August 26, 2009

Pope names Orlando tourist ministry a basilica

Read full story from Associated Press at http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5h75RW6HFyxBrK12CzAWvncopejXAD9A6PPF00

ORLANDO, Fla. — A 2,000-seat Catholic shrine in Orlando is getting ready to celebrate its new status as one of just 63 basilicas in the U.S.

August 23, 2009

Eureka Springs and Religious Tourism

Read full story at:
http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com/destinations-of-faith/eureka-springs/

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a wonderful religious destination. The town offers many religious sites and activities. Located in the gorgeous Ozark Mountains, Eureka Springs is both a beautiful and spritual vacation. Visitors can see The Great Passion Play in an outdoor setting. There is also the Bible Museum, Sacred Arts Center and the Christ of the Ozarks statue. They offer s tours as well, such as the New Holy Land Tour and Tabernacle Teaching Tour.

Religious tourism lifts private jet charters

Read full story at http://www.business24-7.ae/Articles/2009/8/Pages/23082009/08242009_9914f8718d054fc7972f3e171bcb4333.aspx

International Air Charter (IAC), a private jet charter broker, expects a 50 per cent increase in demand for charters to Saudi Arabia during Ramadan over the previous year, the company said yesterday.IAC added that the forecast is in line with the growth of religious tourism in Saudi Arabia, which is expected to generate up to $7 billion (Dh25.71bn) in annual revenues."

He said IAC has allocated substantial resources and has put priority on religious tourism

August 17, 2009

PASTORS REPRESENTING 10 NATIONS EXPERIENCE FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP IN BAHAMAS


RELIGIOUS MARKET GLOBAL OUTREACH – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s Religious Market, recently took advantage of an opportunity to pitch the country’s outstanding conference and meetings facilities to a group of Pastors visiting Nassau from the United States, Cuba and even places as far flung as China, Africa, Italy and Great Britain.

The group of spiritual leaders were in attendance at a "Kingdom Leadership Conference" being held at the Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road, under the direction of renowned Bahamian spiritual leader, Pastor Miles Munroe, President and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, Nassau, Bahamas. The group of pastors representing 10 nations, were a part of a delegation of about 185 persons in attendance at the Conference.


During their visit to The Bahamas, the church leaders were given a tour of some of the Island's finest hotels and resorts, and then feted to a reception at their host hotel, The Wyndham Nassau Resort, Cable Beach. Pictured above, front center, Mr. Linville Johnson, MOT Director of Religious Market, and Dr. Myles Munroe are flanked by the Pastors.The Religious market is an $18 Billion Global Market, and the Bahamas, boasting the largest assortment of vacation spots of any tropical destination in the world, is poised to take advantage of a larger share of this growing market. No longer simply a fun vacation, the Bahamas can also offer its visitors faith and fellowship."The Bahamas...where God lives."


Linville Johnson, is available to answer questions on group needs for religious conferences, conventions, retreats etc., at ljohnson@bahamas.com. For more information on the Islands of The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com, or you can reach us at 1-800 Bahamas.

August 15, 2009

Jamaica Tourist Board Wooing Church Groups from the UK

JTB Wooing Church Groups in the UK
Read full story at http://www.jis.gov.jm/indus_tourism/html/20090815T100000-0500_20792_JIS_JTB_WOOING_CHURCH_GROUPS_IN_THE_UK.asp

The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is wooing church groups in the United Kingdom (UK) as it seeks to bring more visitors into the island.

More than 30 Diaspora and mainstream church leaders from various denominations were invited to a special brunch at the Jamaican High Commission in London on Tuesday (Aug. 11), where they were urged to consider Jamaica as a venue for faith-based group travel.
The group, which comprised decision makers for overseas conferences, retreats or other events organised by churches, were invited by the JTB to be part of a destination familiarisation visit to Jamaica.

The JTB made the point that Jamaica can offer a diverse range of events and activities and is already the venue for faith-related activities such as the annual 'Fun in the Son' gospel festival, which is now a regular calendar event

August 4, 2009

Cardinal Foley encourages pilgrimages

Read the full article at: http://www.h2onews.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19692&Itemid=14

Cardinal Foley recommends the great experience of visiting the Holy Land -- a trip, he said, thta “is unforgettable.”

“I would really recommend for everybody a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. People make pilgrimages to Lourdes, to Fatima, to Santiago de Compostela, and all of these were important and good. But I think the trip to Holy land is unforgettable. You see the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked around the sea and on the sea; you see the Mount of the Beatitudes; you see Bethlehem where He was born; you see Nazareth were He grew up; and you see Jerusalem, of course, where He talked, and suffered and died and rose.”