As I recently reported, the Holy Land Experience was recently purchased (in June) by Trinity Broadcasting. The results are already coming in and the biblical theme park is experiencing a healthy 25% increase in visitors.
To read the whole story visit http://www.todaysthv.com/news/news.aspx?storyid=49905
July 28, 2007
Latest news/updates on Polish pilgrim crash
Here are some of the latest stories on the Polish pilgrim crash:
* France's prime minister promises safety checks on steep roads after deadly bus crash
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/25/europe/EU-GEN-France-Bus-Crash.php
* Families of Polish pilgrims killed in bus crash arrive in France
http://www.pr-inside.com/families-of-polish-pilgrims-killed-in-r181756.htm
* Rolling Stones donating share of Polish concert proceeds to bus crash fund
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=85689
* Pope prays for Polish crash victims
http://www.ttc.org/200707241518.l6ofi6b15950.htm
* France's prime minister promises safety checks on steep roads after deadly bus crash
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/25/europe/EU-GEN-France-Bus-Crash.php
* Families of Polish pilgrims killed in bus crash arrive in France
http://www.pr-inside.com/families-of-polish-pilgrims-killed-in-r181756.htm
* Rolling Stones donating share of Polish concert proceeds to bus crash fund
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=85689
* Pope prays for Polish crash victims
http://www.ttc.org/200707241518.l6ofi6b15950.htm
July 24, 2007
Motorcoach carrying Catholic Polish pilgrims crashes near La Salette Shrine in France
Polish pilgrimage bus accident near La Salette Shrine
July 22, 2007
This past weekend a motorcoach carrying about 50 Catholic Polish pilgrims crashed near the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps. It has received news coverage around the world and both the French and Polish presidents have flown to the site. To learn more visit any of these website articles: *
* Forbes http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/07/22/afx3938905.html
* Poland News: http://www.poland.pl/news/article,Poland_mourns_victims_of_fatal_crash_in_France,id,286489.htm
* Austalia: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22122794-663,00.html
* World news: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070723.wpilgrims0723/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070723.wpilgrims0723
P.S. The beginning of the Forbes story is listed below
GRENOBLE, France (Thomson Financial) - Twenty-six people were killed Sunday when a coach carrying Polish pilgrims skidded out of control and into a ravine in the French Alps, emergency services said.
Twenty-four people were injured, 14 of them seriously.
The coach, with 48 passengers and two drivers on board, was going down a steep and winding road between Gap (nyse: GPS - news - people ) and Grenoble when it had problems with its brakes at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT) near the town of Vizille, officials said. The party, mostly elderly and from the Szczecin region of northeast Poland, was returning from the Roman Catholic shrine of Notre Dame de la Salette, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to two children in 1846.
July 22, 2007
This past weekend a motorcoach carrying about 50 Catholic Polish pilgrims crashed near the Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in the French Alps. It has received news coverage around the world and both the French and Polish presidents have flown to the site. To learn more visit any of these website articles: *
* Forbes http://www.forbes.com/business/feeds/afx/2007/07/22/afx3938905.html
* Poland News: http://www.poland.pl/news/article,Poland_mourns_victims_of_fatal_crash_in_France,id,286489.htm
* Austalia: http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22122794-663,00.html
* World news: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070723.wpilgrims0723/BNStory/International/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070723.wpilgrims0723
P.S. The beginning of the Forbes story is listed below
GRENOBLE, France (Thomson Financial) - Twenty-six people were killed Sunday when a coach carrying Polish pilgrims skidded out of control and into a ravine in the French Alps, emergency services said.
Twenty-four people were injured, 14 of them seriously.
The coach, with 48 passengers and two drivers on board, was going down a steep and winding road between Gap (nyse: GPS - news - people ) and Grenoble when it had problems with its brakes at around 9:30 am (0730 GMT) near the town of Vizille, officials said. The party, mostly elderly and from the Szczecin region of northeast Poland, was returning from the Roman Catholic shrine of Notre Dame de la Salette, where the Virgin Mary is believed to have appeared to two children in 1846.
July 14, 2007
Upcoming national conferences for church travel groups & planners
Mark your calendars! Upcoming national conference for church travel groups & planners
The annual Going on Faith Travel Conference takes place this August 16-18 in Louisville, Kentucky (at the Galt House Hotel). The conference provides a venue for church travel planners to meet with travel suppliers and tourism companies (i.e. tour operators, travel agencies, etc.). The three day conference enables faith-based travel leaders and organizers to learn about new vacation opportunities and travel destinations, as well as to meet face-to-face with the travel industry. Space is limited to the first 100 church leaders; to book your reservation as a church travel planner or travel supplier, call Teresa at 1-800-628-0993 or register online at www.gofconference.com. I myself will be delivering the keynote address, while other major travel and tourism companies will be present including Globus.
The annual Going on Faith Travel Conference takes place this August 16-18 in Louisville, Kentucky (at the Galt House Hotel). The conference provides a venue for church travel planners to meet with travel suppliers and tourism companies (i.e. tour operators, travel agencies, etc.). The three day conference enables faith-based travel leaders and organizers to learn about new vacation opportunities and travel destinations, as well as to meet face-to-face with the travel industry. Space is limited to the first 100 church leaders; to book your reservation as a church travel planner or travel supplier, call Teresa at 1-800-628-0993 or register online at www.gofconference.com. I myself will be delivering the keynote address, while other major travel and tourism companies will be present including Globus.
Globus family of brands becomes WRTA Partner member
Globus family of brands becomes WRTA Partner member
Globus, one of the world’s leading escorted tour operators, joined the World Religious Travel Association as a Partner member in June. In addition, the entire Globus family of brands has become a member as well including Cosmos, Avalon Waterways, Brennan Vacations, and Monograms. Globus was the first world-class tour operator to launch a fully dedicated religious travel division and brochure, and has quickly established itself as a pre-eminent faith vacations leader. Avalon Waterways is featuring this winter a Christmastime Christian European river cruise; click here for more details. To learn more about Globus’ religious travel tours visit www.globusfaith.com or call 1-877-797-8793.
Globus, one of the world’s leading escorted tour operators, joined the World Religious Travel Association as a Partner member in June. In addition, the entire Globus family of brands has become a member as well including Cosmos, Avalon Waterways, Brennan Vacations, and Monograms. Globus was the first world-class tour operator to launch a fully dedicated religious travel division and brochure, and has quickly established itself as a pre-eminent faith vacations leader. Avalon Waterways is featuring this winter a Christmastime Christian European river cruise; click here for more details. To learn more about Globus’ religious travel tours visit www.globusfaith.com or call 1-877-797-8793.
Looking personally for a job in faith-based tourism?
Looking personally for a job in faith-based tourism?
If you are personally seeking a job in faith-based travel, how can you get the word out about you? You can post your resume or profile to the Job Market section of the WRTA website at http://www.religioustravelassociation.com/directory_jobs.html. To do this, simply send an email to WRTA along with your resume (and any other pertinent information), and ask for your profile to be posted to the WRTA Job Market webpage.
If you are personally seeking a job in faith-based travel, how can you get the word out about you? You can post your resume or profile to the Job Market section of the WRTA website at http://www.religioustravelassociation.com/directory_jobs.html. To do this, simply send an email to WRTA along with your resume (and any other pertinent information), and ask for your profile to be posted to the WRTA Job Market webpage.
July 7, 2007
Nassau Guardian: Faith a Huge Tourist Market
July 2007 article in Nassau Guardian (Bahamas Newspaper)
Faith a Huge Tourist Market
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/bixex/293681505596424.php
By TERENCE MURRELL, Guardian Business Editor
tmurrell@nasguard.com
The Bahamas is among a group of nations that have embarked on new marketing initiatives to develop a faith/religious tourism niche, a market that facilitates 330 million religious travelers and generates $18 billion annually.
The jurisdiction, which recently became a charter member of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), is one of the few countries in the world with a dedicated religious travel department. The WRTA was formed in January 2007 to establish, develop and expand faith-based vacations as a key component in the global tourism trade. Faith-based travel is one of the fastest growing travel segments, according to the World Travel Organization (WTO).
WRTA officers recently met with Neko Grant, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of the Religious Market for the Bahamas Tourist Office, to discuss the country's efforts toward developing religious tourism.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Religious/Faith department is pleased to be a charter member of the World Religious Travel Association," said Grant. "In this new partnership we look forward to WRTA assisting us in delivering our message to our key audience, and it is our hope that through our association with this organization that the number of religious/faith meetings, conferences, conventions and retreats to The Islands Of The Bahamas will increase substantially."
Cyprus, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey and India are some of the nations which have embarked on new marketing ventures, along with The Bahamas, to attract faith-based travelers, particularly those from the North American market.
Of the $18 billion generated globally in the faith-based tourism sub-sector, roughly $10 billion is generated in the United States. The Travel Industry Association of America recently released survey findings which noted that 25% of travelers expressed an interest in taking a spiritual vacation, such as a religious retreat or a pilgrimage. The survey further reveled that that the appeal of a spiritual vacation spans the ages, with approximately one-third of each age group (18 – 34 years old, 35 – 54 years old and 55+) expressing an interest in embarking on such a vacation.
"We are delighted the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has joined us as a charter member, and it is a privilege to provide them with a framework to help increase awareness of their destination among faith-based travelers," said Kevin J. Wright, founder and Executive Director of WRTA. "The travel and tourism industry is responding to the clout of this built-in affinity group of 330 million vacationers, and tourism boards are wisely taking a long-term view to establish and develop their brand within this very lucrative tourism segment."
Faith a Huge Tourist Market
http://www.thenassauguardian.com/bixex/293681505596424.php
By TERENCE MURRELL, Guardian Business Editor
tmurrell@nasguard.com
The Bahamas is among a group of nations that have embarked on new marketing initiatives to develop a faith/religious tourism niche, a market that facilitates 330 million religious travelers and generates $18 billion annually.
The jurisdiction, which recently became a charter member of the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA), is one of the few countries in the world with a dedicated religious travel department. The WRTA was formed in January 2007 to establish, develop and expand faith-based vacations as a key component in the global tourism trade. Faith-based travel is one of the fastest growing travel segments, according to the World Travel Organization (WTO).
WRTA officers recently met with Neko Grant, Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of the Religious Market for the Bahamas Tourist Office, to discuss the country's efforts toward developing religious tourism.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Religious/Faith department is pleased to be a charter member of the World Religious Travel Association," said Grant. "In this new partnership we look forward to WRTA assisting us in delivering our message to our key audience, and it is our hope that through our association with this organization that the number of religious/faith meetings, conferences, conventions and retreats to The Islands Of The Bahamas will increase substantially."
Cyprus, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey and India are some of the nations which have embarked on new marketing ventures, along with The Bahamas, to attract faith-based travelers, particularly those from the North American market.
Of the $18 billion generated globally in the faith-based tourism sub-sector, roughly $10 billion is generated in the United States. The Travel Industry Association of America recently released survey findings which noted that 25% of travelers expressed an interest in taking a spiritual vacation, such as a religious retreat or a pilgrimage. The survey further reveled that that the appeal of a spiritual vacation spans the ages, with approximately one-third of each age group (18 – 34 years old, 35 – 54 years old and 55+) expressing an interest in embarking on such a vacation.
"We are delighted the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has joined us as a charter member, and it is a privilege to provide them with a framework to help increase awareness of their destination among faith-based travelers," said Kevin J. Wright, founder and Executive Director of WRTA. "The travel and tourism industry is responding to the clout of this built-in affinity group of 330 million vacationers, and tourism boards are wisely taking a long-term view to establish and develop their brand within this very lucrative tourism segment."
Current Religious Travel/Tourism media stories
Here are a couple of stories currently circulating in the media regarding Religious travel and tourism:
Traveling in the Holy Land Sill OK http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/travel/stories/MYSA062407.3L.holyland.1b6a79e.html
Embracing the World: The Church and Global Mission in the 21st Century
http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=6573
A Pilgrimage to Peace with Diabetes (Santiago de Compostela)
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/07/06/5299.html
Journey in Christ
http://www.timesuniononline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=224&ArticleID=26642&TM=68593.66
Traveling in the Holy Land Sill OK http://www.mysanantonio.com/salife/travel/stories/MYSA062407.3L.holyland.1b6a79e.html
Embracing the World: The Church and Global Mission in the 21st Century
http://www.baptiststandard.com/postnuke/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=6573
A Pilgrimage to Peace with Diabetes (Santiago de Compostela)
http://www.diabeteshealth.com/read/2007/07/06/5299.html
Journey in Christ
http://www.timesuniononline.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=224&ArticleID=26642&TM=68593.66
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