Although the following article isn't necessarily specifically about Religious groups, it does speak about the growth of "groups traveling together" in general....
25 January 2007 Sherman, Conn. USA Companies seeking the next big travel opportunity need to explore the groups and meetings arena, according to a new report published by PhoCusWright Inc. The report is produced in conjunction with the Foundation of the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). This complex but steady marketplace, valued at over US$164 billion in the U.S. alone, is one of the next frontiers and key competitive areas for e-commerce and one of the last major revenue streams to move online.
The U.S. groups and meetings marketplace is projected to reach $175 billion by 2008, with travel (air, hotel, car rental, ground transportation, cruise and tour) representing 54% of the total, according to PhoCusWright's Groups and Meetings: Market Opportunity Redefined. Non-travel expenses (e.g., meeting rooms, catering, audio/visual equipment) represent the remaining 46%. By 2008, 41% of all groups and meetings travel revenue, or $39 billion, will be booked online. But the online opportunity will be even greater for small leisure gatherings (under nine rooms), a segment which has fallen outside of the traditional "group" definition. This segment, which includes family reunions, weddings and religious groups, will have online penetration of 53% by 2008, nearly three times the rate of larger leisure groups.
Travel companies can no longer afford to sit on the sidelines taking a wait-and-see approach to the groups and meetings opportunity, according to the report. Suppliers need to automate their entire distribution network and supply chain supporting groups and meetings or else risk ceding control of this space to competitors and/or new entrants. Groups and meeting inventory and rates must be centralized and well integrated into other core systems, including hotel property management, revenue (yield) management, central reservations, customer relationship management, e-commerce and dynamic packaging. In addition, companies should apply Travel 2.0 capabilities to the groups and meetings arena, placing particular emphasis on the elements of community, user-generated content and social networking.
Innovation by new entrants and competitive posturing by other, more established players signify that this will be an exciting area poised for great opportunity and technology advances in the years to come.
Other Key Findings:
Smaller, simpler groups and meetings are on the rise in both the leisure and corporate segments. Because these tend to have fewer variables, they can be moved online with the entire business being transacted - from contract to bookings - without the need for a request for proposal (RFP).
Hotel companies are working to centralize their groups and meetings inventory and rates to enhance offerings and leverage/optimize resources to achieve efficiencies and economies of scale. As they build their technology capabilities, they will push supply online.
Components of large meetings (e.g., RFP processing, housing management, attendee registration) will continue to move online largely to achieve efficiencies and to empower or off-load tasks to planners and attendees.
The rise in new market entrants (e.g., Groople, Group Travel Planet, TripHub) and efforts by established players to automate portions of the groups and meetings lifecycle will help to draw attention to the technology tools, educate the marketplace and encourage people to book electronically online.
Groups and Meetings: Market Opportunity Redefined elaborates on these key market trends, opportunities, and overall estimates and forecasts, and describes how migration to an online world will evolve. The report puts the groups and meetings market into context by taking into account where the industry has been and where it is headed, and provides strategies and pragmatic tips to help companies determine how best to plan for the future.
An Executive Summary for Groups and Meetings: Market Opportunity Redefined is available for your review.
January 27, 2007
January 23, 2007
New Passport Rules Take Effect Today
Beginning today, anyone flying anywhere outside the U.S. will need a valid passport.
(U.S. Department of State)
Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.New Application for a U.S. PassportTo obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.For more information on getting a new passport, please click How to get a passport.Renewal of a U.S. PassportYou can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from this site.If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.For more information on how to renew a passport, please click: How to renew a passport.
(U.S. Department of State)
Website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
The Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.New Application for a U.S. PassportTo obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 9,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, and 1 Gateway City Agency, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.You’ll need to apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time: if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.For more information on getting a new passport, please click How to get a passport.Renewal of a U.S. PassportYou can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name, or can legally document your name change.You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading it from this site.If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.For more information on how to renew a passport, please click: How to renew a passport.
January 13, 2007
Baby Boomers - Religious Travel top trend
Vacation.com predicts babyboomer travel boom
Friday, January 12, 2007
(excerpt from article)
The leisure travel industry is about to boom thanks to the Baby Boomers coming of age and having more free time and the desire to travel, according to Lauraday Kelley, CTC, MCC, vice president Education & Training for Vacation.com.
Drawing from recent research by ASTA, the Travel Industry Association and Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (YPB&R), Lauraday Kelley released Vacation.com’s Top Ten Trends for 2007 included Religious Travel as #7 on the list:
Religious travel will continue to be a growing trend as a large number of consumers are taking pilgrimages to religious destinations.
Friday, January 12, 2007
(excerpt from article)
The leisure travel industry is about to boom thanks to the Baby Boomers coming of age and having more free time and the desire to travel, according to Lauraday Kelley, CTC, MCC, vice president Education & Training for Vacation.com.
Drawing from recent research by ASTA, the Travel Industry Association and Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell (YPB&R), Lauraday Kelley released Vacation.com’s Top Ten Trends for 2007 included Religious Travel as #7 on the list:
Religious travel will continue to be a growing trend as a large number of consumers are taking pilgrimages to religious destinations.
January 7, 2007
World Religious Travel Association launching in less than 25 days!
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We're only less than one month away from launching the first international association for the religious travel, tourism, and hospitality industry. The official date is still set for Jan 29, 2007. Tour operators, travel agents, hotels, museums, restaurants, churches, religious organizations, the media, and individuals will be able to register as association members on that date at http://www.religioustravelassociation.com/. Only 22 more days to go!....
December 30, 2006
Travel Weekly: Religious travel guru starts consulting firm
http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com/travel_weekly_121106.pdf
TRAVEL WEEKLY
Religious travel guru leaves Globus to start consulting firm (12/11/2006)
By David Cogswell
With the market for religion-focused tour products growing, Globus' religious travel manager has left the company to start his own consulting company.
Kevin Wright, who had been the religious travel manager for Globus and is the author of books on religious pilgrimages, has started his own company, Religious Market Consulting, based Littleton, Colo.
Wright will continue to work with Globus on its religious travel programs but will also consult other companies.
In 2004, Wright persuaded Globus to start a separate division for religious travel, based on the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism's estimate that 600,000 Americans travel overseas every year for religious purposes, making religious travel a $1 billion market.
The move was so successful, according to Globus, that its religious travel business has tripled every year since the division was launched.
"It's not just a niche market," Wright said. "It's an industry."
Wright intends to expand beyond travel to the broader market of religion-focused products.
Wright also plans to launch the World Religious Travel Association in January, which he claims will be the first trade association for the religious travel market.
Globus held the first national religious travel symposium in 2005, which attracted 125 travel agents and tourism professionals. In 2006, Globus held four religious travel symposia.
Wright will be president of Religious Market Consulting and will employ three consultants: Honnie Korngold, founder and president of Christian Travel Finder; James Wright, former president and CEO of the Space Needle Corp.; and Christine Moore, founder and principal of Epiphany Media.
Globus executives were not surprised that the entrepreneurially minded Wright outgrew his job description at Globus.
"He was not the typical employee," said Globus COO Scott Nisbet. "He's got some book deals he's working on and other big plans in the growing market of religious travel. We have him engaged with us. He's going to be doing some speaking tours for us, helping to develop our products and our new tours."
To contact reporter David Cogswell, send e-mail to dcogswell@travelweekly.com.
TRAVEL WEEKLY
Religious travel guru leaves Globus to start consulting firm (12/11/2006)
By David Cogswell
With the market for religion-focused tour products growing, Globus' religious travel manager has left the company to start his own consulting company.
Kevin Wright, who had been the religious travel manager for Globus and is the author of books on religious pilgrimages, has started his own company, Religious Market Consulting, based Littleton, Colo.
Wright will continue to work with Globus on its religious travel programs but will also consult other companies.
In 2004, Wright persuaded Globus to start a separate division for religious travel, based on the U.S. Office of Travel and Tourism's estimate that 600,000 Americans travel overseas every year for religious purposes, making religious travel a $1 billion market.
The move was so successful, according to Globus, that its religious travel business has tripled every year since the division was launched.
"It's not just a niche market," Wright said. "It's an industry."
Wright intends to expand beyond travel to the broader market of religion-focused products.
Wright also plans to launch the World Religious Travel Association in January, which he claims will be the first trade association for the religious travel market.
Globus held the first national religious travel symposium in 2005, which attracted 125 travel agents and tourism professionals. In 2006, Globus held four religious travel symposia.
Wright will be president of Religious Market Consulting and will employ three consultants: Honnie Korngold, founder and president of Christian Travel Finder; James Wright, former president and CEO of the Space Needle Corp.; and Christine Moore, founder and principal of Epiphany Media.
Globus executives were not surprised that the entrepreneurially minded Wright outgrew his job description at Globus.
"He was not the typical employee," said Globus COO Scott Nisbet. "He's got some book deals he's working on and other big plans in the growing market of religious travel. We have him engaged with us. He's going to be doing some speaking tours for us, helping to develop our products and our new tours."
To contact reporter David Cogswell, send e-mail to dcogswell@travelweekly.com.
Links to top 2006 (& 2005) Religious Travel Articles
Here is a sampling of 2006 Religious Travel Market articles by America's largest media outlets:
TIME Magazine
Article Title: Spirit & Adventure
Aug 21, 2006
Website link:
http://www.time.com/time/generations/article/0,9171,1226172,00.html
CBS Early News
Article Title: Rest, Relaxation, & Religion
Feb 10, 2006
Website link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/10/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main1303854.shtml
USA TODAY
Article Title: On a Wing & a Prayer
Jan 26, 2006
Website link:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-01-26-faith-based-travel_x.htm
Los Angeles Times
Article Title: More Agencies are serving the flock: Religious Travel
April 16, 2006
Website link:
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-insider16apr16,1,856509.column?coll=la-travel-headlines
New York Times
Article Title: Transition at Vatican gives boost to tourism
May 8, 2006
Website link:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9A06E1DA1F31F93BA35756C0A9639C8B63
Travel Weekly (largest travel trade publication)
Article Title: Where the Spirit Movies
March, 2006
Website link:
http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=50566
As one of the fastest growing segments of worldwide tourism, be sure to watch for the launch of the World Religious Travel Association in January 2007.
TIME Magazine
Article Title: Spirit & Adventure
Aug 21, 2006
Website link:
http://www.time.com/time/generations/article/0,9171,1226172,00.html
CBS Early News
Article Title: Rest, Relaxation, & Religion
Feb 10, 2006
Website link:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/02/10/earlyshow/contributors/debbyeturner/main1303854.shtml
USA TODAY
Article Title: On a Wing & a Prayer
Jan 26, 2006
Website link:
http://www.usatoday.com/travel/destinations/2006-01-26-faith-based-travel_x.htm
Los Angeles Times
Article Title: More Agencies are serving the flock: Religious Travel
April 16, 2006
Website link:
http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-insider16apr16,1,856509.column?coll=la-travel-headlines
New York Times
Article Title: Transition at Vatican gives boost to tourism
May 8, 2006
Website link:
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=travel&res=9A06E1DA1F31F93BA35756C0A9639C8B63
Travel Weekly (largest travel trade publication)
Article Title: Where the Spirit Movies
March, 2006
Website link:
http://www.travelweekly.com/articles.aspx?articleid=50566
As one of the fastest growing segments of worldwide tourism, be sure to watch for the launch of the World Religious Travel Association in January 2007.
TIA report: 25% of travelers interested in spiritual vacations
Here's a new Nov. 22 report from the Travel Industry Association of America, regarding today's very high level of interest in religious travel and spiritual vacations (as well as other similar types of vacations):
TIA TRAVEL TIDBITS
WASHINGTON, DC -- Below is a brief snapshot of data from the Voice of the Traveler survey by the Travel Industry Association and Synovate.
SPIRITUAL VACATIONS: One-quarter (25%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a spiritual vacation (e.g., religious retreat, pilgrimage). More than one in ten travelers (12%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a spiritual vacation. 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 current interest in taking such a vacation.
SPA VACATIONS: More than half (54%) of travelers said they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. Good news for the spa industry…interest appears to be growing. Almost a third (28%) of travelers said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. In fact, spa vacations ranked fifth when listing all the things people said they were MORE interested in doing now compared to five years ago. Among those who are interested in spa vacations, the majority (40%) are 35 – 54 years old; however, interest is also strong among 18 – 34 year olds (37%).
VOLUNTEER VACATIONS: One-quarter (24%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. More than one in ten travelers (11%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. Interest was strongest among baby boomers, with the largest share (47%) of those interested in taking a volunteer vacation falling into the 35 – 54 year old age range.
CHILDREN-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS: More than 35% of travelers said they were currently interested in traveling to places that cater to children. Among those who are interested, the majority (51%) are 18 – 34 years old, presumably young families with young children. Nearly one in five travelers (18%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in traveling to places that cater to children.
TIA is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $703 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.
TIA TRAVEL TIDBITS
WASHINGTON, DC -- Below is a brief snapshot of data from the Voice of the Traveler survey by the Travel Industry Association and Synovate.
SPIRITUAL VACATIONS: One-quarter (25%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a spiritual vacation (e.g., religious retreat, pilgrimage). More than one in ten travelers (12%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a spiritual vacation. 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 current interest in taking such a vacation.
SPA VACATIONS: More than half (54%) of travelers said they were currently interested in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. Good news for the spa industry…interest appears to be growing. Almost a third (28%) of travelers said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in going to a spa or a place where they can relax and rejuvenate themselves. In fact, spa vacations ranked fifth when listing all the things people said they were MORE interested in doing now compared to five years ago. Among those who are interested in spa vacations, the majority (40%) are 35 – 54 years old; however, interest is also strong among 18 – 34 year olds (37%).
VOLUNTEER VACATIONS: One-quarter (24%) of travelers said they were currently interested in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. More than one in ten travelers (11%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in taking a volunteer or service-based vacation. Interest was strongest among baby boomers, with the largest share (47%) of those interested in taking a volunteer vacation falling into the 35 – 54 year old age range.
CHILDREN-FRIENDLY DESTINATIONS: More than 35% of travelers said they were currently interested in traveling to places that cater to children. Among those who are interested, the majority (51%) are 18 – 34 years old, presumably young families with young children. Nearly one in five travelers (18%) said they were MORE interested now compared to five years ago in traveling to places that cater to children.
TIA is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the $703 billion travel industry. TIA's mission is to represent the whole of the U.S. travel industry to promote and facilitate increased travel to and within the United States.
December 29, 2006
Press Release - New Religious Market Consulting Group
A new consulting group specializing in the Religious Market (and particularly in religious travel & hospitality), launched in November 2006. As I will serve as president of this company, the name of our firm is the Religious Market Consulting Group. Here is the formal press release....
RELIGIOUS TRAVEL Grows Up: Industry Leaders Form First Consulting Group for $1 Billion Market
Nationally recognized authority Kevin J. Wright launches specialized consulting team for faith-based travel and cruise industry
LITTLETON, Colorado (PRWeb) December 14, 2006 – $1 billion and growing; that is the shorthand description for the burgeoning faith-based travel and cruise industry in America. No longer a niche market, the world of religious travel has come into its own and is today considered one of the fastest growing segments by the World Tourism Organization. With more companies seeking to enter or expand their presence within the marketplace, one of the country’s most recognized faith-based tourism authorities, Kevin J. Wright, has launched the industry’s first religious travel market consulting group (www.religiousmarketconsulting.com).
A fifteen-year veteran of the industry, Wright introduced and led the very successful and high profile Religious Travel Division at Globus, the world’s leading escorted travel company. In 2005, he pioneered the concept of National Religious Travel Symposiums - seminars designed for educating professionals about the lucrative and growing religious travel market (hosted by Globus).
An award-winning author, Wright leads a team of independent consulting professionals who will assist companies in marketing, selling and developing product for the 180 million-strong market segment. Recognized as the pre-eminent authorities in the faith-based travel and cruise industry, the consulting firm’s personnel have been interviewed by TIME Magazine, CBS Early Show, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Travel Weekly, Group Tour Magazine, Church Executive, and dozens of other major media outlets. The four major players of the group consist of Kevin J. Wright; Honnie Korngold, founder and president of Christian Travel Finder; James E. Wright, an international marketing consultant and former president and CEO of the Space Needle Corporation in Seattle, WA; and Christine Moore, founder and principal of Epiphany Media.
“Our three-fold goal for clients is simple and clear: Increase revenues. Generate publicity. Establish brand name recognition within the marketplace,” said Wright, president of Religious Market Consulting Group. “Our team will assist companies in developing and executing a vision, strategy and action plan for entering or expanding one’s presence and sales within the Faith-based Market.”
The Religious Market Consulting Group will target and work with every sector of the industry, including tour operators, cruise lines, tourist boards, consortiums, travel agencies, attractions, hotels, and motor coaches. Among their many services, Wright and his team will assist organizations with the following religious market opportunities:
ˇ Deliver business plans
ˇ Develop positioning, branding, & messaging
ˇ Perform market research
ˇ Conduct sales & marketing audits
ˇ Build brochures, videos & collateral material
ˇ Facilitate strategic planning & marketing retreats
ˇ Design products, services, & experiences commensurate with market
ˇ Create advertising & promotional campaigns
ˇ Execute sales campaigns (calling/telemarketing, personal visits, direct mail, email, tradeshows)
ˇ Launch media campaign and generate publicity via niche, travel & news media
ˇ Fashion faith-based market loyalty programs
ˇ Represent companies in marketplace
ˇ Identify, recruit & train company and sales personnel
ˇ Senior level executive search
ˇ Provide industry specific, market-focused seminars and business consultations for senior management (one or multiple days)
In addition to his consulting group, Wright will launch in January 2007 the first-ever association for the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry. In January 2008, the association will host the first international tradeshow for the faith-based tourism market.
To learn more about the Religious Market Consulting Group visit http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com/ or contact Kevin J. Wright at kwright@religiousmarketconsulting.com.
About Kevin J. Wright & Religious Market Consulting Group
Kevin J. Wright is one of the country’s most recognized faith-based tourism authorities. A fifteen-year veteran of the industry, Wright launched the very successful and high profile Religious Travel Division at Globus, the world’s leading escorted tour company. An award-winning author, he has traveled to 25-plus countries, visited more than 200 major places of pilgrimage, hosted a faith-based reality show, writes for national publications, and serves as a guest speaker at conferences and on trips around the world. In 2000, he personally presented his guidebooks to Pope John Paul II. He is the author of several forthcoming books including The New Faith-based Economy in America: Targeting the $50 Billion & 180 Million-strong Religious Market. To learn more about the Religious Market Consulting Group visit http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com/.
Contact: Christine Moore, Epiphany Media
Tel: 469-688-5683
Email: christine@epiphanymedia.info
###
RELIGIOUS TRAVEL Grows Up: Industry Leaders Form First Consulting Group for $1 Billion Market
Nationally recognized authority Kevin J. Wright launches specialized consulting team for faith-based travel and cruise industry
LITTLETON, Colorado (PRWeb) December 14, 2006 – $1 billion and growing; that is the shorthand description for the burgeoning faith-based travel and cruise industry in America. No longer a niche market, the world of religious travel has come into its own and is today considered one of the fastest growing segments by the World Tourism Organization. With more companies seeking to enter or expand their presence within the marketplace, one of the country’s most recognized faith-based tourism authorities, Kevin J. Wright, has launched the industry’s first religious travel market consulting group (www.religiousmarketconsulting.com).
A fifteen-year veteran of the industry, Wright introduced and led the very successful and high profile Religious Travel Division at Globus, the world’s leading escorted travel company. In 2005, he pioneered the concept of National Religious Travel Symposiums - seminars designed for educating professionals about the lucrative and growing religious travel market (hosted by Globus).
An award-winning author, Wright leads a team of independent consulting professionals who will assist companies in marketing, selling and developing product for the 180 million-strong market segment. Recognized as the pre-eminent authorities in the faith-based travel and cruise industry, the consulting firm’s personnel have been interviewed by TIME Magazine, CBS Early Show, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Travel Weekly, Group Tour Magazine, Church Executive, and dozens of other major media outlets. The four major players of the group consist of Kevin J. Wright; Honnie Korngold, founder and president of Christian Travel Finder; James E. Wright, an international marketing consultant and former president and CEO of the Space Needle Corporation in Seattle, WA; and Christine Moore, founder and principal of Epiphany Media.
“Our three-fold goal for clients is simple and clear: Increase revenues. Generate publicity. Establish brand name recognition within the marketplace,” said Wright, president of Religious Market Consulting Group. “Our team will assist companies in developing and executing a vision, strategy and action plan for entering or expanding one’s presence and sales within the Faith-based Market.”
The Religious Market Consulting Group will target and work with every sector of the industry, including tour operators, cruise lines, tourist boards, consortiums, travel agencies, attractions, hotels, and motor coaches. Among their many services, Wright and his team will assist organizations with the following religious market opportunities:
ˇ Deliver business plans
ˇ Develop positioning, branding, & messaging
ˇ Perform market research
ˇ Conduct sales & marketing audits
ˇ Build brochures, videos & collateral material
ˇ Facilitate strategic planning & marketing retreats
ˇ Design products, services, & experiences commensurate with market
ˇ Create advertising & promotional campaigns
ˇ Execute sales campaigns (calling/telemarketing, personal visits, direct mail, email, tradeshows)
ˇ Launch media campaign and generate publicity via niche, travel & news media
ˇ Fashion faith-based market loyalty programs
ˇ Represent companies in marketplace
ˇ Identify, recruit & train company and sales personnel
ˇ Senior level executive search
ˇ Provide industry specific, market-focused seminars and business consultations for senior management (one or multiple days)
In addition to his consulting group, Wright will launch in January 2007 the first-ever association for the $18 billion worldwide religious travel industry. In January 2008, the association will host the first international tradeshow for the faith-based tourism market.
To learn more about the Religious Market Consulting Group visit http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com/ or contact Kevin J. Wright at kwright@religiousmarketconsulting.com.
About Kevin J. Wright & Religious Market Consulting Group
Kevin J. Wright is one of the country’s most recognized faith-based tourism authorities. A fifteen-year veteran of the industry, Wright launched the very successful and high profile Religious Travel Division at Globus, the world’s leading escorted tour company. An award-winning author, he has traveled to 25-plus countries, visited more than 200 major places of pilgrimage, hosted a faith-based reality show, writes for national publications, and serves as a guest speaker at conferences and on trips around the world. In 2000, he personally presented his guidebooks to Pope John Paul II. He is the author of several forthcoming books including The New Faith-based Economy in America: Targeting the $50 Billion & 180 Million-strong Religious Market. To learn more about the Religious Market Consulting Group visit http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com/.
Contact: Christine Moore, Epiphany Media
Tel: 469-688-5683
Email: christine@epiphanymedia.info
###
Launch of religious travel association coming soon
The new World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) will be launched on January 29, 2007. The first international association of its kind, WRTA's mission and vision will be to bring the religious travel trade and consumer together while leading, enriching, and expanding the industry. For more information or to register on the launch date as an individual, company, or organization - visit www.religioustravelassociation.com on Jan 29.
August 5, 2006
Press Release - National Religious Travel Symposium
GLOBUS HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL NATIONAL RELIGIOUS TRAVEL SYMPOSIUM
Expert in Religious Travel Teaches Travel Agents – in Four Cities Across Nation – How to Target the $1 Billion Religious Market
LITTLETON, Colorado – August 5, 2006 –Globus’ worldwide religious travel program has launched faith-based travel into the mainstream. Today more than 600,000 Americans travel each year overseas for religious purposes and more than 50,000 churches institute travel programs (an increase of 20 percent in the past five years). To further meet this growing demand, Globus, the world’s leader in escorted travel, is hosting its 2nd Annual National Religious Travel Symposium. For the first time, the symposium will travel to four cities including Chicago, IL (Sept. 25), Largo, MD/Washington D.C. area (Sept. 29), Dallas, TX (Oct. 26) and Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 16) to educate travel agents on this increasing trend.
“Through this symposium, travel agents will learn about the religious travel market and its make-up,” said Kevin Wright, Globus religious travel manager. ”They will also gain additional marketing and sales tips enabling them to capitalize on this lucrative, yet underserved tourist segment.”
The symposium will feature the following speakers:
· Kevin J. Wright, Globus Religious Travel Manager: One of the country’s foremost experts on religious travel and forthcoming author of Frommer’s Complete Guide to Faith-based Travel, Wright will speak on the “Who, What, Why, Where, & How” of the economically vast and powerful religious market.
· Mike Shields, Globus Director of Group Sales and Emerging Markets: Schields, a veteran of the religious travel market, will address the “Top 10 Sales & Marketing Strategies” to the faith-based market.
· Honnie Korngold, President of Christian Travel Finder: Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top media “go-to people” for religious travel, Korngold will provide a concrete plan of action and tactics for travel agents tapping into this lucrative market.
· Fr. Allan Weinert, Chaplain: Weinert a pilgrimage chaplain with extensive travel experience, will offer an insider’s view on how to best work with the religious market.
Globus is now accepting registrations for all 2006 symposium dates. The cost of the symposium is $199 and includes conference entrance, one-night lodging, breakfast, lunch and other key resources including a copy of Kevin J. Wright’s religious travel guidebook (for day-attendees only, a $69 fee includes all of this except lodging). Travel agents from across the country are encouraged to attend any of the four, one-day events.
Attendees will also receive a tutorial session highlighting online travel agent materials including template letters to religious leaders, PowerPoint presentations (of religious tours, shrines, terminology, etc.) and an already prepared Religious Travel Business Plan template for travel agencies. International tourist boards will also attend and highlight their religious travel destinations through a variety of exhibits.
For more information, or to register for the symposium, please visit www.globusfaith.com/symposium or contact the Globus Faith team at faithteam@globusandcosmos.com or call 800-851-0728 ext. 7094.
Globus invites all media to attend these events as a special segment of the symposium will be devoted to media personnel.
About Globus
Globus is the world’s leader in escorted travel with more than 75 years’ experience opening the door to the world. Globus offers a world of choices with vacations to six continents, visiting more than 65 countries, with seven travel styles to choose from. For six 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. The privately held company has offices worldwide with its U.S. headquarters in Littleton, Colorado. Globus vacations include: deluxe, superior first class or first class hotels; daily breakfasts and many dinners; professional Tour Directors or Local Hosts; sightseeing; transportation; hotel taxes; service charges; and baggage handling.
As nationally-recognized experts in religious travel and tourism, Globus’ religious travel offerings have been featured in national outlets including the CBS Early Show, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, among others.
Agents can book reservations or request 2006 Globus Worldwide Religious Travel brochures by
calling 1-800-221-0090 or by visiting www.globusjourneys.com/agents.
Expert in Religious Travel Teaches Travel Agents – in Four Cities Across Nation – How to Target the $1 Billion Religious Market
LITTLETON, Colorado – August 5, 2006 –Globus’ worldwide religious travel program has launched faith-based travel into the mainstream. Today more than 600,000 Americans travel each year overseas for religious purposes and more than 50,000 churches institute travel programs (an increase of 20 percent in the past five years). To further meet this growing demand, Globus, the world’s leader in escorted travel, is hosting its 2nd Annual National Religious Travel Symposium. For the first time, the symposium will travel to four cities including Chicago, IL (Sept. 25), Largo, MD/Washington D.C. area (Sept. 29), Dallas, TX (Oct. 26) and Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 16) to educate travel agents on this increasing trend.
“Through this symposium, travel agents will learn about the religious travel market and its make-up,” said Kevin Wright, Globus religious travel manager. ”They will also gain additional marketing and sales tips enabling them to capitalize on this lucrative, yet underserved tourist segment.”
The symposium will feature the following speakers:
· Kevin J. Wright, Globus Religious Travel Manager: One of the country’s foremost experts on religious travel and forthcoming author of Frommer’s Complete Guide to Faith-based Travel, Wright will speak on the “Who, What, Why, Where, & How” of the economically vast and powerful religious market.
· Mike Shields, Globus Director of Group Sales and Emerging Markets: Schields, a veteran of the religious travel market, will address the “Top 10 Sales & Marketing Strategies” to the faith-based market.
· Honnie Korngold, President of Christian Travel Finder: Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top media “go-to people” for religious travel, Korngold will provide a concrete plan of action and tactics for travel agents tapping into this lucrative market.
· Fr. Allan Weinert, Chaplain: Weinert a pilgrimage chaplain with extensive travel experience, will offer an insider’s view on how to best work with the religious market.
Globus is now accepting registrations for all 2006 symposium dates. The cost of the symposium is $199 and includes conference entrance, one-night lodging, breakfast, lunch and other key resources including a copy of Kevin J. Wright’s religious travel guidebook (for day-attendees only, a $69 fee includes all of this except lodging). Travel agents from across the country are encouraged to attend any of the four, one-day events.
Attendees will also receive a tutorial session highlighting online travel agent materials including template letters to religious leaders, PowerPoint presentations (of religious tours, shrines, terminology, etc.) and an already prepared Religious Travel Business Plan template for travel agencies. International tourist boards will also attend and highlight their religious travel destinations through a variety of exhibits.
For more information, or to register for the symposium, please visit www.globusfaith.com/symposium or contact the Globus Faith team at faithteam@globusandcosmos.com or call 800-851-0728 ext. 7094.
Globus invites all media to attend these events as a special segment of the symposium will be devoted to media personnel.
About Globus
Globus is the world’s leader in escorted travel with more than 75 years’ experience opening the door to the world. Globus offers a world of choices with vacations to six continents, visiting more than 65 countries, with seven travel styles to choose from. For six 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. The privately held company has offices worldwide with its U.S. headquarters in Littleton, Colorado. Globus vacations include: deluxe, superior first class or first class hotels; daily breakfasts and many dinners; professional Tour Directors or Local Hosts; sightseeing; transportation; hotel taxes; service charges; and baggage handling.
As nationally-recognized experts in religious travel and tourism, Globus’ religious travel offerings have been featured in national outlets including the CBS Early Show, USA TODAY, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and Los Angeles Times, among others.
Agents can book reservations or request 2006 Globus Worldwide Religious Travel brochures by
calling 1-800-221-0090 or by visiting www.globusjourneys.com/agents.
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