Special Religious Tourism News Announcement: Leisure Group Travel

Religious Tourism
A New Era, A Dynamic Industry

Expanded Religious Market Coverage & Opportunities for 2008
(see details below)

Two special sections featured - February & August November 15, 2007

Willowbrook, Ill...In support of the growing popularity of $18-billion global religious travel marketplace, Leisure Group Travel magazine, the leading group travel publication in North America, is making a major investment by expanding its religious travel coverage in 2008.
The magazine commissioned world-renowned religious travel expert, and founder of the World Religious Travel Association, Kevin Wright to create the most comprehensive analysis of the religious travel market to date. Mr. Wright's article, titled "Religious Tourism: A New Era, A Dynamic Industry" appears in Leisure Group Travel's 2008 Industry Forecast edition published this month. It outlines the many opportunities that are available to group tour planners, destinations and suppliers that are trying to capture their share of this burgeoning marketplace. (Click here to read the entire article "Religious Tourism: A New Era, A Dynamic Industry")

Expanded 2008 Editorial Coverage
For 2008, Leisure Group Travel has commissioned two special supplements on Religious Travel in February and August. February's edition includes coverage of the Globus Religious Travel Symposium, plus market updates on destinations and events prevalent in the religious travel industry. In August, Leisure Group Travel will feature pre-show coverage of the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo, to be held in Orlando, October 2008.
Though the magazine's religious editorial coverage is expanding, Leisure Group Travel is not a newcomer to the religious travel market. Jeff Gayduk, publisher of Leisure Group Travel explains, "Back in 2003, we started to see a noticeable up-tick in the number of churches and religious organizations that were running group travel programs. We set out a plan to identify these organizations offered them a subscription. Through that effort, we were able to amass more than 3,000 religious-oriented travel groups to Leisure Group Travel's nationwide subscription base. Add that to our existing tour operators, travel agents and bus companies that serve the religious market, and we have more qualified circulation than any market competitor."
Gayduk adds that even though the word "religious" doesn't appear on the firm's masthead, that doesn't mean the magazine isn't of appeal to religious groups. "As our studies show, and Mr. Wright articulated in his article, religious groups are running the same type of group trips and retreats that other market sectors do. Whereas in years past, churches ran travel pilgrimages to validate faith, now they are developing travel programs as a social outlet, a way to tie members closer together." Gayduk continued, "Our readers from the religious segment find our articles beneficial, knowing that they may take extra time to explore their faith while on tour or retreat."
Suppliers looking to reach religious group travel planners can see for themselves how exposure in Leisure Group Travel will directly connect them with religious groups from coast-to-coast - making this religious group marketing vehicle the best value for their advertising dollar. Special two-insertion package rates have been established for the religious travel supplements in February and August, with rates from $1,550.
(Click here to read the entire article "Religious Tourism: A New Era, A Dynamic Industry")

Special Note:
WRTA Members receive a special discount when advertising with Leisure Group Travel. Ask about this when contacting Leisure Group Travel.

Religious tourism playing a key role in Iraq

Religious tourism is playing a role in Iraq To read the full story visit:
http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/07/11/24/10169835.html

Excerpt from the article: The number of Iranian pilgrims to Karbala has been growing since the Iraqi government opened the border to them. The city has been traditionally closer to Iranian hearts and many of them have been setting up businesses there.

Expanded Religious Market Coverage - Leisure Group Travel

Expanded Religious Market Coverage for '08 Leisure Group Travel
Two special sections featured - February & August 2008

Willowbrook, Ill...In support of the growing popularity of $18-billion global religious travel marketplace, Leisure Group Travel magazine, the leading group travel publication in North America, is making a major investment by expanding its religious travel coverage in 2008.
The magazine commissioned world-renowned religious travel expert, and founder of the World Religious Travel Association, Kevin Wright to create the most comprehensive analysis of the religious travel market to date. Mr. Wright's article, titled "Religious Tourism: A New Era, A Dynamic Industry" appears in Leisure Group Travel's 2008 Industry Forecast edition published this month. It outlines the many opportunities that are available to group tour planners, destinations and suppliers that are trying to capture their share of this burgeoning marketplace. (Read entire article)

Expanded 2008 Editorial Coverage
For 2008, Leisure Group Travel has commissioned two special supplements on Religious Travel in February and August. February's edition includes coverage of the Globus Religious Travel Symposium, plus market updates on destinations and events prevalent in the religious travel industry. In August, Leisure Group Travel will feature pre-show coverage of the inaugural World Religious Travel Expo, to be held in Orlando, October 2008.
Though the magazine's religious editorial coverage is expanding, Leisure Group Travel is not a newcomer to the religious travel market. Jeff Gayduk, publisher of Leisure Group Travel explains, "Back in 2003, we started to see a noticeable up-tick in the number of churches and religious organizations that were running group travel programs. We set out a plan to identify these organizations offered them a subscription. Through that effort, we were able to amass more than 3,000 religious-oriented travel groups to Leisure Group Travel's nationwide subscription base. Add that to our existing tour operators, travel agents and bus companies that serve the religious market, and we have more qualified circulation than any market competitor."
Gayduk adds that even though the word "religious" doesn't appear on the firm's masthead, that doesn't mean the magazine isn't of appeal to religious groups. "As our studies show, and Mr. Wright articulated in his article, religious groups are running the same type of group trips and retreats that other market sectors do. Whereas in years past, churches ran travel pilgrimages to validate faith, now they are developing travel programs as a social outlet, a way to tie members closer together." Gayduk continued, "Our readers from the religious segment find our articles beneficial, knowing that they may take extra time to explore their faith while on tour or retreat."
Suppliers looking to reach religious group travel planners can see for themselves how exposure in Leisure Group Travel will directly connect them with religious groups from coast-to-coast - making this religious group marketing vehicle the best value for their advertising dollar. Special two-insertion package rates have been established for the religious travel supplements in February and August, with rates from $1,550.

About Leisure Group Travel

Leisure Group Travel is the leading print and online publication serving the group travel industry. With a circulation of 20,000, Leisure Group Travel is the only publication that reaches all core market segments, including fast growing affinity and niche markets like religious tourism. The magazine's industry exclusive advertising guarantee assures that all advertisers receive qualified leads.

For more information about Leisure Group Travel's religious travel supplements, contact the firm at 630-794-0696.

UN studies sustainable religious tourism

TravelMONITOR
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/05Nov2007_biz36.php

UN studies sustainable religious tourism
IMTIAZ MUQBIL

With millions of people now on the move for "religious tourism," the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has begun to turn its attention towards studying and analysing the issues related to its sustainability.


The growth of interest in the Buddhist circuit is one aspect of this phenomena which covers two kinds of travellers: those who travel specifically for religious purposes such as a pilgrimage and those who travel for other purposes but include visits to religious monuments as part of their trip.


Last week, UNWTO with the support of the Spanish government, organised an "International Conference on Tourism, Religions and Dialogue of Cultures" to expand the level of discourse into areas that have long been neglected because they were considered too politically and culturally sensitive.


However, the conference theme reflected a growing realisation that the borderline between geopolitical conflict and cultural/religious divisions is no longer definable.


The issue is also considered a normal progression of travel lifestyle trends which are now at the "health and wellness" stage but rapidly ascending into what the UNWTO calls the "spiritual stage."


According to UNWTO deputy secretary Taleb Rifai, a former tourism minister of Jordan and a principal mover behind the conference, "Trips for religious reasons have multiplied over the past decades _ for pilgrimage, the fulfillment of pledges, religious celebrations, visits to notable buildings or monuments of a religious nature and offerings to divinities, among others."


Thus, says Dr Rifai, "it is therefore important and highly opportune to study the relationships between tourism and religion, especially during this century of increasing tourism movements and in a world with no shortage of international tensions, tensions that in many cases are the result of a lack of understanding among different civilisations and religions."


The conference brought together representatives of tourism, cultural, and economic development administrations, as well as religious authorities, local and regional destination management organizations, the private sector, NGOs involved in religious and cultural tourism and academics.


Cordoba was chosen as the venue because of the role it has played as a historic confluence of Islamic, Christian and Jewish traditions.


Although the conference had a distinctly European/Mediterranean flavour, Dr Rifai said it had opened the way for future conferences to be broadened to reflect issues in Asia, Africa and Latin America, as well as for each of the respective regions to discuss the potential amongst themselves.


Said Dr Rifai, "Religious tourism is practiced to a considerable degree not only in the developed countries, but also in developing countries insofar as disposable income allows the upper and middle classes to travel. In this 21st century in search of values, religious and spiritual tourism can represent a great opportunity for men and women of all faiths, philosophies and religions."


Dr Rifai said that many destinations are already grappling with issues related to the sustainable development of religious tourism such as the measurement and the management of the flow of persons during mega-events, the maintenance, rehabilitation and environmental management of religious and cultural monuments, as well as health, safety and security of the visitors themselves.


One of the many fascinating case studies presented was a pilgrimage route and tourism itinerary, the "Abraham Path" launched in the spring of 2007 by the Global Negotiation Project at Harvard University.


Like the Silk Road, this initiative traces through various countries in the Middle East, the steps of Abraham, considered the ancestor of the three main monotheistic religions.


A report prepared for the conference says, "Globalisation has opened up religious tourism to a process of commercialisation, transforming it into "marketable product" which it was not in its beginnings.


Pilgrims in the olden days were exempt from taxes and toll levies; it was not necessary to pay to enter 'houses of God'.


"This kind of tourism also involves overlapping markets: that of spirituality, physical and mental health, leisure activities, culture, short stays and city-breaks. Its demographic base is considerable."


The report says that a series of operational problems are emerging that can have a negative impact on the sustainability of facilities, the areas travelled on, and above all, on heritage.


Says the report, "Pilgrimage routes and religious itineraries require well-coordinated partnerships among the communities along the way, host communities, tourism professionals and territorial development authorities. Specialised agencies are being created or are reorienting their activities around religious and spiritual tourism."


It says that tourism destinations have adopted or are in the process of adopting plans or strategies for the sustainable tourism development of their religious heritage.


Tourism offices are establishing divisions specifically to better coordinate potential religious tourism partners.
http://www.bangkokpost.com/Business/05Nov2007_biz36.php

One challenge is to reconcile the commercial needs of the tourism industry with the spiritual and religious needs of pilgrimages and the faithful, while respecting the physical integrity of religious sites and their religious significance, the report says.


"Another has to do with modulating entry rights and finding the revenues that will ensure the sustainability of a sanctuary or a monument as well as the welfare of the communities that manage them."

Jordan Travel Mart Registrations Begin

Jordan Travel Mart - Reserve your spot today in Jordan!

(McLean, VA and Jacksonville, FL) The Jordan Tourism Board North America (JTBNA), a WRTA charter member, has announced its 1st Annual Jordan Travel Mart (JTM)will be held onFebruary 10-12, 2008 at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center at the Dead Sea. The format of JTM will include two days of pre-scheduled appointments between USA, Canada, and Latin/South America “Buyers” and Jordan “Suppliers,” presentations on various tourism products, and a great selection of exciting pre and post tours throughout the entire Country.

Jordan is a distinctive destination offering breathtaking and mysterious sights, luxury accommodations, exquisite cuisine and countless activities that can provide visitors with inspiration, motivation, rejuvenation, and a guaranteed experience of a lifetime. Jordan attracts many niche markets – luxury; eco-adventure; educational/cultural; medical/spa; cruising; and, of course, religious travel.

Faith tourism from North America to Jordan has increased dramatically since 2000, when JTBNA initiated a long-term marketing and public relations strategy to educate and attract the North American religious market. Years in the making, JTM will serve as a catalyst for suppliers and buyers seeking to strengthen their portfolios and increase their share of Holy Land travel to Jordan.

In making the Jordan Travel Mart announcement, Malia Asfour, Jordan Tourism Board North America Director, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for travel professionals to learn and become experts on all the wonders Jordan has to offer and truly experience the diversity of this unique destination. We have witnessed a significant increase in interest from the North/South American travelers and have been working closely with the trade to capitalize on this trend. I am sure that Petra winning the title as one of the New 7 Wonders, will also dramatically increase consumers awareness and tourism arrivals to Jordan.”

Irma Coleman, President & CEO of William H. Coleman, Inc., the Jordan Travel Mart Event Management Firm, said: “We are very excited about being a part of the Jordan Tourism Board’s Team, and for the opportunity to help make this Event a vital part of Jordan’s Tourism development activities in 2008, and years to come.”

For additional information on JTM, registration forms, pre-post tour itineraries, and discount airfares please visit the official JTM website: www.jordantravelmart.com

New survey estimates millions of Americans want faith-based vacations

Globus Releases Results of First-Ever Study of International Religious Travelers
November 1, 2007 http://www.globusfaith.com/

For many, traveling abroad is a spiritual experience - visiting magnificent cathedrals, ancient temples and other historic religious sites can have a profound effect on anyone that encounters them. Increasingly, though, Americans are planning international vacations specifically designed to explore their religion and deepen their faith. While many experts agree this is one of the fastest growing vacation trends, until now the travel industry had no way to quantify these spiritual sojourners.

Today, Globus, the world's leader in escorted travel, unveiled the findings of an extensive study about the U.S. market for international religious vacations. Most notably, the Globus Religious Travel Study (conducted by Menlo Consulting Group, Inc.) revealed that one-third of all international travelers - or 15.7 million U.S. adults - are likely to take a religious vacation in the future. In fact, one in 10 international pleasure travelers have already been abroad on a faith-based vacation - or approximately 4.5 million people. The total market of past and potential religious travelers in the U.S. numbers approximately 16.6 million people. The results of this survey fall closely in line with the phenomenon Globus has experienced since introducing a religious travel division (http://www.globusfaith.com/) in 2004. In 2007, year-to-date bookings have increased 74 percent over 2006 figures.

As the first and only large tour operator to have embraced the spirit of faith-based vacations, Globus has steadily increased its religious vacation offerings and now boasts dozens of departure dates throughout the year. "There's no doubt that religious vacations will continue to be a booming trend in the travel industry," said Mike Schields, director of group sales and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands. "One driving factor is how meaningful these trips can be for the traveler. Our study showed that eight in 10 past religious travelers plan to repeat the experience in the future - it's just an incredible testament to the personal enlightenment that many have on faith-based vacations."

Visiting spiritual sites is an obvious activity for religious travelers. However, according to the survey, 42 percent of potential religious travelers say it's not all about pious activities - they want variety, with a 50/50 mix of religious and non-religious activities planned for the itinerary. Also revealed in the Globus Religious Travel Study - past and potential religious travelers aren't the only ones interested in exploring the roots of their faith on vacation. More than 40 percent of all American international pleasure travelers - or 20.1 million people - have at least some desire to get in touch with their religious heritage when they travel.

Other data highlights include:
-- Spirituality in numbers: Religious travelers prefer group travel. Three-quarters of potential religious travelers would opt for an escorted group tour, while fewer than one in five would choose a cruise or independent travel.

-- Who are religious travelers? A majority of religious travelers are well-educated - more than 60 percent have graduated college or attended/completed graduate school. More than half have a household income of over $75,000, and the vast majority (70 percent) are married.

-- Faith at home: Half of all religious travelers are Protestant, and one-quarter are Roman Catholic. More than two-thirds of religious travelers say they are active in their church, temple or synagogue - and nearly half say they volunteer in their local communities.

-- What are the hot religious destinations? Israel tops the list (35 percent) of countries that travelers have already visited on a faith-driven trip, followed by Italy (12 percent) and Greece (11 percent). Israel is the most cited (54 percent) desirable destination for religious trips. Italy is also a top contender of desirable destinations, with 41 percent, along with England (28 percent).

The announcement of Globus' Religious Travel Study comes alongside the announcement of its 2008 faith-based vacation offerings. Catering mostly to Catholic and Protestant/Christian denominations, Globus has increased its departures by 60 percent for 2008. Fitting with the study results, travelers on a Globus religious vacation can balance visits to spiritual sites with shopping, entertainment and exploration. They also receive faith-based insight and story-telling from a special team of Globus Tour Directors.

Highlights of the 2008 offerings include:

-- Legacy of Pope John Paul II (7 days): This week-long vacation offers travelers an intimate look into the life of the beloved pope. Travelers will experience Pope John Paul II's hometown, visiting his birthplace and boyhood home before traveling south through Poland. Other highlights of this tour include visits to Warsaw, Czestochowa and Krakow, all important sites in the Pope's life. This trip also includes a visit to Auschwitz with a stop at the remains the former concentration camp and a martyrdom museum. (Priced from $1,249 - land only(a))

-- Jordan & Egypt in the Bible (10 days): This vacation begins in Cairo, Egypt, with sightseeing at the Great Pyramids and Giza's Sphinx - accompanied by a personal Egyptologist. Then, travelers continue on to Mt. Sinai - where Moses received the Ten Commandments - and the Dead Sea, among other biblical sites. (Priced from $1,649 - land only(a), including intra-tour flight)

-- Christian England & the World of C.S. Lewis (9 days): Arriving in London as their first stop on the vacation, travelers will visit the city's many famous cathedrals before enjoying excursions to Canterbury and Oxford. This stay in Oxford allows travelers a glimpse into Lewis' past with visits to his colleges and favorite pubs. The nine-day trip concludes with a stop in Cambridge where the writer also lived and taught. (Priced from $1,889 - land only(a))

-- Footsteps of Apostle Paul (10 days): Globus' most popular religious vacation, this trip affords travelers the opportunity to visit sites where the Apostle Paul delivered sermons and conducted personal pilgrimages. Travelers will visit Greece and Turkey, stopping in cities such as Corinth and Philippi, famed for the letters and teachings that Paul addressed to them. In addition to seeing religious sites, travelers will also experience a three-day cruise, with visits to the islands of Mykonos and Rhodes - where the apostle landed in 51 A.D. (Priced from $1,729 - land/cruise only(a))

-- Classic Shrines of Italy (9 days): A travelers favorite, this vacation offers a grand tour of Italian religious sites. The tour's first stop in Rome includes visits to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums, as well as a tour of the Colosseum, a site of Christian martyrdom. As the trip continues, travelers will sightsee in various Italian villages en route to Assisi to experience the life of St. Francis. (Priced from $1,739 - land only(a))

-- New! Oberammergau 2010 Vacation - Catholic Germany & Alps (9 days): Don't be fooled by the date - it's not too early to reserve a seat at this world-famous famous Passion Play. Every 10 years, thousands of tourists descend on the humble German village of Oberammergau. Since 1634, the villagers have been performing this play that portrays the Passion of Christ - from the entry into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. The performances and the hotels sell out every season, but vacationers who travel with Globus are guaranteed first-class seats and accommodations. Before reaching Oberammergau, though, travelers begin on this vacation in Munich. Then, following the Passion Play, they travel through the Alps with stops in Liechtenstein and Switzerland, before visiting the historic cathedrals in Cologne and cruising on the Rhine River. (Priced from $2,669 - land only(a))

For more information about Globus' 2008 religious vacations, please visit http://www.globusfaith.com/. Globus' Religious Travel Study was conducted as part of Menlo Consulting Group's TravelStyles(R) USA 2007-2008 research program. For complete results, or for more information about methodology, please contact Ian Jeffries at ian_jeffries@cohnwolfe.com or (310) 967-2957. (a) Consumers can call 1-866-313-2855 for air-inclusive pricing.

About Globus
Globus is the world's leader in escorted travel with 80 years' experience sharing the world's stories. Globus offers an array of choices with vacation to six continents, visiting over 65 countries, with seven travel styles to choose from. For seven years in a row, Globus has been selected by Recommend Magazine as the best tour operator to Europe, and a top finalist for North America, Asia, Latin America and Africa. Globus was also acknowledged as Travel Weekly's 2006 Readers' Choice for best international tour operator, as well as best tour operator to Asia and South Pacific. The privately held company has offices worldwide with its U.S. headquarters in Littleton, Colo. Globus vacations include: deluxe, superior first class or first class hotels; daily breakfasts, many dinners; professional Tour Directors or Local Hosts; sightseeing; transportation; hotel taxes; service charges and baggage handling. Consumers can book reservations or request a 2008 Globus Religious Vacations brochure by seeing a preferred travel agent, calling toll free 1-866-313-2855 or visiting http://www.globusfaith.com/. About Menlo Consulting Group, Inc. MCG is a strategy consulting and marketing research firm renowned for its expertise in global travel and tourism. MCG helps organizations gain a competitive edge through custom-designed branding and strategy consulting and research projects, as well as through TravelStyles(R), the industry's most respected program of multi-client research with international travelers. For more information, contact us at 650-941-4458 or info@menloconsulting.com. www.menloconsulting.com/ Survey Estimates Millions of

Americans Want Faith-Based Vacations
Press release: http://www.pr-inside.com/Kontaktinformation: e-mail
Disclaimer: If you have any questions regarding information in these press releases please contact the company added in the press release. Please do not contact pr-inside. We will not be able to assist you. PR-inside disclaims contents contained in this release.
Cohn & Wolfe Ian Jeffries / Katie Wittenburg 310.967.2957 / 310.967.2952 ian_jeffries@cohnwolfe.com katie_wittenburg@cohnwolfe.com