Read story at http://www.silverlight-travel.com/turin/index.php/2009/06/shroud-of-turin-to-boost-religious-travel/
After 10 years of being locked away, the Shroud of Turin is slated for display in 2010. It is normally rolled up and locked away in a silver box, and kept under close guard in the Chapel of the Holy Shroud, with a replica on display. But Pope Benedict has announced that the real thing will be put on display for the faithful to see next year, and as a result, religious travel promises to be booming.
The Shroud is a linen cloth (measuring approximately 14 1/2 x 4 feet) that is believed to have been the burial cloth of Jesus. Many Christians believe that the cloth has an image of a crucified man, with a beard and long hair, with arms folded across his chest. The cloth appears to have blood, seemingly from wounds in the wrists, feet and side.
June 28, 2009
Turkey Introducing ’strategic depth’ to tourism including "faith tourism"
Read the full story at http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/opinion/11937017.asp?scr=1
And then yesterday we reported that Bursa is planning to diversify its economy with a tourism campaign that will embrace faith tourism during the month of Ramadan, encouraging visitors to historic mosques and tombs. Planners of this campaign also see potential in sports and nature tourism.
And then yesterday we reported that Bursa is planning to diversify its economy with a tourism campaign that will embrace faith tourism during the month of Ramadan, encouraging visitors to historic mosques and tombs. Planners of this campaign also see potential in sports and nature tourism.
Winston-Salem Targets Religious Groups for Tourism Dollars
By Brent Campbell FOX8 News
June 26, 2009
Read full story at http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-winston-salem-religious-tourism-090626,0,3045949.story
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - With nearly 2,000 people in town for five nights, the western North Carolina conference of the AME Zion church is, in many ways, a Godsend to Winston-Salem's struggling tourism industry.
Hotel room sales are down 8 percent in the downtown Twin City Quarter, which includes Embassy Suites and Marriott. So in an effort to reverse that trend, the city's tourism arm has shifted focus from attracting individual and business travelers to youth sporting events, collegiate sports and religious organizations, among others.
"We've had a tough time of it since the fourth quarter last year," said Ron Stephens, of the Twin City Quarter. "Things tanked and tanked quickly, and then the first six months of this year have lagged greatly behind last year."
In a recent study by the Travel Industry Association, one-fourth of travelers said they would be more likely to spend money on a religious trip before an individual vacation.
"In these difficult economic times, it is good to know people of faith do not allow circumstances to determine their actions, particularly as it relates to things of God," said Dr. Seth Lartey, an official in the AME Zion denomination.
And it's that kind of commitment Winston-Salem is banking on.
"I think any sort of faith-based organization is important to everyone, particularly when things are not good," said Stephens.
Once the AME Zion conference concludes, the city will prepare for nearly 8,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, who will arrive over the next four weeks for the group's annual conference.
Copyright © 2009, WGHP-TV
June 26, 2009
Read full story at http://www.myfox8.com/news/wghp-winston-salem-religious-tourism-090626,0,3045949.story
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - With nearly 2,000 people in town for five nights, the western North Carolina conference of the AME Zion church is, in many ways, a Godsend to Winston-Salem's struggling tourism industry.
Hotel room sales are down 8 percent in the downtown Twin City Quarter, which includes Embassy Suites and Marriott. So in an effort to reverse that trend, the city's tourism arm has shifted focus from attracting individual and business travelers to youth sporting events, collegiate sports and religious organizations, among others.
"We've had a tough time of it since the fourth quarter last year," said Ron Stephens, of the Twin City Quarter. "Things tanked and tanked quickly, and then the first six months of this year have lagged greatly behind last year."
In a recent study by the Travel Industry Association, one-fourth of travelers said they would be more likely to spend money on a religious trip before an individual vacation.
"In these difficult economic times, it is good to know people of faith do not allow circumstances to determine their actions, particularly as it relates to things of God," said Dr. Seth Lartey, an official in the AME Zion denomination.
And it's that kind of commitment Winston-Salem is banking on.
"I think any sort of faith-based organization is important to everyone, particularly when things are not good," said Stephens.
Once the AME Zion conference concludes, the city will prepare for nearly 8,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, who will arrive over the next four weeks for the group's annual conference.
Copyright © 2009, WGHP-TV
Turkey becomes growingly popular stop for Muslim pilgrims
Read the full article at http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=179255&bolum=101
28 June 2009, Sunday
TODAY'S ZAMAN
ROBERTA DAVENPORT İSTANBUL
Here's secitons of the article...
In addition to the waters of the Bosporus and the intrigue of street markets, the nightlife, historic buildings and landmarks at every turn, İstanbul is home to an Islamic history and Muslim-friendly accommodations that are making it an increasingly popular stopover for travelers on their way back from pilgrimages to Mecca.
On a sunny weekday afternoon in the Sultanahmet district, a group of British men form a line outside the Blue Mosque. They are not at the mosque entrance alongside the groups of tourists from Japan, Spain and the US, who await the end of the afternoon prayer so that they can enter and take pictures, but are instead standing around the fountain in the mosque's courtyard, waiting for their turn to make ablutions so that they can join the prayer. The men are among a growing demographic of tourists visiting İstanbul, Muslims from Europe, the United States, Indonesia and beyond who elect to finish off their religious pilgrimages to Mecca in Saudi Arabia with a trip to İstanbul, the last center of the caliphate and the point from which the Muslim world was administrated for centuries.
Muslim tourism needs attention, development
While Turkish tourism and border authorities keep figures on the number of tourists traveling to Turkey from Muslim countries, there are no figures on how many are coming to the country for religiously related purposes. And while tour operators say there has been a noticeable increase in interest in religious tourism packages for Muslims, more effort is needed to help the tourism niche grow. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and tourism marketing agencies have taken an increased interest in developing Christian and Jewish faith-based tourist packages in recent years, yet growing numbers of Muslim tourists coming to Turkey from Europe and beyond have gained comparatively little attention from tour operators.
Read the rest of the article at http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=179255&bolum=101
28 June 2009, Sunday
TODAY'S ZAMAN
ROBERTA DAVENPORT İSTANBUL
Here's secitons of the article...
In addition to the waters of the Bosporus and the intrigue of street markets, the nightlife, historic buildings and landmarks at every turn, İstanbul is home to an Islamic history and Muslim-friendly accommodations that are making it an increasingly popular stopover for travelers on their way back from pilgrimages to Mecca.
On a sunny weekday afternoon in the Sultanahmet district, a group of British men form a line outside the Blue Mosque. They are not at the mosque entrance alongside the groups of tourists from Japan, Spain and the US, who await the end of the afternoon prayer so that they can enter and take pictures, but are instead standing around the fountain in the mosque's courtyard, waiting for their turn to make ablutions so that they can join the prayer. The men are among a growing demographic of tourists visiting İstanbul, Muslims from Europe, the United States, Indonesia and beyond who elect to finish off their religious pilgrimages to Mecca in Saudi Arabia with a trip to İstanbul, the last center of the caliphate and the point from which the Muslim world was administrated for centuries.
Muslim tourism needs attention, development
While Turkish tourism and border authorities keep figures on the number of tourists traveling to Turkey from Muslim countries, there are no figures on how many are coming to the country for religiously related purposes. And while tour operators say there has been a noticeable increase in interest in religious tourism packages for Muslims, more effort is needed to help the tourism niche grow. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism and tourism marketing agencies have taken an increased interest in developing Christian and Jewish faith-based tourist packages in recent years, yet growing numbers of Muslim tourists coming to Turkey from Europe and beyond have gained comparatively little attention from tour operators.
Read the rest of the article at http://www.todayszaman.com/tz-web/detaylar.do?load=detay&link=179255&bolum=101
June 27, 2009
World Religious Travel Expo Debuts Theme: Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever
Lexington, Ky. (PRWEB) June 27, 2009 -- The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) has announced "Make 2010 Your Best Year Ever" as its official theme for this fall's World Religious Travel Expo. The newly chosen motto will serve as the guiding principle and overall purpose of the three-day event.
"Our theme serves as an invitation to tap into the flourishing religious travel and hospitality industry," said WRTA president, Kevin J. Wright. "We all know this is a very trying time for many companies. However, as faith tourism provides new market and revenue possibilities, the World Religious Travel Expo provides organizations with a renewed opportunity to experience their best year yet."
Faith-based travel and hospitality has become an important new market segment for many tour operators, travel agents, destinations and suppliers in the industry. In the past year alone, the religious market has taken on even greater significance, due to its recession-proof and groups-dominated attributes. An estimated 75% of faith-based travelers prefer to travel in group settings while 80% would like to repeat their religious travel experience. Challenging times only serve to bring people of faith together in greater numbers for travel or convention purposes; providing a much needed "stimulus" to the industry.
WRTA recently opened registrations for the Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association Annual Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888-255-WRTA (9782) or +1-859-219-3529 or by email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about WRTA and the Expo, visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com and www.WRTAexpo.com respectively.
World Religious Travel Association (WRTA):
WRTA is the leading global network for the $18 billion faith tourism industry. WRTA's primary purpose is to guide, enrich, and expand religious travel and hospitality around the globe via the trade, consumer, and media. Its membership is comprised of accommodations, attractions, tour operators, travel agents, tourism offices, transportation services, media and other key players in the tourism industry.
# # #
"Our theme serves as an invitation to tap into the flourishing religious travel and hospitality industry," said WRTA president, Kevin J. Wright. "We all know this is a very trying time for many companies. However, as faith tourism provides new market and revenue possibilities, the World Religious Travel Expo provides organizations with a renewed opportunity to experience their best year yet."
Faith-based travel and hospitality has become an important new market segment for many tour operators, travel agents, destinations and suppliers in the industry. In the past year alone, the religious market has taken on even greater significance, due to its recession-proof and groups-dominated attributes. An estimated 75% of faith-based travelers prefer to travel in group settings while 80% would like to repeat their religious travel experience. Challenging times only serve to bring people of faith together in greater numbers for travel or convention purposes; providing a much needed "stimulus" to the industry.
WRTA recently opened registrations for the Word Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada (USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to draw tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National Tour Association Annual Convention, offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.
For more information about attending or exhibiting at the World Religious Travel Expo, contact the World Religious Travel Association at 888-255-WRTA (9782) or +1-859-219-3529 or by email headquarters@WRTAreligioustravel.com. For more information about WRTA and the Expo, visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com and www.WRTAexpo.com respectively.
World Religious Travel Association (WRTA):
WRTA is the leading global network for the $18 billion faith tourism industry. WRTA's primary purpose is to guide, enrich, and expand religious travel and hospitality around the globe via the trade, consumer, and media. Its membership is comprised of accommodations, attractions, tour operators, travel agents, tourism offices, transportation services, media and other key players in the tourism industry.
# # #
June 26, 2009
2010 to be "banner year" for pilgrimage celebrations
(GERMANY) The every-decade Passion Play takes place in 2010 in Oberammergau, Germany.
(SPAIN) Santiago de Compostela to celebrate its Holy Year in 2010. An estimated 10 million pilgrims and visitors are expected.
(ITALY)The Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ, is scheduled for the first time in 10 years to be displayed for the public in 2010.
If you are a travel provider for people of faith, be sure to integrate these itineraries into your portfolio. If you're a traveler, you might consider traveling to the Passion Play, Sanitago de Compostela, or to Italy to see the Shroud of Turin.
(SPAIN) Santiago de Compostela to celebrate its Holy Year in 2010. An estimated 10 million pilgrims and visitors are expected.
(ITALY)The Shroud of Turin, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ, is scheduled for the first time in 10 years to be displayed for the public in 2010.
If you are a travel provider for people of faith, be sure to integrate these itineraries into your portfolio. If you're a traveler, you might consider traveling to the Passion Play, Sanitago de Compostela, or to Italy to see the Shroud of Turin.
June 21, 2009
Thank God for religious conventions
Full story at: http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090609/COLUMNISTS50/906090315/1046/BUSINESS/Thank+God+for+religious+conventions+in+city
Thank God for religious conventions. In an average year, the tourism forecast for Fort Collins would be rather bleak under these economic conditions.
We foresaw some of these changes and focused efforts and resources on securing convention business for this summer, primarily in the religious market. Being an odd-numbered year, we will see the return of Campus Crusade for Christ International, which will hold its summer training conference in Fort Collins, having met here for more than 40 years.
Even this longstanding event was in question recently, and a coordinated effort by Colorado State University, city, community and CVB interests worked to keep Campus Crusade coming back. This long-standing event is one of the major drivers of restaurant and retail spending, with participants staying here for two months and peaking at 7,000 attendees.
This summer also will mark the return of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses to Fort Collins and the Budweiser Events Center. We will host three weekends this year, and four in 2010, business that has been away from the city for a couple of years. Although the meeting is held at the Budweiser Event Center, organizers are loyal to their host, sending their hotel bookings to Fort Collins first.
It won't be a record year for tourism in this economic climate. But we feel the group business coming this summer will help close the gap.
Thank God for religious conventions.
Jim Clark is executive director of the Fort Collins Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Thank God for religious conventions. In an average year, the tourism forecast for Fort Collins would be rather bleak under these economic conditions.
We foresaw some of these changes and focused efforts and resources on securing convention business for this summer, primarily in the religious market. Being an odd-numbered year, we will see the return of Campus Crusade for Christ International, which will hold its summer training conference in Fort Collins, having met here for more than 40 years.
Even this longstanding event was in question recently, and a coordinated effort by Colorado State University, city, community and CVB interests worked to keep Campus Crusade coming back. This long-standing event is one of the major drivers of restaurant and retail spending, with participants staying here for two months and peaking at 7,000 attendees.
This summer also will mark the return of the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses to Fort Collins and the Budweiser Events Center. We will host three weekends this year, and four in 2010, business that has been away from the city for a couple of years. Although the meeting is held at the Budweiser Event Center, organizers are loyal to their host, sending their hotel bookings to Fort Collins first.
It won't be a record year for tourism in this economic climate. But we feel the group business coming this summer will help close the gap.
Thank God for religious conventions.
Jim Clark is executive director of the Fort Collins Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Faithful flock to Springfield
Full story at http://www.news-leader.com/article/20090606/LIFE07/906060360/Faithful+flock+to+city
Affordability and accessibility are among the reasons religious organizations decide to hold conferences in Springfield. "The religious market segment is our second largest," a CVB official said.
Linda Leicht
News-Leader
There are about 2,000 more people in Springfield this weekend, and another 2,200 are expected in a few weeks.
Those visitors represent a market that brings plenty of group events to the city -- religion.
"The religious market segment is our second-largest," behind sporting events, says June Lammers, sales manager with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This month alone, the Missouri conference of the United Methodist Church is holding a four-day event over this weekend, and the American Baptist Association will have its national assembly here June 23-25.
The reasons for picking Springfield are varied, but two things are at the top of most lists -- affordability and accessibility, says Lammers.
Number of denominations
The United Methodists have been coming to Springfield since 2006 and are booked at the Exposition Center in Springfield through 2014.
The American Baptists are here for the first time this year, beating out Wichita, Kan., and Birmingham and Mobile, Ala.
The Missouri Baptist Convention and the Missionary Baptist State Convention have been here in the past, and the United Pentecostal Church Women's Ministries will be here next year.
Lammers hopes to bring the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Convention and some Church of God groups.
Fresh Grounded Faith, a nationally held women's conference organized by Springfield resident Jennifer Rothschild, attracted more than 1,000 people last year at High Street Baptist Church. An even larger group will meeting here in November at Second Baptist Church.
Topping the list
Sherry Habben, director of connectional ministries with the United Methodists, says Springfield meets all five of the church's criteria: large enough space for the meetings, hotel space for attendees, plenty of convenient parking for the mostly drive-in attendance, dining facilities and affordability.
But another criteria puts the city over the top, she said -- hospitality.
"We have been quite pleased," she says. "The (University Plaza) hotel staff has been wonderful in working with us."
Eddie Sutton, director of meeting arrangements for the American Baptists, says Springfield has been on top of the group's list since 2000, when Lammers first proposed the city for their 2003 meeting. But delays in construction of the Expo Center meant a switch to Wichita that year.
"June never quit working on it," he says. "She kept pushing for Springfield."
It turned out to be a good choice. Within three hours of opening reservation at University Plaza for the meeting, the hotel was sold out, Sutton says. He is now setting up rooms at five hotels in the city.
Lammers says that when the members voted on Springfield, many of the people told her they were excited to visit Bass Pro Shops, Fantastic Caverns and Branson.
"Their attendance has just exploded having their convention in this area," she says. "Our location is a big part of the reason for that."
Fresh Grounded Faith meetings are held around the country each year, but it is less about accommodations than it is about attitude that brings the conference to a city, says organizer Theresa Wiggins.
The conference does not focus on one denomination or even on church, she says. "It is a community outreach."
To qualify, a community must demonstrate a willingness on the part of many churches and denominations to work together to make it happen.
"We really want the community to be unified," Wiggins says.
"Although it may be held at a church, it is a coming together of women in harmony. It is bigger than the church."
Springfield has demonstrated that it has that cooperation. Last year, 11,398 women from 11 states worked on the event and attended, representing 188 churches from 16 denominations. Wiggins expects even more involvement this year.
"It was interesting ... how many people responded that they want their church involved..." she said.
"People can feel safe"
Lammers attends trade shows for two religious planning organizations, the Religious Conference Management Association and Rejuvenate. There, she is able to learn about the needs of the groups and promote Springfield.
Besides the top two, affordability and accessibility, Lammers finds that Springfield's "friendly atmosphere" and low crime rate are major issues for many groups. "People can feel safe here," she says.
The need for more hotel rooms close to the Expo Center and more access to affordable air service are among the few drawbacks to the city, she adds.
Money is a top consideration, especially in today's economic environment, Lammers and event organizers agree.
"In these times, people are looking for things to do," says Wiggins. "If it's an affordable event, they'll go."
The struggling economy has not reduced the number of people attending religious events and conferences, Lammers says.
"What we find with the religious market ... is that in times when the world is in turmoil, we see an increase in attendance."
Additional Facts
"June never quit working on it. She kept pushing for Springfield."
-- Eddie Sutton, director of meeting arrangements for the American Baptists
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Affordability and accessibility are among the reasons religious organizations decide to hold conferences in Springfield. "The religious market segment is our second largest," a CVB official said.
Linda Leicht
News-Leader
There are about 2,000 more people in Springfield this weekend, and another 2,200 are expected in a few weeks.
Those visitors represent a market that brings plenty of group events to the city -- religion.
"The religious market segment is our second-largest," behind sporting events, says June Lammers, sales manager with the Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau.
This month alone, the Missouri conference of the United Methodist Church is holding a four-day event over this weekend, and the American Baptist Association will have its national assembly here June 23-25.
The reasons for picking Springfield are varied, but two things are at the top of most lists -- affordability and accessibility, says Lammers.
Number of denominations
The United Methodists have been coming to Springfield since 2006 and are booked at the Exposition Center in Springfield through 2014.
The American Baptists are here for the first time this year, beating out Wichita, Kan., and Birmingham and Mobile, Ala.
The Missouri Baptist Convention and the Missionary Baptist State Convention have been here in the past, and the United Pentecostal Church Women's Ministries will be here next year.
Lammers hopes to bring the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Youth Convention and some Church of God groups.
Fresh Grounded Faith, a nationally held women's conference organized by Springfield resident Jennifer Rothschild, attracted more than 1,000 people last year at High Street Baptist Church. An even larger group will meeting here in November at Second Baptist Church.
Topping the list
Sherry Habben, director of connectional ministries with the United Methodists, says Springfield meets all five of the church's criteria: large enough space for the meetings, hotel space for attendees, plenty of convenient parking for the mostly drive-in attendance, dining facilities and affordability.
But another criteria puts the city over the top, she said -- hospitality.
"We have been quite pleased," she says. "The (University Plaza) hotel staff has been wonderful in working with us."
Eddie Sutton, director of meeting arrangements for the American Baptists, says Springfield has been on top of the group's list since 2000, when Lammers first proposed the city for their 2003 meeting. But delays in construction of the Expo Center meant a switch to Wichita that year.
"June never quit working on it," he says. "She kept pushing for Springfield."
It turned out to be a good choice. Within three hours of opening reservation at University Plaza for the meeting, the hotel was sold out, Sutton says. He is now setting up rooms at five hotels in the city.
Lammers says that when the members voted on Springfield, many of the people told her they were excited to visit Bass Pro Shops, Fantastic Caverns and Branson.
"Their attendance has just exploded having their convention in this area," she says. "Our location is a big part of the reason for that."
Fresh Grounded Faith meetings are held around the country each year, but it is less about accommodations than it is about attitude that brings the conference to a city, says organizer Theresa Wiggins.
The conference does not focus on one denomination or even on church, she says. "It is a community outreach."
To qualify, a community must demonstrate a willingness on the part of many churches and denominations to work together to make it happen.
"We really want the community to be unified," Wiggins says.
"Although it may be held at a church, it is a coming together of women in harmony. It is bigger than the church."
Springfield has demonstrated that it has that cooperation. Last year, 11,398 women from 11 states worked on the event and attended, representing 188 churches from 16 denominations. Wiggins expects even more involvement this year.
"It was interesting ... how many people responded that they want their church involved..." she said.
"People can feel safe"
Lammers attends trade shows for two religious planning organizations, the Religious Conference Management Association and Rejuvenate. There, she is able to learn about the needs of the groups and promote Springfield.
Besides the top two, affordability and accessibility, Lammers finds that Springfield's "friendly atmosphere" and low crime rate are major issues for many groups. "People can feel safe here," she says.
The need for more hotel rooms close to the Expo Center and more access to affordable air service are among the few drawbacks to the city, she adds.
Money is a top consideration, especially in today's economic environment, Lammers and event organizers agree.
"In these times, people are looking for things to do," says Wiggins. "If it's an affordable event, they'll go."
The struggling economy has not reduced the number of people attending religious events and conferences, Lammers says.
"What we find with the religious market ... is that in times when the world is in turmoil, we see an increase in attendance."
Additional Facts
"June never quit working on it. She kept pushing for Springfield."
-- Eddie Sutton, director of meeting arrangements for the American Baptists
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tour Operators Union of Ghana (TOUGHA) states religious tourism important
Full story at: http://www.newtimesonline.com/content/view/19900/48/
— “Tour operators should give religious tourism a serious thought. All the churches — the Presbyterian Church for example — have interesting historic sites that can be included in their itineraries. It will help inculcate good morals among travelers.” Rev. G. O. Kwapong, Victory Presbyterian Church, Adenta.
— “Tour operators should give religious tourism a serious thought. All the churches — the Presbyterian Church for example — have interesting historic sites that can be included in their itineraries. It will help inculcate good morals among travelers.” Rev. G. O. Kwapong, Victory Presbyterian Church, Adenta.
$333m Saudi hotel projects set to meet pilgrim demand
Click here for full story.
Tourism chiefs in Saudi Arabia say they have invested $333m in new hotel projects in a bid to take advantage in a boom in religious tourism.
The Elaf Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO) which serves the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hotel industries, has announced an expansion in its hotel offering with five hotels projects in three holy cities.
The move has been driven by a significant surge in religious tourism, which according to recent reports has achieved a 30 percent growth in the first quarter of 2009.
Elaf has particularly prepared for the new Umrah season that started in February, noting a considerable growth trend as around 3.5 million pilgrims are expected to visit the kingdom in the current Umrah season.
Religious tourism in Saudi generates around $7 billion annually according to recent reports, while the government has allocated a total of $38 billion in tourism infrastructure and transport systems, including a high-speed railway system that will link Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah - three key travel destinations in the country.
Tourism chiefs in Saudi Arabia say they have invested $333m in new hotel projects in a bid to take advantage in a boom in religious tourism.
The Elaf Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Economic and Development Company (SEDCO) which serves the Saudi Arabian travel, tourism and hotel industries, has announced an expansion in its hotel offering with five hotels projects in three holy cities.
The move has been driven by a significant surge in religious tourism, which according to recent reports has achieved a 30 percent growth in the first quarter of 2009.
Elaf has particularly prepared for the new Umrah season that started in February, noting a considerable growth trend as around 3.5 million pilgrims are expected to visit the kingdom in the current Umrah season.
Religious tourism in Saudi generates around $7 billion annually according to recent reports, while the government has allocated a total of $38 billion in tourism infrastructure and transport systems, including a high-speed railway system that will link Jeddah, Makkah and Madinah - three key travel destinations in the country.
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