Never before has a guide to the $18 billion faith tourism and hospitality marketplace been produced and distributed throughout North America and around the world. This is extraordinary considering religious travel is one of the oldest and fastest growing segments of the travel industry. Thanks to the debut of the WRTA Religious Travel Buyers Guide, you now possess the definitive “go to” publication for faith-based travel opportunities and networking.
The timing of this publication could not be better. In 2008, the WRTA hosted the World Religious Travel Expo, the first-ever gathering of the faith tourism marketplace featuring hundreds of travel organizations, professionals, and planners from 30 countries. This remarkable event officially ushered in a new era of religious travel and hospitality.
What is the New Era of Religious Travel & Hospitality?
Today, faith-based travel appeals to all ages, comprises a diverse range of travel experiences, encompasses destinations both near and afar, and is driven by a desire for quality products and services.
How can I make the most of the WRTA Religious Travel Buyers Guide?
Be pro-active in using this authoritative guide to the “Who’s Who” in the faith tourism industry. Mark up this book; highlight it; make notes in it. Whether you are a member of the travel trade, group planner, religious leader, or a faith community—you can use this compendium to network with and/or learn about providers, destinations and suppliers specializing in travel products and services for religious travelers and groups.
What types of companies, products, services, and faith vacation opportunities can I find in the WRTA Religious Travel Buyer’s Guide?
Tour operators
Travel agencies
Tourist offices
Visitors bureaus
Travel wholesalers
Cruise agencies
Attractions
Travel Trade Assoc.
Incoming/receptives
Hotels/lodging
Religious sites
Cruise lines
Air services
Airport parking
Safari operators
Rail/train services
Travel health
Event services
Retail services
Travel insurance
How can I get more copies of the WRTA Religious Travel Buyer’s Guide? How can our organization be featured in future editions? Contact the World Religious Travel Association at www.WRTAreligioustravel.com; 888.255.WRTA (9782), ext. 101.
Apr 29, 2009
Apr 13, 2009
40%+ Surge in Pilgrims to Israel
43-percent surge in Christian pilgrims
The Jerusalem Post
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
To read the full story, click here: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562896531&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Christian tourism to Israel has increased by 17 percent since Pope John Paul II visited nine years ago, the Tourism Ministry said on Thursday.
Nearly 1.8 million of the 3 million tourists who came to Israel last year were Christians, the ministry said. In 2000, 1.5 million Christians came.
The number of Christian visitors from Eastern Europe and Africa was up dramatically in 2008 compared to 2000, while the figures for Western Europe and Asia fell.
Meanwhile, there was a 40% increase in Christians from the United States visiting Israel last year compared to the year 2000, while there were fewer visitors from Latin America, including a 64% drop from Argentina and 37% decrease from Mexico.
Last year, more than a million incoming tourists defined themselves as Catholic, 300,000 as Protestant, 360,000 as "other Christian," and 75,000 as Evangelicals, according to the Tourism Ministry statistics that were released during a tour of Christian holy sites in Nazareth ahead of the Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Holy Land next month.
Meanwhile, the number of Christian visitors who defined themselves as pilgrims shot up a whopping 43% over the last eight years, with more than one million in 2008 - more than half of the Christian visitors - calling themselves pilgrims.
The pope will visit the Holy Land between May 11 and 15, with stops that will include Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth.
The ministry hopes the papal visit will be an impetus to further increase Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as was the case in the months after John Paul's visit in 2000. Last year was a record year for tourism to Israel.
The Jerusalem Post
By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
To read the full story, click here: http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1238562896531&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
Christian tourism to Israel has increased by 17 percent since Pope John Paul II visited nine years ago, the Tourism Ministry said on Thursday.
Nearly 1.8 million of the 3 million tourists who came to Israel last year were Christians, the ministry said. In 2000, 1.5 million Christians came.
The number of Christian visitors from Eastern Europe and Africa was up dramatically in 2008 compared to 2000, while the figures for Western Europe and Asia fell.
Meanwhile, there was a 40% increase in Christians from the United States visiting Israel last year compared to the year 2000, while there were fewer visitors from Latin America, including a 64% drop from Argentina and 37% decrease from Mexico.
Last year, more than a million incoming tourists defined themselves as Catholic, 300,000 as Protestant, 360,000 as "other Christian," and 75,000 as Evangelicals, according to the Tourism Ministry statistics that were released during a tour of Christian holy sites in Nazareth ahead of the Pope Benedict XVI's visit to the Holy Land next month.
Meanwhile, the number of Christian visitors who defined themselves as pilgrims shot up a whopping 43% over the last eight years, with more than one million in 2008 - more than half of the Christian visitors - calling themselves pilgrims.
The pope will visit the Holy Land between May 11 and 15, with stops that will include Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Nazareth.
The ministry hopes the papal visit will be an impetus to further increase Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land, as was the case in the months after John Paul's visit in 2000. Last year was a record year for tourism to Israel.
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