Jordan Tourism Religious Travel Update

Jordan Tourism Religious Travel Update
Volume 88

Selling religious travel products makes good business sense for an increasing number of travel professionals, so if you are not currently selling faith-based travel to Jordan but are actively exploring and developing new products that meet the needs of the ever-changing marketplace, please read on – you might decide that this is the year for you to expand into this dynamic and growing sector, and Jordan could be your ticket to success. And whether you are new to selling Jordan religious itineraries or a long-time partner in faith-based travel to Jordan, we have many opportunities to co-op with you to market/advertise your Jordan religious product.

As the April Destinations of the World “Flight of Faith” cover story on religious travel reports, the global trend is now strong enough for many countries to start focusing on faith travel as part of their national strategy and for hotel companies to develop new properties in significant faith centers. Jordan certainly is working hard to accommodate the needs of today’s religious travelers and to attract visitors from North America. In 2007 alone, JTBNA religious ads – targeting Catholics; Mainline Protestants; Evangelical Protestants and Charismatic/Pentecostal Protestants – reached audiences with a cumulative circulation of 1.2 million. JTBNA also generated more than $750,000 in editorial media placements in religious media outlets, exposing a wide variety of Christians in North America – potential travelers – to stories on the people and places of Jordan.

Two potential ways to partner with us to put Jordan religious travel into your success column:

JTBNA 2008 Religious Market Co-Op Opportunities
JTBNA would like to work with you on mutually beneficial marketing/advertising projects to promote your Jordan religious travel products, such as:
• Advertising
• Direct mail
• Special dedicated websites for your Jordan product
• Brochure development
• Got another idea? Let us hear from you.

If you would like to partner with us to develop a religious itinerary or to increase sales of your existing Jordan religious product(s) – please send a detailed proposal (including expected ROI).

JTBNA Preferred Provider Program for Jordan Religious Travel Experts
Our new Preferred Provider Program for Jordan Religious Travel Experts includes these benefits:

• Designation as Religious Travel Expert in JTBNA marketing/communications vehicles.
• Advertisement of your Jordan religious itinerary on our website.
• Opportunity to partner with us during the World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference 2008* (Oct.29 - Nov. 1) at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. (Booth space will be limited and distributed on a first-come basis.)
Qualifications include:
• Jordan Religious Travel Expert Training should be completed in 2008 (senior marketing and sales staff should complete our virtual seminars or schedule/attend in-person workshops).
• At least one Jordan-only religious itinerary with a minimum of six nights. This itinerary must be featured in your primary catalogue/brochure targeting the religious market.

*As highlighted in our recent bulletin, JTBNA was invited in 2007 to be a charter member of WRTA. Jordan was chosen as the sole Holy Land destination to be represented on the Charter Member board simply because it is a unique, one-stop Holy Land destination that meets the needs of today’s religious travelers. Jordan combines the holy sites desired by traditional religious pilgrims with the multi-dimensional experiences (cultural, adventure, eco-, health and wellness, spa/retreat, etc.) that an increasing number of 21st century religious travelers demand. Other members of the elite, invitation-only charter membership group include The World’s Leading Cruise Lines (Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Yachts of Seabourn); Switzerland Tourism; The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Christian Travel Finder and Trafalgar Tours.
Jordan’s Charter membership brings with it top positioning at the first annual World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference 2008 (www.religioustravelexpo.com).
Here’s to an exciting year in the faith tourism industry, and to increased sales of your Jordan religious products (or to a successful launch of your new Jordan religious itinerary)!
To learn more about religious travel to Jordan or if you have any questions about information in this update, visit www.visitjordan.com