Faith-based Marketing Revenue Secrets: Featuring Two Industry Experts
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 10:15–11:30 a.m.
Featured Speakers:
Kevin J. Wright, president, World Religious Travel Association
Greg Stielstra, author, Faith-based Marketing and Pyromarketing
An Industry First! Join Kevin J. Wright, president of NTA strategic partner the World Religious Travel Association, and Greg Stielstra, North America’s top faith-based marketing authority, as together they lead a fascinating and remarkable discussion on how to effectively work with the $18 billion faith-based market. From pilgrimages, missions and conventions to adventure trips, leisure vacations and cruises, “religious travel and hospitality” is much broader than most people think. With two industry-leading experts at the helm, Kevin and Greg will change the way you do business forever with this new clientele and revenue opportunity.
For more info about the NTA Convention and above panel, visit http://www.ntaonline.com/Convention09/
September 21, 2009
September 1, 2009
Greg Stielstra, North America's Top Faith-based Marketing Expert to Headline World Religious Travel Expo
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.
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.
August 26, 2009
Africa Travel Association (ATA) & WRTA Renew Partnership
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.
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.
August 23, 2009
WRTA to host Faith-based Travel & Cruising Webcast with CCRA
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.
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.
August 18, 2009
2nd Year of Partnering with the Africa Travel Association (ATA)
WRTA is proud to announce the 2nd year of our partnership with the Africa Travel Association (ATA).
For more information about ATA, visit http://africatravelassociation.org/ata/premier/travel_industry_event.html
For more information about ATA, visit http://africatravelassociation.org/ata/premier/travel_industry_event.html
August 17, 2009
New WRTA Webinar Released: Revenue Secrets from Faith Tourism Experts
WRTA's newest Webinar has just been released: Revenue Secrets from Faith Tourism Experts - How to Flourish in a Thriving New Market.
The Webinar also features highlights from the World Religious Travel Expo.
To view the Webinar, visit the homepage of http://www.WRTAexpo.com/
The Webinar also features highlights from the World Religious Travel Expo.
To view the Webinar, visit the homepage of http://www.WRTAexpo.com/
August 14, 2009
NACTA President, Scott Koepf, Keynote Speaker at World Religious Travel Expo
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
“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
July 10, 2009
Religious Travel Buzz Newsletter (July 10)
Lead Story: WRTA Launches e-Library with 2,500+ Faith Tourism News Stories
How would you like immediate access to more than 2,500 top news stories and articles on faith tourism from 1998 through 2008 - and all categorized for your convenience? It's now possible. WRTA has just assembled and debuted the most comprehensive, categorized database of religious travel news stories on the Internet. More than 70 categories have been assigned and classified. All WRTA Members have access to this invaluable resource.
Top News Stories from WRTA, Members, and the Religious Travel Industry
3 Major Religious Travel Events in 2010
1. Breaking News! Pope Benedict just announced: Shroud of Turin will be displayed in 2010 2. Oberammergau hosts Passion Play
3. Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela - 10 million visitors expected
News Stories featuring WRTA Members
(Member: Jordan Tourism) Following Faith
(Member: Israel Tourism) Israel declares Holy Land refocus
(Member: Passport Health) Taking the bite out of travel - Wall St. Journal
(Member: Globus) Globus Predicts Growth In Faith-Based Vacations for 2010
New Stories featuring interviews with WRTA
Religious tourism is bright spot in downturn (AME Info/Middle East News)
Pilgrims boost luxury tourism (The National/United Arab Emirates)
Following Faith (Jo Publication/Jordan)
Millions opt for religious tourism (The Portugal News Online)
NTA Convention brings Faith-based Market to Delegates (Press Release)
More News Stories in Faith Tourism
USA
Colorado: Thank God for Conventions (Coloradoan)
Florida: Holy Land Trips in Florida?
Missouri: Faithful flock to Springfield (News Leader)
North Carolina: Winston-Salem targets religious groups for tourism dollars (Fox 8 News)
The RCMA Survey: The Religious Meetings Market
INTERNATIONAL
France: Pilgrimage to Chartres (PBS)
India: Kashmir Pilgrimage gets under way
Iraq has huge potential for religious tourism
Nepal and Religious Tourism (Travel and Leisure Magazine)
Poland: Study religious tourism in Krakow
Spiritual retreats cater to the mind, body, and soul
Summer missions: A Pastor's Checklist
Turkey: Destinations to discover in Turkey
New! Special Tours, Vacations, and Events
Welcome to the newest section of Religious Travel Buzz! With each future issue of "the Buzz," WRTA will feature select tours, vacations, and events for publication. This new section will enable travel agents, planners, and other buyers to discover special deals and itineraries that exist in faith tourism. If you wish to submit a trip/event for possible publication, here are the three criteria:
• Your company must be a current WRTA Member.
• Your company must be registered as a Tour Operator, Destination, or Supplier member (Note: Travel agent and planners do not qualify)
• Your tour, vacation, or event must feature one or both of the following attributes: - Feature some form of discount or other related incentive (i.e. special commissions). - Feature a very unique itinerary, vacation, or event.
Here are this week's chosen sample trips and events:
Mission Travel Group Hosting group trips to the 3 major religious travel events in 2010
MTS Travel A Pilgrimage to England with The Order of Julian of Norwich
Royal Caribbean: Holy Land Cruise with special deals
Are You a Religious Travel Expert? Take the Faith Tourism Quiz
Want to find out if you're "cutting edge" in today's religious travel industry?
Take the short 5 question quiz below and test your expertise level.
1. Who developed the world's first escorted group travel company?
(Hint: He was a Methodist minister from England).
2. What are the two largest religious groups in the U.S. market?
3. Name three reasons and/or "motives" behind religious travel purchases.
4. (True or False question) The Seven Churches of Revelation are located in Israel.
5. (True or False question) People of faith embark on a wide variety of leisure group vacations such as cruises and safaris.
How can you find the answers to the above questions?
Review your Religious Travel Market Educational Course (only Members have access). If you haven't studied and mastered the nearly 40-page educational course on faith tourism, now is the time. All success in religious travel begins with understanding today's marketplace.
Are You Maximizing Your Member Benefits?
Fill Out Your Own Report Card
Time for report cards. How do you think you and/or your company is doing in maximizing your WRTA Membership benefits? Would you give your company an "A" for a top grade or an "F" for failing.....or something in-between? Find out by filling out your own Membership Report Card.
Expo 2009 Update: More than 50 Booths Sold! Are You Registered Yet?
Despite challenging times in the travel industry, the World Religious Travel Expo is on target for welcoming more delegates than last year's historic inaugural 2008 Expo. In the past 3 months alone, more than 50 exhibit booths have been sold. Multiple Expo sponsorships have also been sold including among others the German National Tourist Office, Leipzig Tourism and Marketing Company, Routes to Luther, Reno-Tahoe CVA, Theatre Direct International, and Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center.
If your organization has not yet registered to attend or exhibit at this celebrated event, call WRTA today and secure your spot. Best locations on the tradeshow floor are quickly disappearing along with top sponsorship opportunities.
Just for Fun - Faith Tourism Links Galore
2009 Religious Travel Buyer's Guide
Brochure: Sponsorship and Exhibitor Guide to Expo 2009
Guidebooks: The Christian Travel Planner
Guidebooks: Catholic Shrines of Western Europe
Guidebooks: Europe's Monastery & Convent Guesthouses
Guidebooks: Marian Shrines of the United StatesVideos from WRTA Members
Video: Discover the World of Faith Tourism
Video: Experience the World Religious Travel Expo
Website: World Religious Travel Expo
How would you like immediate access to more than 2,500 top news stories and articles on faith tourism from 1998 through 2008 - and all categorized for your convenience? It's now possible. WRTA has just assembled and debuted the most comprehensive, categorized database of religious travel news stories on the Internet. More than 70 categories have been assigned and classified. All WRTA Members have access to this invaluable resource.
Top News Stories from WRTA, Members, and the Religious Travel Industry
3 Major Religious Travel Events in 2010
1. Breaking News! Pope Benedict just announced: Shroud of Turin will be displayed in 2010 2. Oberammergau hosts Passion Play
3. Holy Year in Santiago de Compostela - 10 million visitors expected
News Stories featuring WRTA Members
(Member: Jordan Tourism) Following Faith
(Member: Israel Tourism) Israel declares Holy Land refocus
(Member: Passport Health) Taking the bite out of travel - Wall St. Journal
(Member: Globus) Globus Predicts Growth In Faith-Based Vacations for 2010
New Stories featuring interviews with WRTA
Religious tourism is bright spot in downturn (AME Info/Middle East News)
Pilgrims boost luxury tourism (The National/United Arab Emirates)
Following Faith (Jo Publication/Jordan)
Millions opt for religious tourism (The Portugal News Online)
NTA Convention brings Faith-based Market to Delegates (Press Release)
More News Stories in Faith Tourism
USA
Colorado: Thank God for Conventions (Coloradoan)
Florida: Holy Land Trips in Florida?
Missouri: Faithful flock to Springfield (News Leader)
North Carolina: Winston-Salem targets religious groups for tourism dollars (Fox 8 News)
The RCMA Survey: The Religious Meetings Market
INTERNATIONAL
France: Pilgrimage to Chartres (PBS)
India: Kashmir Pilgrimage gets under way
Iraq has huge potential for religious tourism
Nepal and Religious Tourism (Travel and Leisure Magazine)
Poland: Study religious tourism in Krakow
Spiritual retreats cater to the mind, body, and soul
Summer missions: A Pastor's Checklist
Turkey: Destinations to discover in Turkey
New! Special Tours, Vacations, and Events
Welcome to the newest section of Religious Travel Buzz! With each future issue of "the Buzz," WRTA will feature select tours, vacations, and events for publication. This new section will enable travel agents, planners, and other buyers to discover special deals and itineraries that exist in faith tourism. If you wish to submit a trip/event for possible publication, here are the three criteria:
• Your company must be a current WRTA Member.
• Your company must be registered as a Tour Operator, Destination, or Supplier member (Note: Travel agent and planners do not qualify)
• Your tour, vacation, or event must feature one or both of the following attributes: - Feature some form of discount or other related incentive (i.e. special commissions). - Feature a very unique itinerary, vacation, or event.
Here are this week's chosen sample trips and events:
Mission Travel Group Hosting group trips to the 3 major religious travel events in 2010
MTS Travel A Pilgrimage to England with The Order of Julian of Norwich
Royal Caribbean: Holy Land Cruise with special deals
Are You a Religious Travel Expert? Take the Faith Tourism Quiz
Want to find out if you're "cutting edge" in today's religious travel industry?
Take the short 5 question quiz below and test your expertise level.
1. Who developed the world's first escorted group travel company?
(Hint: He was a Methodist minister from England).
2. What are the two largest religious groups in the U.S. market?
3. Name three reasons and/or "motives" behind religious travel purchases.
4. (True or False question) The Seven Churches of Revelation are located in Israel.
5. (True or False question) People of faith embark on a wide variety of leisure group vacations such as cruises and safaris.
How can you find the answers to the above questions?
Review your Religious Travel Market Educational Course (only Members have access). If you haven't studied and mastered the nearly 40-page educational course on faith tourism, now is the time. All success in religious travel begins with understanding today's marketplace.
Are You Maximizing Your Member Benefits?
Fill Out Your Own Report Card
Time for report cards. How do you think you and/or your company is doing in maximizing your WRTA Membership benefits? Would you give your company an "A" for a top grade or an "F" for failing.....or something in-between? Find out by filling out your own Membership Report Card.
Expo 2009 Update: More than 50 Booths Sold! Are You Registered Yet?
Despite challenging times in the travel industry, the World Religious Travel Expo is on target for welcoming more delegates than last year's historic inaugural 2008 Expo. In the past 3 months alone, more than 50 exhibit booths have been sold. Multiple Expo sponsorships have also been sold including among others the German National Tourist Office, Leipzig Tourism and Marketing Company, Routes to Luther, Reno-Tahoe CVA, Theatre Direct International, and Hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center.
If your organization has not yet registered to attend or exhibit at this celebrated event, call WRTA today and secure your spot. Best locations on the tradeshow floor are quickly disappearing along with top sponsorship opportunities.
Just for Fun - Faith Tourism Links Galore
2009 Religious Travel Buyer's Guide
Brochure: Sponsorship and Exhibitor Guide to Expo 2009
Guidebooks: The Christian Travel Planner
Guidebooks: Catholic Shrines of Western Europe
Guidebooks: Europe's Monastery & Convent Guesthouses
Guidebooks: Marian Shrines of the United StatesVideos from WRTA Members
Video: Discover the World of Faith Tourism
Video: Experience the World Religious Travel Expo
Website: World Religious Travel Expo
June 28, 2009
Religious Travel set for "banner year" of special celebrations
Religious Tourism is expected to have banner year in 2010. Many celebrations and events are taking place at shrines and pilgrimage places around the world. The following are amonng the top 3 religious events and celebrations in 2010:
(GERMANY) The every-decade Passion Play takes place in 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany.
(SPAIN) Santiago de Compostela to celebrate its Holy Year in 2010. An estimated 10 million pilgrims and visitors are expected.
(ITALY)The Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ, is scheduled for the first time in 10 years to be displayed for the public in 2010.
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, Sanitago de Compostela, or to Italy to see the Shroud of Turin.
(GERMANY) The every-decade Passion Play takes place in 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany.
(SPAIN) Santiago de Compostela to celebrate its Holy Year in 2010. An estimated 10 million pilgrims and visitors are expected.
(ITALY)The Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ, is scheduled for the first time in 10 years to be displayed for the public in 2010.
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, Sanitago de Compostela, or to Italy to see the Shroud of Turin.
June 25, 2009
WRTA Announces Expo Theme: "Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever"
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.
# # #
“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.
# # #
June 23, 2009
New printing of Catholic Shrines of Western Europe just released
An updated version and printing of Liguori's Catholic Shrines of Western Europe - A Pilgrim's Travel Guide, was just released. It features a beautiful new book cover with a photo of the Basilica of Assisi (Italy), as well as provides fully updated contact info, websites, and email addresses for the shrines. In addition, a new section on how to build a travel ministry is included. The new version can be purchaed direct from Liguori publications. For more info or to buy your copy today, call Liguori at (800) 325-9521 or click here http://www.liguori.org/productdetails.cfm?sku=801020
June 21, 2009
Spotlight on Members: Travelbound, McAllen CVB, Ed-Ventures, Decatur Travel Agency
WRTA's (Month of June) Featured Spotlight Members - Meeting the 'Who's Who' in Faith Tourism
- Travel Bound
- McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Ed-Ventures, Inc
- Decatur Travel Agency
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Bound
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Selling exclusively to the travel trade, Travel Bound is a leading wholesale FIT and group tour operator, offering more than 90,000 hotel rooms every night in over 110 countries worldwide plus a wide range of sightseeing tours, excursions, transfers and other travel services.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Offering flexible tours to a wide variety of religious destinations to all religious faiths.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
Besides Hotel and services, Travel Bound can arrange religious services as part of the tour experience.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
As a brand of GTA by Travelport, Travel Bound maintains a global network of over 25 offices to ensure local coordination and assistance.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
The Travel Bound team comprises of 21 different nationalities spread across all continents around the global. All staff are highly knowledgeable and well travelled to the destinations on offer to the religious tour operator.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
Flexibility - Travel Bound is flexible to the needs of every group. We have a wide database of contracts and can adapt any pre-set tour to suit the needs of any religious group.
Contact Information
Tommy Ryder
Director
Travel Bound
Email: tommy.ryder@gta-travel.com
Tel: 212-376-5413
www.booktravelbound.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
The McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready to make your next stay or meeting a positive and memorable experience.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
We assist religious conventions with various complimentary incentives if 500 room nights are booked at McAllen hotels while utilizing the New McAllen Convention Center.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
If they qualify, we would offer an array of awesome incentives.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
Great weather, wonderful restaurants, and airport is 3 minutes from the New McAllen Convention Center.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We are friendly, hard-working, and ready to assist in the planning of your next event in McAllen, "The Texas Tropics".
Contact Information
Ernesto D. Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
Email: ernie@mcallencvb.com
Tel 956-240-8033
www.mcallencvb.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed-Ventures, Inc.
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Ed-Ventures is a family owned and operated company specializing in worldwide tours with a purpose.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Ed-Ventures has been customizing tours for operators and travel agents for over 30 years. In recent years our focus has shifted to faith-based travel with a special emphasis on the Passion Play, Footsteps of Paul, the Holy Land and Egypt, and the Reformation era. We have also arranged travel and volunteer opportunities for mission groups in Central America and pilgrimages to Italy and other destinations.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
We are operating many tours to the Oberammergau Passion Play, Foot Steps of Paul, Egypt, Rome, the Holy Land, and the lands of the Reformers. In addition, we are cooperating on the promotion of university classes on the Sea of Galilee and have operated several tours to Catholic World Youth Day.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
Our advantage in the marketplace lies in the relationships we have established throughout the world. Our office staff is diverse in church affiliations and active within their churches. Most of our twelve member staff are bi-lingual and all are sensitive to cross-cultural and inter-religious issues. We have contacts in several countries that have approached us about promotion of faith based travel.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
Our company is special because of our staff. They are culturally informed due to the fact that 98% of our tours are international. Most of our staff are bilingual and 50% have spent extended time in foreign lands. Our approach to travel arrangements is collaborative. We view the planning process as a dialogue between us, our travel partners, and our suppliers. In so doing, we can make special things happen. A tour becomes a life-changing experience. It is our goal that those who travel with Ed-Ventures learn not only from "ancient stones," but from "living stones."
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We would like them to know we are a company of integrity. What you see is what you get! What we promise is what you will receive!
Contact Information
Paul Larsen
Vice President
Ed-Ventures, Inc.
pcl@ed-ventures.com
Tel 800-658-7128
www.ed-ventures.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decatur Travel Agency
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Our clients are my priority to plan their dream vacations.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Getting involved in our community.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
We speak different language, world travelers and have many years experience in the travel industry.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We are patient and trustworthy.
Contact Information
Luz I. Rosario
Travel Agent Group Planner Specialist
Decatur Travel Agency
Email: prbon1414@aol.com
Tel: 404.308.9501
http://decaturtravelagency.com/
- Travel Bound
- McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Ed-Ventures, Inc
- Decatur Travel Agency
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Bound
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Selling exclusively to the travel trade, Travel Bound is a leading wholesale FIT and group tour operator, offering more than 90,000 hotel rooms every night in over 110 countries worldwide plus a wide range of sightseeing tours, excursions, transfers and other travel services.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Offering flexible tours to a wide variety of religious destinations to all religious faiths.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
Besides Hotel and services, Travel Bound can arrange religious services as part of the tour experience.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
As a brand of GTA by Travelport, Travel Bound maintains a global network of over 25 offices to ensure local coordination and assistance.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
The Travel Bound team comprises of 21 different nationalities spread across all continents around the global. All staff are highly knowledgeable and well travelled to the destinations on offer to the religious tour operator.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
Flexibility - Travel Bound is flexible to the needs of every group. We have a wide database of contracts and can adapt any pre-set tour to suit the needs of any religious group.
Contact Information
Tommy Ryder
Director
Travel Bound
Email: tommy.ryder@gta-travel.com
Tel: 212-376-5413
www.booktravelbound.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
The McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau is ready to make your next stay or meeting a positive and memorable experience.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
We assist religious conventions with various complimentary incentives if 500 room nights are booked at McAllen hotels while utilizing the New McAllen Convention Center.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
If they qualify, we would offer an array of awesome incentives.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
Great weather, wonderful restaurants, and airport is 3 minutes from the New McAllen Convention Center.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We are friendly, hard-working, and ready to assist in the planning of your next event in McAllen, "The Texas Tropics".
Contact Information
Ernesto D. Arredondo
Director of Sales
McAllen Convention & Visitors Bureau
Email: ernie@mcallencvb.com
Tel 956-240-8033
www.mcallencvb.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ed-Ventures, Inc.
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Ed-Ventures is a family owned and operated company specializing in worldwide tours with a purpose.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Ed-Ventures has been customizing tours for operators and travel agents for over 30 years. In recent years our focus has shifted to faith-based travel with a special emphasis on the Passion Play, Footsteps of Paul, the Holy Land and Egypt, and the Reformation era. We have also arranged travel and volunteer opportunities for mission groups in Central America and pilgrimages to Italy and other destinations.
What specific products and/or services does your organization provide for faith-based travelers, groups and organizations?
We are operating many tours to the Oberammergau Passion Play, Foot Steps of Paul, Egypt, Rome, the Holy Land, and the lands of the Reformers. In addition, we are cooperating on the promotion of university classes on the Sea of Galilee and have operated several tours to Catholic World Youth Day.
What is your organization's competitive advantage in the marketplace, and more specifically, within religious travel?
Our advantage in the marketplace lies in the relationships we have established throughout the world. Our office staff is diverse in church affiliations and active within their churches. Most of our twelve member staff are bi-lingual and all are sensitive to cross-cultural and inter-religious issues. We have contacts in several countries that have approached us about promotion of faith based travel.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
Our company is special because of our staff. They are culturally informed due to the fact that 98% of our tours are international. Most of our staff are bilingual and 50% have spent extended time in foreign lands. Our approach to travel arrangements is collaborative. We view the planning process as a dialogue between us, our travel partners, and our suppliers. In so doing, we can make special things happen. A tour becomes a life-changing experience. It is our goal that those who travel with Ed-Ventures learn not only from "ancient stones," but from "living stones."
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We would like them to know we are a company of integrity. What you see is what you get! What we promise is what you will receive!
Contact Information
Paul Larsen
Vice President
Ed-Ventures, Inc.
pcl@ed-ventures.com
Tel 800-658-7128
www.ed-ventures.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Decatur Travel Agency
If you could summarize your organization in one sentence, what would it be?
Our clients are my priority to plan their dream vacations.
How is your organization involved in religious travel and hospitality?
Getting involved in our community.
Tell us about the "people behind your organization." What makes your personnel among the best in the industry for both the travel trade and consumers to work with?
We speak different language, world travelers and have many years experience in the travel industry.
If there is one thing about your organization that you would like for every travel professional and planner to know about (and remember you by), what would it be?
We are patient and trustworthy.
Contact Information
Luz I. Rosario
Travel Agent Group Planner Specialist
Decatur Travel Agency
Email: prbon1414@aol.com
Tel: 404.308.9501
http://decaturtravelagency.com/
New "Discover the World of Faith Tourism" video released on YOU TUBE
WRTA released in June its new video on YOU TUBE: "Discover the World of Faith Tourism". To view the video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcElYcOxVrc
June 3, 2009
World Religious Travel Expo video released
WRTA just released its inspriational World Relgious Travel Expo video on YOU TUBE. It can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c25vbpwqQ1o
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