Originally published August 24, 2010
Read full story at
http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/business/display.htm?StoryID=108939
By Ike Wilson
News-Post Staff
Emmitsburg -- Allen Knott has worked in Emmitsburg for five years and served as the treasurer for the town's business association over the same period.
However, Knott had not visited one of the town's tourism icons -- the National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -- until Thursday, when the Emmitsburg Business and Professional Association toured the facility.
He was impressed.
"I was in awe of the display and St. Elizabeth Seton's life from her time in Europe to when she came back to the United States," Knott said.
The 60-acre facility is more than a captivating memorial to a saint.
With 380 employees, the shrine boosts Emmitsburg 's economic development in several ways, the visitors said following the tour.
Religious tourism is an increasingly growing industry and the shrine offers an opportunity for pilgrims to walk in a saint's footsteps without having to travel to Europe or the Holy Land, said John Fieseler, the county's executive director for tourism.
To read the full story click on the link at the top.
August 28, 2010
August 17, 2010
Bulgaria, Relics, and Religious Tourism (Wall Street Journal article)
Read full story at http://online.wsj.com/article/NA_WSJ_PUB:SB10001424052748704216804575423673016971944.html
By JOE PARKINSON
SOZOPOL, Bulgaria—Archaeologists and clerics here say they have unearthed bones belonging to John the Baptist, an itinerant preacher revered by many Christians as the last of the Old Testament prophets.
Bulgaria's government is looking to the discovery for salvation—of a financial sort.
The remains, including a skull fragment and a tooth, were uncovered last month during the excavation of a fourth-century monastery on St. Ivan Island, off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. They were in a sealed reliquary buried next to a tiny urn inscribed with St. John's name and his birth date.
Officials of this recession-scarred country think the purported relics will give a big boost to tourism, drawing believers from neighboring Orthodox Christian countries to this nearby resort town,
Tens of millions of dollars have already been earmarked to prepare for an anticipated surge in visitors. Construction crews are enlarging the port and building a big new parking lot. Tour guides are being rewritten and new signs are going up to direct people to the relics.
Read rest of the story at the Wall Street Journal.....
By JOE PARKINSON
SOZOPOL, Bulgaria—Archaeologists and clerics here say they have unearthed bones belonging to John the Baptist, an itinerant preacher revered by many Christians as the last of the Old Testament prophets.
Bulgaria's government is looking to the discovery for salvation—of a financial sort.
The remains, including a skull fragment and a tooth, were uncovered last month during the excavation of a fourth-century monastery on St. Ivan Island, off Bulgaria's Black Sea coast. They were in a sealed reliquary buried next to a tiny urn inscribed with St. John's name and his birth date.
Officials of this recession-scarred country think the purported relics will give a big boost to tourism, drawing believers from neighboring Orthodox Christian countries to this nearby resort town,
Tens of millions of dollars have already been earmarked to prepare for an anticipated surge in visitors. Construction crews are enlarging the port and building a big new parking lot. Tour guides are being rewritten and new signs are going up to direct people to the relics.
Read rest of the story at the Wall Street Journal.....
Bulgaria Hopes Recent Archaeology Discovery Will Help Save Economy
Read story: http://www.balkantravellers.com/en/read/article/2200
BalkanTravellers.com
16 August 2010 Bulgaria is looking to the recent discovery of what are claimed to be the relics of Saint John the Baptist for salvation of the country’s economy, The Wall Street Journal recently reported.
As BalkanTravellers.com wrote, an archaeology team – led by Professor Kazimir Popkonstantinov, discovered a few weeks ago relics, consisting of parts of bones from the arm and leg, as well as a tooth and a facial bone, on the island of Saint Ivan near the Black Sea town of Sozopol.
In claims that quickly gave rise to controversy within archaeological circles as well as society at large, the relics were said to have belonged to Saint John the Baptist.
“Officials of this recession-scarred country think the purported relics will give a big boost to tourism,” the publication noted, “drawing believers from neighboring Orthodox Christian countries” to the town of Sozopol, where the relics are now displayed in a church.
“Tens of millions of dollars have already been earmarked to prepare for an anticipated surge in visitors,” according to the publication, and the town’s port is already being enlarged, tour guides rewritten and new signs are going up to direct people to the relics.
Although the relics’ authenticity has not yet been confirmed and has given rise to controversy among both international and local religious, scientific, civil and governmental institutions, news of the find is already attracting visitors to Sozopol.
The Church of Saint George, where the supposed relics are now displayed has seen its daily attendance rise from about 100 to more than 3,000.
To help pull Bulgaria – the EU’s poorest member state, out of its worst recession since the collapse of communism here 20 years ago, the government is looking to promote tourism.
“I'm not religious but these relics are in the premier league,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Dyankov told the publication. The relics’ “revenue potential for Bulgaria is clear,” he says, adding that he wants to double government spending on the development of religious tourism so “we can make this history profitable.”
Meanwhile, according to the publication, business in Sozopol continues to languish. “The government are telling us the town will become the next Jerusalem,” hotel owner Stanimir Stoyanov told The Wall Street Journal. “We just hope that they're right.”
Read more about Bulgaria on BalkanTravellers.com
Use BalkanTravellers.com's tips to organize your trip to Bulgaria
BalkanTravellers.com
16 August 2010 Bulgaria is looking to the recent discovery of what are claimed to be the relics of Saint John the Baptist for salvation of the country’s economy, The Wall Street Journal recently reported.
As BalkanTravellers.com wrote, an archaeology team – led by Professor Kazimir Popkonstantinov, discovered a few weeks ago relics, consisting of parts of bones from the arm and leg, as well as a tooth and a facial bone, on the island of Saint Ivan near the Black Sea town of Sozopol.
In claims that quickly gave rise to controversy within archaeological circles as well as society at large, the relics were said to have belonged to Saint John the Baptist.
“Officials of this recession-scarred country think the purported relics will give a big boost to tourism,” the publication noted, “drawing believers from neighboring Orthodox Christian countries” to the town of Sozopol, where the relics are now displayed in a church.
“Tens of millions of dollars have already been earmarked to prepare for an anticipated surge in visitors,” according to the publication, and the town’s port is already being enlarged, tour guides rewritten and new signs are going up to direct people to the relics.
Although the relics’ authenticity has not yet been confirmed and has given rise to controversy among both international and local religious, scientific, civil and governmental institutions, news of the find is already attracting visitors to Sozopol.
The Church of Saint George, where the supposed relics are now displayed has seen its daily attendance rise from about 100 to more than 3,000.
To help pull Bulgaria – the EU’s poorest member state, out of its worst recession since the collapse of communism here 20 years ago, the government is looking to promote tourism.
“I'm not religious but these relics are in the premier league,” Bulgarian Prime Minister Simeon Dyankov told the publication. The relics’ “revenue potential for Bulgaria is clear,” he says, adding that he wants to double government spending on the development of religious tourism so “we can make this history profitable.”
Meanwhile, according to the publication, business in Sozopol continues to languish. “The government are telling us the town will become the next Jerusalem,” hotel owner Stanimir Stoyanov told The Wall Street Journal. “We just hope that they're right.”
Read more about Bulgaria on BalkanTravellers.com
Use BalkanTravellers.com's tips to organize your trip to Bulgaria
Religious tourism could get boost from canonization of Brother André
Full article: http://www.cjad.com/news/565/1188077
With the canonization of Brother Andre set for October, there are renewed calls to develop the potential of Quebec's religious tourism.
A study is underway by a former director of Quebec's Tourism Bureau to mine the potential of religious tourism in the province, and to publicize sites such as St Joseph Oratory in Montreal and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec City. Tourism analysts say the possible growth is considerable: 20% a year over the next 15 years.
Quebec may be a long way away from being a destination like the Vatican but Dr. Clarence Epstein, Concordia University's director of special projects and cultural affairs in the Office of the President, says the government can start taking steps now.
"It's going to take more than just the religious or the individual to bring tourists here. It's going to take a combination of factors that make Quebec such an interesting place to visit," Epstein tells CJAD News.
And that includes preserving and developing abandoned places of worship.
"We have to make those buildings alive again because the congregations that are leaving them now are certainly not going to give us much hope for how we handle our heritage going forward."
The religious tourism market is estimated at $18-billion dollars worldwide, $10-billion of that in North American.
"The churches of Quebec are what the castles are to Europe," Epstein says.
"And if (tourism officials and the government) play on that, and use that as part of its heritage strategy for marketing Quebec as a destination for whether it's religious or heritage tourism, then there's a larger opportunity of succeeding and convincing people to come and visit us."
With the canonization of Brother Andre set for October, there are renewed calls to develop the potential of Quebec's religious tourism.
A study is underway by a former director of Quebec's Tourism Bureau to mine the potential of religious tourism in the province, and to publicize sites such as St Joseph Oratory in Montreal and Ste-Anne-de-Beaupre in Quebec City. Tourism analysts say the possible growth is considerable: 20% a year over the next 15 years.
Quebec may be a long way away from being a destination like the Vatican but Dr. Clarence Epstein, Concordia University's director of special projects and cultural affairs in the Office of the President, says the government can start taking steps now.
"It's going to take more than just the religious or the individual to bring tourists here. It's going to take a combination of factors that make Quebec such an interesting place to visit," Epstein tells CJAD News.
And that includes preserving and developing abandoned places of worship.
"We have to make those buildings alive again because the congregations that are leaving them now are certainly not going to give us much hope for how we handle our heritage going forward."
The religious tourism market is estimated at $18-billion dollars worldwide, $10-billion of that in North American.
"The churches of Quebec are what the castles are to Europe," Epstein says.
"And if (tourism officials and the government) play on that, and use that as part of its heritage strategy for marketing Quebec as a destination for whether it's religious or heritage tourism, then there's a larger opportunity of succeeding and convincing people to come and visit us."
August 9, 2010
2010-2011 Religious Travel Buyer's Guide Just Published
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has just published its 2010-2011 RELIGIOUS TRAVEL BUYER'S GUIDE. The publication is the industry’s preeminent guide to the religious travel and hospitality marketplace (a $49 value).
How will the Buyer’s Guide help you?
Discover new ideas and opportunities for enriching your faith tourism and hospitality travel program, while also finding suppliers, products, and services in faith tourism.
What types of faith-based travel services can you learn about in the Buyer's Guide?
Pilgrimages, conferences, events, cruising, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, adventure, safaris, attractions, shrines and holy sites, leisure vacations, insurance, transportation, lodging, restaurants, retailers, destinations, and much more!
What type of travel providers can you find in the Buyer’s Guide?
Tour operators, travel agents, travel wholesalers, destinations and supplier members of WRTA—all of whom are involved in religious travel and hospitality. Our publication is easy to use, giving you quick e-links to web sites and emails, making it convenient for you to contact these distinguished travel providers.
How can you obtain your FREE (digital) copy of the Buyer's Guide?
Just click here http://bit.ly/WRTABuyersGuide2010-2011
How can your organization be featured in future editions of the Buyer's Guide?
Call 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Whether you are a religious leader who would like to learn more about developing a travel ministry program and how faith based travel can deepen spiritual growth, a travel agent looking for inspiring new travel product to offer your religious market segment or a supplier or destination who caters to the religious travel traveler, WRTA is your connection to growth and development in the religious travel industry.
I invite you to take full advantage of the resource you’ve been given through the Buyers Guide and I encourage you to consider membership in WRTA and/or attending the upcoming World Religious Travel Expo 2010, being held November 13-16 in Montreal, Quebec.
To learn how you can become more involved in WRTA or register for the Expo, please contact us via phone 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Best wishes to you in 2010 and 2011.
Kevin J. Wright
WRTA President
How will the Buyer’s Guide help you?
Discover new ideas and opportunities for enriching your faith tourism and hospitality travel program, while also finding suppliers, products, and services in faith tourism.
What types of faith-based travel services can you learn about in the Buyer's Guide?
Pilgrimages, conferences, events, cruising, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, adventure, safaris, attractions, shrines and holy sites, leisure vacations, insurance, transportation, lodging, restaurants, retailers, destinations, and much more!
What type of travel providers can you find in the Buyer’s Guide?
Tour operators, travel agents, travel wholesalers, destinations and supplier members of WRTA—all of whom are involved in religious travel and hospitality. Our publication is easy to use, giving you quick e-links to web sites and emails, making it convenient for you to contact these distinguished travel providers.
How can you obtain your FREE (digital) copy of the Buyer's Guide?
Just click here http://bit.ly/WRTABuyersGuide2010-2011
How can your organization be featured in future editions of the Buyer's Guide?
Call 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Whether you are a religious leader who would like to learn more about developing a travel ministry program and how faith based travel can deepen spiritual growth, a travel agent looking for inspiring new travel product to offer your religious market segment or a supplier or destination who caters to the religious travel traveler, WRTA is your connection to growth and development in the religious travel industry.
I invite you to take full advantage of the resource you’ve been given through the Buyers Guide and I encourage you to consider membership in WRTA and/or attending the upcoming World Religious Travel Expo 2010, being held November 13-16 in Montreal, Quebec.
To learn how you can become more involved in WRTA or register for the Expo, please contact us via phone 888-255-9782/859-219-3529 or email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Best wishes to you in 2010 and 2011.
Kevin J. Wright
WRTA President
Expo Buzz Newsletter Aug 5, 2010
WRTA's Expo Buzz
Greg Stielstra is Back to Ignite Your Marketing Fire
The highly-rated speaker from Expo 2009 and author of PyroMarketing, Greg Stielstra, has just signed on for Expo 2010! He will be the keynote speaker during the Sunday luncheon.
Greg is excited and honored to be coming back to speak at Expo and see everyone again. Be sure to watch for our formal press release to the industry regarding this special announcement. In the meantime, want to learn more about Greg Stielstra and his topics of Faith-based Marketing and PyroMarketing – including his books? Visit Greg’s website: http://www.pyromarketing.com/
Buyers: Explore Mauricie & Québec City
on WRTA's Dime
The first registered 25 buyers to contact us will receive the $500 post-Fam tour of the Montréal area at no cost! The tour departs Montréal Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8 a.m. with an overnight in Québec City. The tour concludes at Montréal’s Trudeau Int’l Airport Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. To register or read more about the post-Fam, visit the Expo Web site: http://www.wrtaexpo.com/
Just Announced!
Travel Ministry Conference Coming to Montréal
Based on the tremendous response of attendees at our new Travel Ministry Conferences, WRTA is elated to announce the new addition of our Travel Ministry Conferences to our Expo in Montréal. Travel Ministry Conferences are smaller, more intimate gatherings designed specifically for pastors, religious/ministry leaders, and other group planners. More details to come soon. Stay tuned!
For $ 5,000, you can become an official co-sponsor of the Montréal Travel Ministry Conference, along side Palestine. This sponsorship includes 5 minutes of promotional time and the opportunity to distribute marking materials at the event. This sponsorship also qualifies you for Silver Level Expo benefits: two Expo registrations, premium 10x10 exhibit space, recognition as an official WRTA sponsor, sponsor signage, sponsor listing on Expo Web site, sponsor icon with listing in Expo Program (part of the NTA Convention Catalog – giving you additional exposure to the 1800 NTA delegates), participation in e-mail blast to WRTA members and Expo delegates and sponsor ribbon with badge.
Due to limited availability, this offer won’t be on the market for long. Call +1.859.226.4402 or email sales@WRTAstaff.com today to reserve your spot!
WRTA Expo
Nov. 13 -16, 2010
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montréal, Québec, Canada
Greg Stielstra is Back to Ignite Your Marketing Fire
The highly-rated speaker from Expo 2009 and author of PyroMarketing, Greg Stielstra, has just signed on for Expo 2010! He will be the keynote speaker during the Sunday luncheon.
Greg is excited and honored to be coming back to speak at Expo and see everyone again. Be sure to watch for our formal press release to the industry regarding this special announcement. In the meantime, want to learn more about Greg Stielstra and his topics of Faith-based Marketing and PyroMarketing – including his books? Visit Greg’s website: http://www.pyromarketing.com/
Buyers: Explore Mauricie & Québec City
on WRTA's Dime
The first registered 25 buyers to contact us will receive the $500 post-Fam tour of the Montréal area at no cost! The tour departs Montréal Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 8 a.m. with an overnight in Québec City. The tour concludes at Montréal’s Trudeau Int’l Airport Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 1 p.m. To register or read more about the post-Fam, visit the Expo Web site: http://www.wrtaexpo.com/
Just Announced!
Travel Ministry Conference Coming to Montréal
Based on the tremendous response of attendees at our new Travel Ministry Conferences, WRTA is elated to announce the new addition of our Travel Ministry Conferences to our Expo in Montréal. Travel Ministry Conferences are smaller, more intimate gatherings designed specifically for pastors, religious/ministry leaders, and other group planners. More details to come soon. Stay tuned!
For $ 5,000, you can become an official co-sponsor of the Montréal Travel Ministry Conference, along side Palestine. This sponsorship includes 5 minutes of promotional time and the opportunity to distribute marking materials at the event. This sponsorship also qualifies you for Silver Level Expo benefits: two Expo registrations, premium 10x10 exhibit space, recognition as an official WRTA sponsor, sponsor signage, sponsor listing on Expo Web site, sponsor icon with listing in Expo Program (part of the NTA Convention Catalog – giving you additional exposure to the 1800 NTA delegates), participation in e-mail blast to WRTA members and Expo delegates and sponsor ribbon with badge.
Due to limited availability, this offer won’t be on the market for long. Call +1.859.226.4402 or email sales@WRTAstaff.com today to reserve your spot!
WRTA Expo
Nov. 13 -16, 2010
Palais des congrès de Montréal
Montréal, Québec, Canada
July 22, 2010
Faith Tourism Product Seminar to be Featured at THETRADESHOW
For Immediate Release
THETRADESHOW Spotlights Travel Product Seminars
Alexandria, Va., July 22, 2010 – THETRADESHOW (Orlando, Sept. 12-14) partners are pleased to announce the event’s newest presentation pavilion sponsors and product seminars. These sessions will provide an opportunity for travel agents to further their knowledge about the latest offerings from some of the most popular travel suppliers, as well as showcase the islands of Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.
“Product seminars and sessions carried out in the presentation pavilions provide travel agents a wonderful opportunity to keep up on the latest from some of the industry’s top suppliers, destinations and trends,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a partner of THETRADESHOW. “Those who take advantage will have a definite edge when it comes to planning the ideal trip for their clients.”
Presentation Pavilions
• How to Be Successful in Today’s Religious Marketplace as a Travel Provider. Brought to you by the World Religious Travel Association. Presented By Kevin J. Wright. In 20 minutes, travel agents who attend this session will receive the all-important “10 keys to success” in the religious marketplace from the industry’s top faith-based travel educator and four-time published author: Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. This seminar will provide agents: an opportunity to learn about the new era of today’s faith-based customer; concrete ideas on how to enter or expand their religious travel business; and an enriched vision, mission and strategy for accomplishing their agency goals.
THETRADESHOW (Travel Retailing and Destination Expo) is a 3-day, in-depth networking and educational event. Global and inclusive, THETRADESHOW unites under one roof travel suppliers and buyers from all over the world, representing every segment of the travel and tourism industry. It is the trade show event for travel decision makers. For more information on THETRADESHOW, please call visit THETRADESHOW.org.
Contact: Kristina Rundquist/Laura Gajewski 703.739.8710
###
THETRADESHOW Spotlights Travel Product Seminars
Alexandria, Va., July 22, 2010 – THETRADESHOW (Orlando, Sept. 12-14) partners are pleased to announce the event’s newest presentation pavilion sponsors and product seminars. These sessions will provide an opportunity for travel agents to further their knowledge about the latest offerings from some of the most popular travel suppliers, as well as showcase the islands of Puerto Rico and St. Lucia.
“Product seminars and sessions carried out in the presentation pavilions provide travel agents a wonderful opportunity to keep up on the latest from some of the industry’s top suppliers, destinations and trends,” said Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association, a partner of THETRADESHOW. “Those who take advantage will have a definite edge when it comes to planning the ideal trip for their clients.”
Presentation Pavilions
• How to Be Successful in Today’s Religious Marketplace as a Travel Provider. Brought to you by the World Religious Travel Association. Presented By Kevin J. Wright. In 20 minutes, travel agents who attend this session will receive the all-important “10 keys to success” in the religious marketplace from the industry’s top faith-based travel educator and four-time published author: Kevin J. Wright, president of the World Religious Travel Association. This seminar will provide agents: an opportunity to learn about the new era of today’s faith-based customer; concrete ideas on how to enter or expand their religious travel business; and an enriched vision, mission and strategy for accomplishing their agency goals.
THETRADESHOW (Travel Retailing and Destination Expo) is a 3-day, in-depth networking and educational event. Global and inclusive, THETRADESHOW unites under one roof travel suppliers and buyers from all over the world, representing every segment of the travel and tourism industry. It is the trade show event for travel decision makers. For more information on THETRADESHOW, please call visit THETRADESHOW.org.
Contact: Kristina Rundquist/Laura Gajewski 703.739.8710
###
June 30, 2010
Register today for next week's NASHVILLE Travel Ministry Conference
WRTA's Travel Ministry Conference--Nashville
Pastor and Religious Leaders, please join the World Religious Travel Association on July 8 at the Scarritt Bennett Center for the Nashville's Travel Ministry Conference. Led by WRTA President and Christian Travel Planner author Kevin J. Wright, participate in an interactive workshop and education session on building a travel ministry program.
You’ll learn how faith-based travel deepens spiritual growth and development while offering opportunities for fellowship and fun.
Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy of Kevin’s book, The Christian Travel Planner, to help you get started.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Downtown Nashville COMPLIMENTARY PARKING • GARDEN ADMISSION INCLUDED
Religious Leaders = $0
(If you sign up before July 6 !) (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)
<< More information here. >>
Additional Speakers
Pastor Roger McCurry (Activities & S.A. Pastor, Severns Valley Baptist Church in Kentucky)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)
Sponsors & Partners
Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
Leisure Group Travel
Exhibitors
Anchor Trailways & Tours
Faithful Holidays
Grueninger Tours
Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau
Trailways Transportation Systems
“It was truly a pleasure attending the very well executed WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago. The presentations were concise and the format creative. The Conference opened up a new world of travel groups for me.”
- Faith Mulvihill, Skydeck Chicago
We hope you’ll join us to explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your congregation, including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more.
Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.
Pastor and Religious Leaders, please join the World Religious Travel Association on July 8 at the Scarritt Bennett Center for the Nashville's Travel Ministry Conference. Led by WRTA President and Christian Travel Planner author Kevin J. Wright, participate in an interactive workshop and education session on building a travel ministry program.
You’ll learn how faith-based travel deepens spiritual growth and development while offering opportunities for fellowship and fun.
Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy of Kevin’s book, The Christian Travel Planner, to help you get started.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Downtown Nashville COMPLIMENTARY PARKING • GARDEN ADMISSION INCLUDED
Religious Leaders = $0
(If you sign up before July 6 !) (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)
<< More information here. >>
Additional Speakers
Pastor Roger McCurry (Activities & S.A. Pastor, Severns Valley Baptist Church in Kentucky)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)
Sponsors & Partners
Palestine Ministry of Tourism & Antiquities
Leisure Group Travel
Exhibitors
Anchor Trailways & Tours
Faithful Holidays
Grueninger Tours
Hershey Harrisburg Regional Visitors Bureau
Trailways Transportation Systems
“It was truly a pleasure attending the very well executed WRTA Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago. The presentations were concise and the format creative. The Conference opened up a new world of travel groups for me.”
- Faith Mulvihill, Skydeck Chicago
We hope you’ll join us to explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your congregation, including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more.
Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.
June 8, 2010
June 17th Travel Ministry Conference in Chicago/Attendees Receive FREE copy of The Christian Travel Planner
Attention: Pastors, Ministry Leaders, and Faith-based Travelers!
Join fellow pastors, religious leaders, travel agents and other faith community members at WRTA’s Travel Ministry Conference where you can discover how to build an effective travel ministry program.
When? Thursday, June 17, 2010
Where? Downtown Chicago (Parking and Museum Admission Included!)
SPEAKERS
Chicago's Rev. Ruth Newell (Chaplain, C-Beyond the Walls Outreach Ministry)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)
Kevin J. Wright (WRTA President and author of The Christian Travel Planner)
Cindi Brodhecker (President, Faith Travel Development & Consulting)Frank Scerri (Owner & Managing Director, Mission Travel Group of Australia)
Why Sign Up in Advance? Pre-registrants receive FREE copy of The Christian Travel Planner.
Best Yet! Cost for religious leaders or their representatives is FREE if you sign up before June 15! Just use promo code: Planner-M10
Day-of Admission = $20 (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)
<< More information here. >>
Explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your business including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more. Plus, meet with tourism and travel providers specializing in faith-based travel, including The Christian Travel Planner author, Kevin J. Wright. Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy.
Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/ to register. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at members@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.
World Religious Travel Association
2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325 Lexington, KY 40504
888.255.9782 ext. 101 or +1.859.219.3529
headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com
http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/
Join fellow pastors, religious leaders, travel agents and other faith community members at WRTA’s Travel Ministry Conference where you can discover how to build an effective travel ministry program.
When? Thursday, June 17, 2010
Where? Downtown Chicago (Parking and Museum Admission Included!)
SPEAKERS
Chicago's Rev. Ruth Newell (Chaplain, C-Beyond the Walls Outreach Ministry)
Torre Ossmo (Vice President and General Manager, Faithful Holidays)
Kevin J. Wright (WRTA President and author of The Christian Travel Planner)
Cindi Brodhecker (President, Faith Travel Development & Consulting)Frank Scerri (Owner & Managing Director, Mission Travel Group of Australia)
Why Sign Up in Advance? Pre-registrants receive FREE copy of The Christian Travel Planner.
Best Yet! Cost for religious leaders or their representatives is FREE if you sign up before June 15! Just use promo code: Planner-M10Day-of Admission = $20 (includes a WRTA Membership for 2010)
<< More information here. >>
Explore the many faith-based opportunities that exist for your business including pilgrimages, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, fellowship cruises, retreats, adventure trips, religious attractions, and much more. Plus, meet with tourism and travel providers specializing in faith-based travel, including The Christian Travel Planner author, Kevin J. Wright. Sign up in advance to receive a complimentary copy.
Visit us at http://www.travelministryconference.com/ to register. Or, give us a call at 888.255.9782 or send us an email at members@WRTAreligioustravel.com if you have questions or want to know more about WRTA.
World Religious Travel Association
2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite A325 Lexington, KY 40504
888.255.9782 ext. 101 or +1.859.219.3529
headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com
http://www.wrtareligioustravel.com/
June 4, 2010
Pope in Cyprus for the first time
From Cyprus Tourism Organization
http://www.visitcyprus.com/
Pope in Cyprus for the first time
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cyprus today on a three-day "pilgrimage" trip.
The pontiff, who said he was following in the footsteps of the apostles
Paul and Barnabas, said the island was blessed by a "resilient Christian
heritage" and saluted the head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop
Chrysostomos II, as his "brother".
The Pope was greeted in the southwestern resort of Paphos by Chrysostomos
and by President Demetris Christofias, who said: "Cyprus is in need of your
words of peace, given the difficult situation the island is facing."
Turkish troops have been stationed in the breakaway north of the island since a
1974 invasion in reaction to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking to unite the
island with Greece.
"Allow me to say that Cyprus is in need of your prayers and your
contribution in order to quickly regain its unity and freedom," the president added.
The 83-year-old pontiff made an oblique reference to the division, which
continues after decades of fruitless UN-sponsored talks. "May the love of
your families and the desire to live in harmony with your neighbours" under
God's protection "inspire you patiently to resolve the remaining concerns
that you share with the international community for the future of your
island," he said.
Benedict is the first pope to visit Cyprus, and this is his first trip to
an Orthodox country. His first stop after leaving the Paphos airport was
the nearby ancient church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa and St Paul's
Pillar, where he was to take part in an "ecumenical celebration" with
Chrysostomos, who has called on people to welcome him.
He also has an official mission to hand over to Catholic prelates who have
come to Cyprus from the Middle East a working document for a synod on
regional issues to be held in October.
The pope will spend Saturday and Sunday in the capital Nicosia, where he
will celebrate two masses.
For more information please contact our office.
Tasoula Manaridis, Director
Cyprus Tourism Organization
Tel: (212) 683-5280
http://www.visitcyprus.com/
http://www.visitcyprus.com/
Pope in Cyprus for the first time
Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cyprus today on a three-day "pilgrimage" trip.
The pontiff, who said he was following in the footsteps of the apostles
Paul and Barnabas, said the island was blessed by a "resilient Christian
heritage" and saluted the head of the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, Archbishop
Chrysostomos II, as his "brother".
The Pope was greeted in the southwestern resort of Paphos by Chrysostomos
and by President Demetris Christofias, who said: "Cyprus is in need of your
words of peace, given the difficult situation the island is facing."
Turkish troops have been stationed in the breakaway north of the island since a
1974 invasion in reaction to a Greek Cypriot coup seeking to unite the
island with Greece.
"Allow me to say that Cyprus is in need of your prayers and your
contribution in order to quickly regain its unity and freedom," the president added.
The 83-year-old pontiff made an oblique reference to the division, which
continues after decades of fruitless UN-sponsored talks. "May the love of
your families and the desire to live in harmony with your neighbours" under
God's protection "inspire you patiently to resolve the remaining concerns
that you share with the international community for the future of your
island," he said.
Benedict is the first pope to visit Cyprus, and this is his first trip to
an Orthodox country. His first stop after leaving the Paphos airport was
the nearby ancient church of Agia Kyriaki Chrysopolitissa and St Paul's
Pillar, where he was to take part in an "ecumenical celebration" with
Chrysostomos, who has called on people to welcome him.
He also has an official mission to hand over to Catholic prelates who have
come to Cyprus from the Middle East a working document for a synod on
regional issues to be held in October.
The pope will spend Saturday and Sunday in the capital Nicosia, where he
will celebrate two masses.
For more information please contact our office.
Tasoula Manaridis, Director
Cyprus Tourism Organization
Tel: (212) 683-5280
http://www.visitcyprus.com/
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