel and not be in a group of 10 percent ladies and 90 percent couples, which is the demographics of most of the tour groups. What I’m trying to create is a travel environment where women can feel comfortable traveling with other women and using the person of Priscilla as women of noble character, strong faith, and joy. The Web site is www.priscillawomantours.com.

It’s for women that may be widowed, may be single, may be divorced, may want to go somewhere with a girlfriend or a niece or a daughter, or their husband just has no interest in that destination and they just want to go and see. It’s designed for women of like faith to travel together. It’s not necessarily that all tours will be to destinations of the Bible, but it’s women who will travel together for fun, fellowship, and spiritual enrichment. There will be some times when a tour will be created — I’m using the phrase, Priscilla can invite her Aquilla, which was Priscilla’s husband in the New Testament.

Gigi Graham, the daughter of Dr. Billy Graham, will travel on some of our tours. An author, who is a 9/11 widow, will go with us. I have a performing artist who does drama and re-creates characters from the Bible or historical women in costume and will provide music.

Group Tour Spotlight: Why did you develop The Priscilla Woman’s Tours?

Brodhecker: I listened to people talk about how they like to travel. Through the years, as I have escorted many groups to many different places, sometimes the ladies will fit in very well. And sometimes I can see them pulling back a little bit. So through conversation of hearing a need and basically it was an idea that came to me one morning as I was preparing to meet a friend for breakfast. I thought, no, I’m not going to do that. But it was an idea that just would not leave me. It was something that I felt I needed to develop, and it spiraled from there.

I’ve gotten very, very positive comments from everyone.

Every tour will be built with a commission for travel people who want to sell into the tour. And we will create tours for women’s groups using the artist and contacts we have to make it very special for them.

Read the rest of the article at
http://www.grouptour.com/spotlight/detail.php?recid=455&issue=412

Cindi Brodhecker
Faith Travel Development & Consulting
The Priscilla Woman’s Tours
263 Ridge Ave.
Ephrata, PA 17522
(717) 733-1655
www.faithtraveldevelopment.com
www.priscillawomantours.com

NTA and UMA to Co-Locate Trade Shows in 2013

2009-11-04T19:14:00.000-08:00

NTA and UMA to Co-Locate Trade Shows in 2013
Leisure Group Travel - Willowbrook,IL,USA
The World Religious Travel Association, which is co-locating its 2009 World Religious Travel Expo for the first time with NTA's Convention in Reno, Nov. ...

Tauck Launches First-Ever Israel Tour

2009-10-31T18:12:00.000-07:00

Tauck Launches First-Ever Israel Tour Insite Religious Travel ...
By admin Tauck World Discovery launches its first-ever tour to Israel.
Insite Religious Travel Directory - http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com/

PASTORS, MINISTRY LEADERS & THOSE INTERESTED IN FAITH-BASED TRAVEL INVITED TO WORLD RELIGIOUS TRAVEL EXPO

2009-10-27T16:53:00.000-07:00

PASTORS, MINISTRY LEADERS & THOSE INTERESTED IN FAITH-BASED TRAVEL REGISTER TODAY! FOR THE WORLD RELIGIOUS TRAVEL EXPO.

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE!

Have you continued to do the same trips year after year? Are you looking to plan new, exciting trips that will entice new members of your fellowship to travel? If so, we would love to invite you to attend the first-ever travel show for religious leaders and faith-based travelers- the World Religious Travel Expo.

Why Attend this Year?
Explore the diverse world of faith-based travel including pilgrimages, mission trips, Volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, and more

Discover how to build a thriving travel program/ministry
Meet personally with tourism/travel officials from Israel, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt, Cyprus,
Greece,Turkey, Switzerland, Britain, Scotland, Korea, India, Pakistan & more
Discuss opportunities with missionary travel companies such as MTS Travel and volunteer vacation companies such as Lifetree Adventures
Plan trips with leading pilgrimage tour companies such as Regina Tours, Unitours, as well as overseas Christian tour companies from Palestine, Turkey, Africa, Greece, Germany, and much more
Explore Christian and faith-based attractions such as TBN's The Holy Land Experience, and The Shrine of Christ's Passion
Design a fellowship cruise with faith-based cruise companies such as Premier Christian Cruises
Discuss opportunities with retreat conference centers such as Lifeway Conference Centers
Get ready for Oberammergau with The German National Tourist Office, as well as other local German tourism officials who can help you plan and prepare for your trip to next year's renowned Passion Play
Tickets purchased in advance are $20...plus you get an autographed copy of The Christian Travel Planner! Books are limited so please fax back the below registration today to ensure your copy.

Tickets at the door are $35 (book not included).

FAX YOUR REGISTRATION TODAY TO RESERVE YOUR BOOK! (859.226.4434)

Download your registration.

Questions or would you like to register over the phone? Contact WRTA/Expo Staff at 859.226.4203 or visit

Lifetree Adventures Announces South Africa Christian Travel Itinerary for 2010

2009-10-26T16:17:00.000-07:00

Read full/original release at http://www.pr-inside.com/print1533822.htm

Lifetree Adventures Announces South Africa Christian Travel Itinerary for 2010

2009-10-19 Lifetree Adventures on this Christian travel adventure will assist patients, visit homes to distribute health information, care for orphans and conduct life-skills lessons in the schools.

Loveland, CO, October 19, 2009 -- Today Lifetree Adventures announced its upcoming South Africa trip will take place January 30-February 12, 2010. This South African Christian travel opportunity combines sites like Robben Island with service days that will be spent assisting patients, visit homes and caring for orphans.

As a Lifetree Adventures volunteer, Christian travelers will be working at the front line of the greatest crisis facing South Africa, and the entire African continent: AIDS. Millions of people live with HIV in South Africa, and nearly a thousand people die as a result of AIDS every day. These people are not just numbers. They are individuals, precious in the sight of God, and with the same hopes and dreams that we all share.

Thankfully, this massive tragedy is being addressed with a practical demonstration of Christ’s love at the Living Hope Community Center in Cape Town. The Center assists community members to overcome the root causes of poverty and AIDS. Through early education at kids clubs, life skills training and healthcare centers for HIV and AIDS patients, Living Hope has become an active part of the community.

They will also help with a VBS-like kids club, sharing songs, reading stories and distributing snacks. While volunteers help the kids with fun craft projects, their parents can undergo life-saving blood tests. Other service opportunities include abstinence education, light maintenance, and helping out with youth sports. This promises to be a challenging adventure, but one where compassionate service will be remembered for a long time.

South Africa Christian Travel Itinerary:

DAY 1 Arrive in Cape Town and then transfer to our partner’s boarding house for dinner and orientation

DAY 2 Sunday church service and ministry tour including Cape Point and African Penguin colony

DAY 3-8 Service days will be spent assisting patients, visit homes, caring for orphans, running kids clubs while parents undergo blood tests, light maintenance projects, and sports camps

DAY 9 Morning ferry to Robben Island, V & A waterfront outing and afternoon visit to Table Mountain

DAY 10 Service projects

DAY 11 A free day to explore Cape Town followed by final dinner with our partners and new friends

DAY 12 Depart Cape Town for U.S

To learn more about this new Christian travel opportunity in South Africa visit: www.lifetreeadventures.com/SouthAfrica.aspx or call 800-747-2157.

Lifetree Adventures is a division of Group Workcamps Foundation, a leading non-profit mission organization offering Christian travel trips for youth and adults for over 30 years. Lifetree offers Christian travel options to South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Peru, Guatemala, Israel, New Orleans, Mazatlan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Fiji and Vanuatu with new destinations being constantly added. Through Group Workcamps, over 250,000 volunteers have provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer service to projects in hundreds of U.S. and international locations. www.lifetreeadventures.com

Contact:
Alexia Nestora
Lifetree Adventures
27 Long Spur
Littleton, CO 80127
303-898-3376
http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/

Pilgrims Prosper: Faith-Based Travel Proves Recession-Resistant

2009-10-26T16:03:00.001-07:00

Read full story at http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/pilgrims_prosper

BY Tim Drake
Register Senior Writer
October 18-24, 2009 Issue

In a recent Gallup Poll, 42% of respondents said that they had delayed a vacation over the past 60 days in order to help make ends meet. Yet, despite the economic downturn, experts expect 2010 and 2011 to be banner years for religious travel.

Kevin Wright, president and founder of the World Religious Travel Association, said that the next two years look to be “fascinating” for Catholic and religious travel. “Tour operators expect 500,000 visitors for the Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, which only happens every decade,” he said. In addition, noted Wright, Spain has declared 2010 a holy year because the feast of St. James, July 25, falls on a Sunday, which means that many will be traveling to Santiago de Compostela, whose cathedral has a relic of St. James the Apostle.

According to Wright, religious tourism is, in fact, one of the oldest forms of tourism. “The first tour operator was Thomas Cook, a Baptist minister from England,” said Wright. “He took the first group to the Holy Land in 1861.” Cook’s business has grown into what is now one of the world’s largest travel agencies. Those who conduct tours say they’ve seen many changes since 1861.

Nick Mancino, president of New York-based Regina Tours, which leads between 150 to 200 tours per year, has also seen many changes over the past two decades. “Up until about 10 years ago, the Holy Land was one of the last places Catholics thought about going,” said Mancino. “But since the popes [Paul VI, John Paul II and Benedict XVI] have gone there, it has become a more popular destination.”

Other changes Mancino has seen include an increase in younger pilgrims and a desire for a more comfortable experience.

“In the old days, travelers went for two or three weeks. Because of cost and time, most travelers were retired,” said Mancino. “Now, younger people are traveling, and most travelers are going for only eight to 10 days at a time.”

“Thirty-five years ago, people didn’t care how they flew or where they stayed,” said Mancino. “Now, they’re more prone to ask how they’ll get there and whether the hotel is a one-star or four-star hotel.”

Israel Tourism enjoys similar numbers in August 2009 to August 2008

2009-10-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

Read full story at
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/israel/israel-tourism-bounces-back-17384

More than a quarter million tourists visited Israel in August 2009, a similar number to August 2008, according to Arie Sommer, Israel Tourism Commissioner, North and South America.

ASTA’s IDE 2010: Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World's Top Religious Sites in the Holy Land

2009-10-25T17:27:00.001-07:00

Read full story at http://www.asta.org/News/PRDetail.cfm?itemnumber=5937

Niche Session
Discover How to Build a Thriving Faith-based Travel Program Centered on the World's Top Religious Sites in the Middle East and Holy Land.
Moderator: Kevin J. Wright, President - World Religious Travel Association.
Panelists will include leading tourism representatives from Middle Eastern Destinations.

Travel agents will discover how to develop a thriving and diverse faith-based travel program centered on the great religious itineraries stretching across these ancient and biblically-rich lands such as Turkey, Armenia, Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Palestine, and much more. Attendees will return home equipped with the much-needed knowledge and strategies to immediately impact their faith-based travel program, no matter whether they are new to religious tourism or a long-term expert.

Qualified travel agents and journalists who register to attend IDE will also receive free accommodation for the four nights of the conference, April 19-22, in Istanbul. Check www.ASTA.org/expo to register for IDE and see which hotels are available. For more information or to register, go to ASTA.org/events.

ABOUT ASTA
ASTA's (American Society of Travel Agents) mission is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable, growing and a rewarding place to work, invest and do business.

Thousands of Christian pilgrims arrive to fulfill ancient Succot prophesy

2009-10-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

Source: Jerusalem Post
Read full story at:
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1254673317623&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

The Ministry of Tourism said this "Feast of the Tabernacle" is the largest annual tourist event that occurs in Israel and that the boost to the local economy is expected to be between $16 and $18 million.

"Christian tourism to Israel, in all its streams, represents one of our most important targets," said Tourism Minister Stash Misezhnikov in a press statement regarding the celebration.

NTA Can Open Door to Tour Sales

2009-10-10T11:16:00.000-07:00

Read full story at http://www.travelagentcentral.com/home-based/conferences/nta-can-open-door-tour-sales-17797

More good news. The NTA – one of the largest and best-managed associations – has co-locating the conference with the World Religious Travel Association's (WRTA) Expo. This gives tour operators the opportunity to enhance their market share and grow their faith-based product line. Like the China inbound market, faith based products are a growing and lucrative market. The NTA hopes that tour operators can enhance their market share and grow their faith-based product line. WRTA expects about 100 exhibitors representing a variety of travel companies and destinations specializing in faith-based travel.

Cyprus tourism eyes options as temperatures inch higher

2009-10-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

Read full story at http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-change/stories/cyprus-tourism-eyes-options-as-temperatures-inch-higher

The Mediterranean basin may need to shift its marketing focus into niche markets like cultural and religious tourism as its appeal as a sunny holiday destination diminishes.

Cyprus has a tourism intake of more than 2 million each year, attracted by its almost year-round sunshine and stunning beaches. The sector represents about 11 percent of its economy. But its key selling point, the sun, could be a malady if forecasts on changing weather patterns prove to be correct.

Industry stakeholders and scientists have launched a dialogue on how the tourism sector fits in to the changing weather landscape. That could include shifting marketing focus into niche markets like cultural and religious tourism.

Doing Jordan justice including through religious tourism

2009-10-04T17:27:00.000-07:00

Read full story at http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/article-5817-doing-jordan-justice/

As mentioned by Herzog, Jordan is focused on developing alternative tourism streams. Under the National Tourism Strategy, which was developed with the assistance of United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Jordan was well-advised to focus on niche hospitality offerings to target religious-, eco-, adventure- and cultural- tourists, who consistently spend more and in turn enjoy an enhanced visitor experience, reports Euromonitor.

TYPHOON KETSANA LEAVES THE PHILLIPPINES, EN-ROUTE TO VIETNAM

2009-10-01T13:07:00.001-07:00

Contaminated Water, Mosquito-Borne Diseases a Health Hazard for Traveling Volunteers

BALTIMORE- 9/29/09- After Ketsana plowed through Philippines throughout the weekend many Filipinos experienced something they had never seen before: In Manila, streets were flooded to the highest levels ever recorded; and inside its houses, citizens dealt with water that rose up to 4 feet. Rivers and creeks, swollen after 24-hours rains that dumped more than a month's worth of average rainfall, flooded about 80 per cent of the city in which 15 million people live.

“It always saddens us to hear news like this,” said Fran Lessans, CEO of Passport Health, the nation’s leading provider of travel medical services and immunizations. “We were first respondents after the Katrina disaster and know first hand how devastating a [typhoon] can be. Our priority right now is to make sure that Typhoon Ketsana Volunteers leaving for The Philippines and Vietnam take adequate measures so that they do not succumb to illness,” she added. Passport Health keeps up-to date health alerts for all international travelers

On a recent interview with Voice of America, Stephen Anderson, the United Nations World Food Program's country director in Manila, compared the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana to Hurricane Katrina." It was more rain in fact than Hurricane Katrina and you know up to 20 feet of water engulfed some parts of Manila, especially the low lying areas," he stated. The Philippines are not out of the woods yet as another major storm is expected to enter Philippine waters on Thursday and make landfall later in the week on the northern island of Luzon; the same way Ketsana made landfall.

So far the death toll has risen to 240 people and over 1.9 million people were affected and 375,000 abandoned their homes and taken refuge in evacuation center because of Typhoon Ketsana, which also destroyed or damage 3,000 houses.

“There is great need for volunteers,” continued Lessans. “Precautionary measures to consider when entering areas affected by Typhoon Ketsana include:
Up-to-date vaccinations:
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertusis (TDaP)
Hepatitis A and B
Typhoid Fever
Japanese Encephalitis (depending on location)
Malaria Prophylaxes
Water Purification Devices
Wound Care Kits
Anti-Diarrhea Prophylaxes, Medications, and oral rehydration solutions

“Passport Health will make recommendations for vaccines, portable water purifiers, and food, water and mosquito-borne illnesses for each volunteer. In these situations conditions are less than sanitary and we want to make sure no one gets sick. Clean water is an issue right now,” she concluded.

Passport Health supplied, on short notice, doctors and nurses to postal and publishing facilities along the east coast after the Anthrax attack of 2001. Additionally the company prepared relief workers and relatives of victims of the Tsunami in Indonesia. After hurricane Katrina, Passport Health nurses were deployed to the Gulf Coast to vaccinate utility and relief workers. Passport Health nurses also supplied free flu shots to residents and Emergency Response Teams affected by the recent California wild fires.

Jorge Eduardo Castillo
Jorge.castillo@passporthealthusa.com
410.727.0556

Lifetree Adventures Announces New Christian Travel Destinations

2009-09-27T13:26:00.000-07:00

Loveland, CO (OPENPRESS) September 25, 2009 --
Lifetree Adventures today announced their Christian travel destinations for 2010. With 16 destinations including Vanuatu and Peru there is now a destination for everyone.Volunteers will be able to walk among biblical ruins and help bring in a harvest to feed hungry Israeli children, or live on an Amazon riverboat cruising up the Ucayali River and then stopping at an Indian village to help build their church.The 16 Christian travel destinations for 2010 include:

Alaska Christian Travel ItineraryVolunteers will journey into the Alaskan bush where they will live in a village and work alongside men, women, and their families. Experience everyday life in the Alaskan wild, and spend time learning about their traditions. Life in the village is very hard, and the time volunteers spend with them, showing God’s love to these amazing people, will make a difference for years to come.
http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/alaskafamily.asp...

Costa Rica Christian Travel ItineraryFrom cool, moist rainforests to sun-kissed beaches, Costa Rica offers something for everyone seeking adventure. This land is stunningly beautiful and peaceful—there hasn’t been an army in Costa Rica since 1949. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/costarica.aspx

Egypt Christian Travel ItineraryVolunteers will see the Great Pyramid, the only Ancient Seven Wonders of the World” still standing, ride by camel among the pyramids, walk through massive temples in Luxor, and be transported back to a time when pharaohs ruled the land. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/egypt.aspx

Israel Christian Travel ItineraryIn Israel the word “old” should be used sparingly— most of its cities’ ages are counted not in centuries, but in millennia. Israel is home to many UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and of course there is Jerusalem—a historical and spiritual home to the three main religions of the world. Christian travelers with Lifetree will serve in homes and help at a food bank. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/israel.aspx

Kenya Christian Travel ItineraryIn the capital city of Nairobi, volunteers will work alongside Christ’s followers who selflessly help some of the city’s poorest people. The work that needs to be done includes: feeding programs, healthcare, vocational education, providing homes for children of parents who have died of AIDS, and empowering church leaders with training seminars. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/kenya.aspx

Mazatlan Christian Travel ItineraryVolunteers will make a real difference in Mazatlan as they help build a home for a well-deserving family. Not only will they learn a couple of new skills, they’ll dig into the Mexican culture and feel at home in a suburb of Mazatlan. You’ll make new friends as you work alongside the people who will live in the house once it’s done. And you’ll take home wonderful memories of your service to people in need. It will be an unforgettable trip. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/mazatlan.aspx

Peru Christian Travel ItineraryFor over 25 years Group Workcamp’s ministry partners have been reaching the people of the Ucayali River by boat. But recently they completed a new, large sailing vessel—the Evangelista—to expand their work of bringing the good news to the people on the river. This boat will be travelers’ home away from home. Be a part of a ministry expedition to serve, share experiences, and even learn from villagers. Volunteers will help educate, develop relationships, take part in construction projects, be a part of church activities, and micro-business development will make an impact on the community. http://www.lifetreeadventures.com/peru.aspx

For more information, or to reserve a spot on the new Christian travel itineraries, travel agents and travelers can go to http://www.lifetreeadventures.com or call 800-747-2157 Monday through Friday MST.Lifetree Adventures is a new division of Group Workcamps Foundation, a leading non-profit mission organization offering Christian travel trips for youth and adults for over 30 years.

Lifetree offers Christian travel options to Kenya, Thailand, Peru, New Orleans, Israel, Mazatlan, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Uganda and Vanuatu with new destinations being constantly added. Through Group Workcamps, over 250,000 volunteers have provided more than 7 million hours of volunteer service to projects in hundreds of U.S. and international locations.Contact:Michelle Clavijo-DiazLifetree AdventuresLoveland, CO800-747-2157 http://www.lifetreeadventures.com .
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Release- World Religious Travel Expo Provides an Opportunity to Increase Revenues Twelve-fold and Profits Four-fold

2009-09-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

World Religious Travel Expo Provides an Opportunity
to Increase Revenues Twelve-fold and Profits Four-fold

LEXINGTON, Ky. (September 24, 2009) – Numbers don’t lie. A landmark study finds that for every dollar invested in travel for face-to-face meetings, companies can expect an average twelve-fold increase ($12.50) in revenues and four-fold increase ($3.80) in new profits. The World Religious Travel Expo 2009 is no exception as the tradeshow presents travel providers an opportunity to dramatically increase their revenues and profits in the $18 billion faith-based travel and hospitality industry.
The study commissioned by the U.S. Travel Association and completed by global research firm Oxford Economics, shows measurable negative impacts of cutting business travel and trade show attendance from the budget:
» The average business in the U.S. would forfeit 17% of its profits in the first year by eliminating business travel
» It would take three years to recover those lost profits

“These statistics clearly demonstrate the immense value of attending tradeshows, but even more, confirm once and for all the return on investment provided to conference attendees,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “This is all the more important in the burgeoning religious travel industry, where doing business face-to-face is simply expected in this marketplace. The World Religious Travel Expo features the premier venue for buying, selling and discovering new suppliers/product ideas in faith tourism.”

The WRTA Expo is positioned to provide delegates an even higher ROI, especially when taking into account the exceptional rates to attend the Expo, as well as the very affordable overnight hotel rates. Travel agents pay just $35 (for WRTA Members) and $85 (for non-WRTA Members) to attend the World Religious Travel Expo, which includes meal functions, tradeshow floor access, educational seminars, and entertainment events. Hotel rates at the official Expo host hotel (Atlantis Resort and Spa) in Reno, Nevada, begin at just $59 per night.

WRTA is currently taking registrations for the Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to once again draw hundreds of tourism organizations, travel professionals, agents, and group planners from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association Convention ‘09, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking and access to new market opportunities.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact WRTA at: 888-255-WRTA (9872) or +1-859-219-3529

Bahamas Growing the Religious Market

2009-09-06T21:15:00.001-07:00

Article Link: http://www.thenassauguardian.com/religion/299774866559256.php

By STAFF WRITER ~ Nassau Guardian:

The Ministry of Tourism(MOT) is taking aggressive measures to receive a chunk of the religious tourism niche market — an 18 billion dollar industry which has the potential of providing The Bahamas with year-round visitors, according to MOT's Deputy Director Religious Group Market Linville Johnson.

Johnson said his department is working along with approximately 20 denominations to increase the number of visitors who attend religious events in the country annually.

Johnson was speaking at the first annual Kingdom Seminar hosted by international author and consultant Dr. Myles Munroe at The Diplomat Centre recently.

The winter season is the peak period for visitors, but Johnson emphasized the need for year round visitors.

"We have hundreds of visitors who come to The Bahamas annually solely for religious events. It's an 18 billion dollar global market that is large and is growing. We want to be at the cutting edge of this market so that we can get our fair share and statistics show that we are one of the destinations of choice for these religious groups," he said.

Tourism's religious market is targeting large church groups by giving them the best deals possible from the MOT's website. Other activities include marketing and advertising through specialty religious magazines and public relations activities at seminars and conferences.
Research by the MOT shows that the local religious tourism market is comprised of 54 percent female, ages 18-24 and 45-54, with household income from 25,000 to 75,000. Fifty-seven percent stay an average of six nights in hotels, accounting for approximately 3,057 visitors and 18,201 room nights in 2007/08.

"For example, [Bahamas Faith Ministries Senior Pastor] Myles Munroe's annual conferences for youth, Christians and international leaders have been drawing a large segment of that market for us [and] Florida is our biggest market," said Johnson. "What we want to do now is partner with other denominations during their events to increase the numbers through hotel bookings."
Munroe's three-day kingdom seminar attracted delegates from more than 30 countries including The United States, Indonesia, Malaysia, The United Kingdom and other parts of Europe.

"It's great when I can do what I love which is teaching and at the same time be a part of tourism in this country. This is a time when people everywhere are cutting back, but this event has not been impacted by the recession. Really, this seminar is a response to a demand for the past 10 years. When I travel, people always ask me, 'When are you going to have a seminar in The Bahamas?' So this is different from the conferences, but it still attracts Christians from around the world," he said.

NACTA Predicts Continued Growth Despite Downturn

2009-09-06T20:37:00.001-07:00

Read full story at Travel Agent Central: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/home-based/consortia/nacta-predicts-continued-growth-despite-downturn-17144

Another initiative is NACTA’s outreach to the industry. in June NACTA had a joint program with the National Tour Association (NTA) to help build agents awareness of he importance of tour sales. This includes the first of NACTA’s "destinationals." Koepf was to develop a strong destination familiarization capability that will expose NACTA agents to popular and off beat U.S. destinations to spark sales. Currently, 22 percent of NACTA travel agents sell tours, and about 370 NTA tour operators offers agents commissionable packages.

Koepf will also be a keynote speaker for the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) Travel Expo 2009. The Travel Expo & Educational Conference will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, NV.

The Expo includes co-locating with the NTA’s convention thus offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.

“We are going to make it easier and affordable for suppliers to reach out and communicate with independent agents," said Koepf. "At the same time, we are going to provide our members with access to quality supplier programs.”

Koepf believes that NACTA is positioned to help many agents regardless of business models. This includes independent contractors, outside sales agents, cruise- and tour-oriented agents, group- oriented travel professionals and traditional ARC-appointed travel agencies that provide services and support to such professionals. NACTA itself was established in 1986 and is an affiliate of ASTA.

NACTA’s program runs the gamut of services from a new membership kit and lapel pin to access to NACTA’s Seminars at Sea, Land Fams, Destinationals, host and supplier webinars, the popular NACTA AgentDigest, special pricing and discounts including travel insurance from Travel Insured and access to CLIA and ASTA programs. NACTA annual dues are $95 (plus $50 for first year activation).

A gifted speaker and mentor to agents, Koepf’s goal is to make NACTA members the beneficiaries of the finest learning experiences available and to be a true support group that helps agents build their businesses and professional skills.

NACTA is for travel agents serious about their careers and who can see beyond the current economic downturn to long-term professional growth opportunities, Koepf believes. “NACTA membership rewards agents who make a true commitment of time and talent, a commitment to sharing ideas and experience and a commitment to professional growth,” he said.

Grand Bahama Island & Religious Tourism Six Goals

2009-09-06T20:29:00.000-07:00

Read full story at http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3637:gb-port-authority-president-addresses-national-empowerment-seminar&catid=33:News%20&%20Info%20about%20Grand%20Bahama&Itemid=146

The nation benefits immeasurably when Godly people gather to pray and discuss issues central to transforming the human condition. In addition, the economic benefits are potentially huge if we are minded to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors motivated by our many events and our spiritual heritage. Religious Tourism I’m told is an 18 billion dollar industry.

The Bahamas religious history, geographical location and strong spiritual foundation make us ideal for setting up multi-purpose facilities, to accommodate:

1. Small or Mega Christian conferences
2. Mega gospel concerts
3. Christian camps or retreat facilities
4. Christian cruises throughout the islands, originating in Freeport
5. Christian tours exploring Bahamian churches, religious rituals, Bahamian burials and a multi-media history of religion in the Bahamas .
6. A full Christian village that reflects Christian motifs, art, family friendly facilities and events

Rolle highlights potential of religious tourism in Grand Bahamas

2009-09-06T20:21:00.000-07:00

Article link:
http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/299644510080916.php

Some suggestions on how Grand Bahama can use its religious background to try to attract more visitors to its shores were presented by the President of the Grand Bah-ama Port Authority (GBPA) Ian Rolle on Tuesday.

Rolle was one of the speakers at Tuesday's National Empowerment Summit wh-ich was hosted by the Bah-amas Christian Council.

Pointing out that religious tourism is an $18 billion industry, the GBPA president said the economic benefits are potentially huge if the island is able to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors motivated by its many religious events and its spiritual heritage.

The Bahamas' religious history, geographical location and strong spiritual foundation make it ideal for setting up multi-purpose facilities to accommodate small or mega Christian conferences and gospel concerts, Christian camps or retreat facilities and Christian cruises throughout the islands, originating in Freeport, Rolle said.

Christian tours exploring Bahamian churches, religious rituals, Bahamian burials and a multi-media history of religion in the Bahamas and even a full Christian village that reflects Christian motifs, art, family friendly facilities and events can also be developed, he added.

Noting that the revitalization of Grand Bahama will require a collaborative effort, Rolle said the GBPA is happy to partner with the Christian Council.

"We are all in this together and with God's help we will emerge stronger as a community," he said.

The GBPA is also working with The Ministry of Tourism and The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board on several levels, he furthered, to refine, package and market the tourism product in Grand Bahama.

"Tremendous focus has been placed on making travel to our shores and the enjoyment of the product more affordable to our potential guests from around the world."

The GBPA also has as one of its goals to increase Bahamian ownership within the economy and is committed to putting the people of Grand Bahama in a position where they are the main agent determining their own success and destiny, he said.

It is understood that in order for empowerment to take place, he added, citizens must have access to information about opportunities, cha-llenges, where to go for help and what procedures they must follow to achieve their goals.

"Our people must have access to decision making bodies to weigh in on the governance of their institutions and communities. Ultimately they must have access to resources to realize their aspirations," he said.

"Daily we are working to ensure that these conditions continually improve for the families and businesses we serve. After all, it is largely the ingenuity and hard work of ordinary men and women that will stimulate and sustain industry in Grand Bahama once again."

Although these may be challenging times for Grand Bahamians, Rolle said he is confident that they can weather the storm.

He pointed out that Grand Bahama has a special mix of natural and man made features, complimented by a tax regime and skilled workforce that gives it a unique advantage in the Americas.

"Freeport, in particular, is carefully planned and its sheer size permits a mix of business enterprises to coexist," he said.

"The Grand Bahama we envision in the future will serve as a model internationally of how to construct a society that balances a high quality of life for families with an environment that is bustling with modern businesses."

As the island continues to face stiff competition in tourism, financial services, industry, technology and real estate development, residents must now, more than ever, keep abreast of global business trends, constantly upgrade their skills, and be prepared to out-think and out-work the competition.

"More than ever we need to form and join partnerships that will help us achieve some outcomes that as individuals or as organizations we have no chance of achieving alone," he said.

"Despite the challenges that we face, and those that may appear on the horizon, I'm confident that careful preparation, prudent management of resources and ability to adjust and adapt will put us all in good stead for the future."

Greg Stielstra, North America's Top Faith-based Marketing Expert to Headline World Religious Travel Expo

2009-09-01T10:03:00.001-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug 31, 2009) – One of North America’s top authorities on faith-based marketing and word-of mouth marketing will address the travel industry, for the first time ever, at the World Religious Travel Expo 2009. The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) just named Greg Stielstra, the marketing director behind The Purpose Driven Life, the fastest-selling hardcover book in American history and a faith-based marketing phenomenon, as the
headline speaker at this fall’s celebrated event. Stielstra is also best known as the author of Faith-based Marketing: The Guide to Reaching 140 Million Christian Customers (HarperCollins, 2005) and PyroMarketing: The Four Step Strategy to Ignite Customer Evangelists and Keep Them For Life (Wiley, 2009).

“We hit the jackpot in landing Greg Stielstra as the Sunday luncheon keynoter,” said WRTA President Kevin J. Wright. “The most frequently asked question by every travel provider and supplier in relation to the religious market is ‘How do we effectively reach pastors and the faith-based consumer?’ Greg will share the fascinating marketing principles behind the mega-success of The Passion of the Christ movie and The Purpose Driven Life book, and how these same
principles can and should be applied by each organization in the travel industry.”

Stielstra is an innovative thinker, speaker, consultant and author. An expert in word-of-mouth, faith-based, and social network marketing, he speaks regularly at Word of Mouth Marketing Association conference and numerous other events including AdTech New York and the prestigious Forbes CMO Summit. His work has been covered by The Economist, Advertising Age, Point Magazine, Business Week, Forbes, Wireless Age, Knowledge at Wharton, the
Wharton Leadership Journal, and the book 9 Minds on Marketing.

“People of faith are the largest, most loyal, and highest spending market segment in the United States with 140 million weekly church-goers who spend $5.1 trillion annually,” said Stielstra. “To be successful, you must first understand the religious consumer power niche—and how to effectively reach them. I will help the travel industry understand who makes up the faith community, what they want, and what it takes to appeal to them. We’ll also discuss common mistakes marketers make in dealing with the faith-based market; how to serve rather than sell to them; and what works and doesn’t work when dealing with pastors and other religious leaders. Above all, I’ll provide practical guidance for creating faith-based marketing plans that work.”

With one in four Americans expressing interest in taking a faith-based trip, and religious tourism expected to double by 2012, many travel providers and destinations have recently significantly expanded their faith-based marketing efforts including Trafalgar Tours, Globus family of brands, Collette Vacations, Faithful Holidays (division of Mayflower Tours), CIE Tours, Homeric Tours, TravelBound, Ed-Ventures Worldwide Tours, Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, the Jordan Tourist Board, Switzerland Tourism, as well as many Convention and Visitor Bureaus and other suppliers including Passport Health. WRTA is currently taking registrations for the Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most
important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations, travel professionals, and group planners from 30-plus countries.

A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association Convention ‘09, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking and access to new market opportunities.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888-255-WRTA (9782) or +1-859-219-3529 or by email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about WRTA and the Expo, visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com and http://www.wrtaexpo.com/ respectively.

Homeric Tours Launches New Faith Tours Brochure

2009-08-26T17:33:00.000-07:00

Press Release from Homeric Tours:

With the introduction of our new Faith Tours brochure evidencing our commitment to the religious audience, 2009 is indeed an exciting year for Homeric Tours. With over 40 years of experience serving the greater travel community, specializing in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Europe, it was time for Homeric Tours to distinguish its approach into this specialized area of the industry. This new brochure is a collaboration of our own research as well as the many requests that we have received over the years from our loyal group leaders. We are confident that our brochure will be well received by our existing clients as well as the marketplace as a whole.

Our new Faith Tours brochure has over 30 distinct itineraries that will help individuals achieve a better understanding of their faith, by visiting those sites significant to the beginnings of Christianity. The brochure is designed for coordinated group travel with an established group leader. However, we welcome the opportunity to work with active members of Churches, religious organizations and academic institutions looking to establish a trip within their organization. The general theme of the brochure is to promote an increase in faith oriented travel, not just enter into an existing market. We firmly believe that the Faith Based travel market is far from mature.

We feel that our brochure is unique in that it provides a broad spectrum of itineraries to choose from. In addition, not only can the itineraries be modified to suit the specific needs of your group, we can build an entire customized itinerary. Our experience as a provider of customized travel for so many years sets us apart from many of the existing participants in this industry.

We are very excited about our commitment to this niche industry and welcome the opportunity to assist members of the WRTA audience with. We invite you to visit our website where you can find additional information on our brochure, PDF versions of the brochure itself, a brochure and quote request kiosks and contact information to speak with one of our specialists. Our dedicated Faith Tours website is: http://faith.homerictours.com/ and our toll-free number is 800-223-5570. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

John A. Klados
VP Marketing & Sales

Africa Travel Association (ATA) & WRTA Renew Partnership

2009-08-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

NEW YORK, New York, August 24, 2009 – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) and the World
Religious Travel Association (WRTA) announced today the continuation of their partnership
agreement, aiming to support both organizations’ endeavors in the promotion of religious travel
trade.

“The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is excited to work with the World Religious Travel
Association (WRTA) to promote faith-based tourism to Africa,” said ATA Executive Director,
Edward Bergman. “Religious tourism is certainly a growing niche market for travelers to the
African continent and the partnership with WRTA will help us educate our membership on faithbased tourism opportunities.”

According to WRTA, religious travel and hospitality opportunities can be found across Africa in
four main ways: visiting a religious destination; attending a religious gathering; traveling for
missionary or humanitarian purposes; or leisure traveling with fellowship intent.

“Faith-based tourism attracts 300 million travelers worldwide, who spend $18 billion annually,”
said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA President. “We look forward to once again working with ATA,
especially as Africa has long served as a top destination for people of faith. In fact, among the
wide variety of travel experiences the continent offers, faith-based African safaris are quickly
becoming one of the most popular new trends in religious travel today.”

Under the new partnership agreement, ATA and its members will participate in the WRTA World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference to be held from November 14-16, 2009 in Reno, Nevada. WRTA will participate in ATA events in the United States and Africa, including ATA’s 35th Annual Congress to be held in The Gambia in May 2010.
About the Africa Travel Association (ATA).

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) was established as an international travel industry trade
association in 1975. ATA’s mission is to promote travel, tourism and transport to and within
Africa, and to strengthen intra-Africa partnerships. As the world’s premier travel industry trade association, ATA provides services to a broad range of members including: tourism, diaspora,
culture, and sports ministers, tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators,
travel trade media, public relations firms, consulting companies, non-profit organizations,
businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other organizations engaged in tourism
promotion. For more information, visit www.africatravelassociaton.org or call +1.212.447.1357.

WRTA to host Faith-based Travel Webcast with CCRA

2009-08-23T13:26:00.001-07:00

Want to register for CCRA's Webcast with WRTA? Visit http://bit.ly/WebcastCCRAFaithTravel to register. For more information about the Webcast, see below.....

Title: Learn How to Succeed in Faith-Based Travel and Cruising
Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am PDT; 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm EDT

CCRA International and the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) invite you to discover one of tourism’s hottest new markets: Faith-based travel and cruising.

Did you know one in four Americans is interested in joining a faith-based trip? And did you know 2008 served as a record year for religious tourism in Israel, Jordan, Lourdes (France), and the like? Best yet…. 2010 is expected to be another banner year in religious tourism especially with world renowned events taking place such as Oberammergau’s Passion Play, Santiago de Compostela’s Holy Year, and the unveiling of the Shroud of Turin in Italy. With world-class tour operators and cruise companies recently entering the marketplace and debuting faith-based trips and vacations, there’s never been a better time for travel agents to get involved!

Join Kevin J. Wright, President of the World Religious Travel Association and award-winning religious travel author, as he shares the 5 key steps to experiencing extraordinary success in today’s hot new market: faith-based travel and cruising. Sign up now!

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

PASTORS REPRESENTING 10 NATIONS EXPERIENCE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP IN BAHAMAS

2009-08-17T11:13:00.001-07:00

RELIGIOUS MARKET GLOBAL OUTREACH – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s Religious Market, recently took advantage of an opportunity to pitch the country’s outstanding conference and meetings facilities to a group of Pastors visiting Nassau from the United States, Cuba and even places as far flung as China, Africa, Italy and Great Britain.

The group of spiritual leaders were in attendance at a "Kingdom Leadership Conference" being held at the Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road, under the direction of renowned Bahamian spiritual leader, Pastor Miles Munroe, President and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, Nassau, Bahamas. The group of pastors representing 10 nations, were a part of a delegation of about 185 persons in attendance at the Conference.

During their visit to The Bahamas, the church leaders were given a tour of some of the Island's finest hotels and resorts, and then feted to a reception at their host hotel, The Wyndham Nassau Resort, Cable Beach. Pictured above, front center, Mr. Linville Johnson, MOT Director of Religious Market, and Dr. Myles Munroe are flanked by the Pastors.The Religious market is an $18 Billion Global Market, and the Bahamas, boasting the largest assortment of vacation spots of any tropical destination in the world, is poised to take advantage of a larger share of this growing market. No longer simply a fun vacation, the Bahamas can also offer its visitors faith and fellowship."The Bahamas...where God lives."

Linville Johnson, is available to answer questions on group needs for religious conferences, conventions, retreats etc., at ljohnson@bahamas.com. For more information on the Islands of The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com, or you can reach us at 1-800 Bahamas.

Leisure Group Travel Magazine Targeted Religious Market Coverage

2009-08-15T21:53:00.000-07:00

Leisure Group Travel Magazine Targeted Religious Market Coverage
August 13, 2009
http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com/featured-on-insite/leisure-group-travel-magazine-targeted-religious-market-coverage/

Leisure Group Travel’s August 2009 edition explores the world of religious tourism. This 100-page digital page flip e-magazine includes feature articles on group travel to Israel and a special on-site report from Cyprus by senior editor John Kloster. We also include an extensive section on Oberammergau Passion Play group tour packages for 2010 with sample itineraries from leading tour brands. Plus, check out the sneak preview of the World Religious Travel Expo coming up in November, 2009 along with news and updates from faith-based attractions and destinations.

NACTA President, Scott Koepf, Keynote Speaker at World Religious Travel Expo

2009-08-14T17:15:00.001-07:00

LEXINGTON, Ky. (August 14, 2009) – The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has named NACTA President, Scott Koepf, as keynote speaker for the final day of the World Religious Travel Expo 2009.

“We are ecstatic about Scott Koepf serving as a keynote speaker at the World Religious Travel Expo,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “As a motivational speaker and sales trainer with two decades-plus experience in the travel industry, Scott is the ideal candidate for sharing with delegates how to make 2010 their best year ever.”

Koepf is recognized as one of the leading authorities and representatives of travel agents in the industry. With more than 25 years in retail travel, Scott became president of the National Association of Career Travel Agents (NACTA) in 2008. Prior to his current position, Scott was with Sabre Holdings as general manager of the Jurni Consortium, TMA and the host Travel agency, Nexion. He opened a cruise travel agency in 1985 and in 1989 became president of Cruise Holidays International. Scott was responsible for taking the franchise company from 12 franchises to over 120. In 1991 he returned to owning an agency, which quickly became one of the top cruise selling agencies in the country.

“I am thrilled to be a keynote speaker for the WRTA Expo in Reno,” said Scott Koepf, NACTA president. “First, as a graduate of the University of Nevada in Reno, the destination will serve as a memorable homecoming. Secondly, the conference theme Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever is perfect and I will dig into how you can make that happen—even in these remarkable times. I might even slip in a few never-before-told college stories to spice things up!”

With a special partnership between WRTA and NACTA, all NACTA travel agent members are eligible for a special $35 rate to attend the World Religious Travel Expo.

The Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.

A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association’s Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, including registering for the special NACTA member travel agency rate, contact the World Religious Travel Association

Madaba gears up for religious tourism visitors with major overhaul

2009-08-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Full story at http://www.jordantimes.com/?news=19109

We are expecting to have a greater global profile,” he said, pointing out that with the Pope’s recent trip to the area, and the visit by US mayors on the sidelines of the recent mayoral conference in May, the city is becoming a leading destination for religious tourism.

Globus Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Travel Market

2009-07-26T18:46:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-26T17:46:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-21T08:36:00.000-07:00

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)

2009-07-16T14:32:00.001-07:00

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

2009-07-09T14:29:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-02T09:47:00.001-07:00

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%

2010 to be "banner year" for religious pilgrimages and celebrations

2009-06-26T18:03:00.000-07:00

The every-decade Passion Play takes place in 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany.

Santiago de Compostela to celebrate its Holy Year in 2010. An estimated 10 million pilgrims and visitors are expected.

If you are a travel provider for people of faith, be sure to integrate these itineraries into your portfolio. If you're a traveler, you might consider traveling to the Passion Play and/or Sanitago de Compostela.

World Religious Travel Expo Theme Announced: "Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever"

2009-06-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

WRTA Announces Theme of Fall Expo
“Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever”

LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 25, 2009) – The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has announced “Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever” as its official theme for this fall’s World Religious Travel Expo. The newly chosen motto will serve as the guiding principle and overall purpose of the three-day event.

“Our theme serves as an invitation to tap into the flourishing religious travel and hospitality industry,” said WRTA president, Kevin J. Wright. “We all know this is a very trying time for many companies. However, as faith tourism provides new market and revenue possibilities, the World Religious Travel Expo provides organizations with a renewed opportunity to experience their best year yet.”

Faith-based travel and hospitality has become an important new market segment for many tour operators, travel agents, destinations and suppliers in the industry. In the past year alone, the religious market has taken on even greater significance, due to its recession-proof and groups-dominated attributes. An estimated 75% of faith-based travelers prefer to travel in group settings while 80% would like to repeat their religious travel experience. Challenging times only serve to bring people of faith together in greater numbers for travel or convention purposes; providing a much needed “stimulus” to the industry.

WRTA recently opened registrations for the Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.

A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association Annual Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.

For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888-255-WRTA (9782) or +1-859-219-3529 or by email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about WRTA and the Expo, visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com and www.WRTAexpo.com respectively.

# # #

The top 10 tips for international travel (provided by Passport Health)

2009-06-21T15:19:00.000-07:00

Passport Health http://www.passporthealthusa.com

DENVER -- Michelle Reesman, RN, executive director of Passport Health Colorado, says far too many international travelers, from business travelers to the more adventurous types, leave home without taking the basic steps she suggests below. "People need to put the same kind of preparation into their health as they do into their destination choice, passport acquisition or flight plans," Reesman advises.

1. Get advice from a travel health professional. Four to six weeks before departure, consult a travel medicine specialist for the most up-to-date immunization, malaria recommendations and consultation. They can answer your questions and prepare you for a safe and healthy trip. It's important to get your immunizations early, as some of the vaccines take time to effectively protect you.

2. Protect yourself from disease-bearing insects. Wear protective clothing and use products containing 20 percent to 30 percent DEET, the insect repellant permethrin and bed nets.

3. Never go barefoot, even on the beach.

4. Make sure your water is purified. Do not use tap water when brushing your teeth.

5. Consume only well-cooked food. Fruits and veggies? Peel it, boil it or forget it!

6. Pre-fill your prescriptions, they may not be available at your destination. Take extra in case your trip is extended. In some countries counterfeit medications can be a problem. Carry medications in their original packaging and pack in your carry-on luggage.

7. Don't swim in rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. Well-chlorinated pools and salt water are usually considered safe.

8. Take a basic first aid kit. Include medications for pain relief, such as ibuprofen and Tylenol, topical preparations for minor skin wounds and infections, and medications for allergic reactions. Consider presumptive treatment (Imodium and an antibiotic) for traveler's diarrhea. Discuss the appropriate antibiotics for your destination with a travel health specialist.

9. Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of medical problems among tourists. Avoid riding motorcycles or wear a helmet and don't drink and drive. Wear a seatbelt and only travel during daylight hours.

10. Purchase travel insurance that includes emergency medical evacuation. Most medical insurance plans aren't accepted when you travel internationally.

Source: Passport Health Colorado

Marketing in times of financial crisis: Tourism recovery strategies for turbulent times

2009-06-08T09:51:00.001-07:00

BY ERAN KETTER | JUN 03, 2009

Read the full story at http://www.travelvideo.tv/news/travel-industry-info/06-03-2009/marketing-in-times-of-financial-crisis-tourism-recovery-strategies-for-turbulent-times

A common believe among tourism professionals is that the financial crisis has damaged the entire tourism industry evenly. In contrast, a closer inspection of tourism news and statistics from the last 6 months indicates that this is not always the case. Hence, while some tourism segments were severely damaged, others are demonstrating unique stability and firmness. Taken together with past crisis situations, these cases can be induced into four tourism recovery strategies that can assist tourism professionals in developing and marketing better tourism products for these turbulent times.

Religious Tourism
A recent report from Rome, Italy, indicates that tourism to the Vatican City stayed the same in spite of the crisis. That, demonstrating the devotion of the religious target audience. Similarly, Israel focused on religious tourism to keep attracting visitors during the on-going conflict in the early 2000’s. Using the slogan: “Don’t let your soul wait any longer, come visit Israel”, the country successfully addressed a well-segmented target audience that is less vulnerable to crises situations.

Millions opt for religious tourism

2009-06-08T08:17:00.001-07:00

Millions opt for religious tourism
6/6/2009

While there are no official statistics to confirm it, recent estimations have calculated that religious tourism in Portugal attracts several million tourists every year, generating around €700 million in revenue and representing 10 percent of the overall tourism in Portugal.

The lack of official figures is explained by the fact that ‘religious tourism’ (visits to places of religious interest) is not categorized as such, but is in fact classified as ‘cultural tourism’.

This has been criticized by researchers and tour operators who believe Portugal’s current Strategic Tourism Plan should be reformed to include an 11th tourism category, Religious Tourism.

Entities such as the Portuguese Tourist Board and the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) have also complained about the lack of statistics relating purely to this sector in Portugal. Kevin Wright, head of the WRTA, said “there is no specific data relating to Portugal in this sector with the exception of those relating solely to visitors to the Fatima Sanctuary”.

On a global scale, every year between 300 and 330 million people embark on a religion-based trip, which overall generates revenue of between 15 and 18 billion euros.

Portugal is believed to generate around two percent of that traffic. Of the seven million people who visit Portugal for religious purposes, around five million of those head for Fátima.

Internationally, Lourdes, in France, is one of the main religious destinations, with six million visitors every year. However the record goes to Kumbha Mela (India), whose celebrations take place every 12 years and saw 75 million people gather in 2001

To read the full article visit http://www.the-news.net/cgi-bin/google.pl?id=1013-12