January 31, 2010

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

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

January 21, 2010

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

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

January 20, 2010

WRTA Statement on Haiti

Statement Link: http://bit.ly/WRTAHaiti

Jan 20, 2010
WRTA Statement on Haiti


The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) expresses its solidarity with and condolences to the people of Haiti, especially in the wake of the country’s recent earthquake, devastation, and loss of life. WRTA, which serves as the voice of religious travel, is keenly aware that Haiti’s recovery and reconstruction process will be ongoing in the coming days, months, and years. For this reason, WRTA calls on faith-based organizations, communities, and individuals, as well as the religious travel industry at large, to generously respond to these efforts especially through the financial support of and/or participation in missionary travel, humanitarian relief, and voluntourism (volunteer vacations) to Haiti.

January 14, 2010

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

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.

January 11, 2010

Religious Travel Top 10 Travel Trend (USA TODAY)

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