August 20, 2008

World Religious Travel Expo draws 28 countries from 6 continents

World Religious Travel Expo drawing participants from 28 countries, 6 continents to Orlando
Website article link: http://www.churchexecutive.com/news.asp?N_ID=1443

LITTLETON, CO – Travel providers and planners from 28 countries on six continents will gather in Orlando, Florida, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, for the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference. With registration still underway, organizers are already preparing extra exhibit space to accommodate companies that continue to join the first large-scale forum of the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry.

Destinations, tour operators, cruise lines, attractions, hotel properties, car rental companies and a host of other providers and planners from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Europe and the Holy Land will be represented at this assembly of Who’s Who in the growing faith tourism industry.

“Faith tourism has evolved to the point where a gathering of this magnitude is necessary for the industry to respond to the needs of today’s faith-based consumers,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), host of the event. “Our global partners recognize that – just as in music, books and film – contemporary religious consumers represent tremendous market potential for travel organizations willing to provide meaningful products and services that meet their specific needs.”

The exhibitors and products show the diversity of the faith tourism industry. Alongside obvious religious travel suppliers such as the Steps of Paul Coastal Cruises and the tourism ministries of Egypt, Greece, Cyprus, Jordan and Israel, are those with a less overt connection, such as:

EcoAndes Travel, Ecuador (Adventure tours in South America)
Nissi Holidays, Uganda; Cordial Tours and Travel Services, Tanzania (Africa safari operators)
Armenian Tourism Development Agency
Korea Tourism Organization
Bahamas Ministry of Tourism
Condor Verde Travel (Mexico and Venezuela)

The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event provides a one-stop opportunity for travel suppliers, destinations and wholesalers to come face-to-face with more than 400 agents and church travel planners to develop partnerships, introduce new products and services, generate qualified leads and build long-term relationships.

The Expo will be held Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando. For more information, including a complete list of exhibitors, visit www.religioustravelexpo.com.

August 18, 2008

WRTA President to Speak at Nebraska Travel Conference

The Grand Island Independent (Nebraska)

Website: http://www.theindependent.com/news/x1806343559/Nebraska-Travel-Conference-to-explore-states-third-largest-industry

KEARNEY — The 33rd annual Nebraska Travel Conference invites the state tourism industry to come to Kearney this fall.

The conference will be Oct. 21 through 23 at the Ramada Inn and Conference Center, 301 S. Second Ave.

The conference will include educational workshops, general sessions and networking opportunities, as well as travel industry exhibitor booths displaying essential new products. Attendees will also be able to participate in the Nebraska Travel Association's Silent Auction, a fundraiser that will benefit tourism activities throughout Nebraska.

Nebraska Travel Conference to explore state's third largest industry
Other notable speakers include Kevin Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, who will give a talk titled, "Welcome to the New Era of the $18 Billion Faith Tourism Industry”.