February 14, 2010

Current headline News Stories in Religious Tourism

Ya'lla Tours president says faith-based travel can be lucrative ...Ronen Paldi, president of the Portland, Ore.-based Ya'lla Tours, said travel sellers can profit fro.

Religious tourism stayed strong in 2009: India
eTravelBlackboard - Asia EditionIn 2009 the religious travel sector proved resilient throughout, not appearing to be damaged much by the global financial crisis, remarked the India Tourism ...

Article link: http://www.littleabout.com/news/68523,tourism-travel-fair-begins-delhi.html
The Chinese envoy said his country was trying set more linkages between the two nations in promoting religious tourism. “We want more Indian tourists to visit the Buddhist tourism trails in China and vice-versa because Buddhism is a common cultural legacy. China has declared 2010 as the cultural exchange year with India,” he said.

Religious tourism shows resilience in global recessionJaiBiharNALANDA — The Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja has said that it is an accepted fact that religious tourism has proven resilience to the pressures of ...

Saudi Arabia economy's unrivalled strengthGlobal Arab Network - English NewsBoth religious tourism and domestic tourism have great potential for development. There are some major developments taking place in the transport sector, ...

Did the Recession Impact Your Agency’s Worth?

Article link: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/home-based/financial/did-recession-impact-your-agencys-worth-19768

Travel companies that specialize in corporate, government, educational or religious travel are doing well and are still able to receive up to 5 times the EBITDA (accounting standard) due to supply and demand.

February 6, 2010

Ya'lla Tours president says faith-based travel can be lucrative

Ya'lla Tours president says faith-based travel can be lucrative

The faith based travel market can be very lucrative for travel sellers in new, repeat and referral business, according to Ronen Paldi, president of Ya’lla Tours, a faith based tour specialist in Portland, OR.

Citing 2004 census statistics, Paldi told Travel Market Report that two-thirds of the U.S. population describes itself as involved in their religious organizations, which generate $87 billion in annual contributions.

Travel, pointed out Paldi, is the single largest expenditure for U.S. religious organizations, after salaries, education and construction.

“The potential in this market is unlimited and it really is virgin territory for agents,” Paldi said. “It is a great opportunity for travel sellers.”

“The repeat factor is the highest in the industry. And if a travel agent books one church group of 30, this can result in individuals also take cruises and land vacations,” he said.

February 3, 2010

Current News Stories in Religious Tourism

2011 Youth Day Web Site Available in EnglishZenit News AgencyThe Web page for the 2011 World Youth Day, which will be hosted by the Archdiocese of Madrid, is now available. The English-language site was launched on ...

Development through tourismManila BulletinThere is also the possibility of religious tourism for Asian Catholics. Major shrines like Antipolo, Penafrancia, Sto. NiƱo de Cebu, Sto. ...

Saudi Arabia shows robust growthGulfNews"This does not include the fast-growing religious tourism sector," said Dr. Nasser Aqeel Al Tayyar. In a press briefing this week, Dr Al Tayyar, ...

Katherine DuncanLas Vegas SunShe sees these traits as opportunities to take advantage of a growing religious tourism market. Duncan created the Ward 5 Chamber in 2007 and currently ...

A New Workshop for International Operators at Bit 2010Focus on Travel NewsBack for its second edition, the Bit Itinera conference focuses on Religious Tourism: this year, 80 select operators on the demand side are preparing to ...

UAE firm to build $100m Iraq hotelTrade Arabia... and in particular within the religious tourism sector," Ehab al-Bakri, the head of placement and business development at Noor was reported as saying. ...

February 1, 2010

Leisure Group Travel: Tour Highlights of Palestine

Written by Sandy Dhuyvetter
Published by Leisure Group Travel

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS OF PALESTINE
Religious tour groups find sacred shrines, archaeological treasures, great shopping and friendly people in Palestine. Fresh from a 12-day trip to the Holy Land, the writer gives her impressions of cities like Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nablus and Jericho. She tells what group planners can expect in regard to security, tour guides, hotels and other practical matters.
Get an overview of what awaits tour groups in Palestine

http://www.leisuregrouptravel.com/archives/Jan2010/Tourist%20Highlights%20of%20Palestine.pdf