April - May, 2010
Dear Kevin,
Greetings to you and welcome to a combined April - May, 2010 edition of Nautical Journeys.
Looking back on the first quarter of 2010, the cruise industry is going strong, thanks in large part to the prevailing view that cruising provides the highest all-inclusive value for a travel investment. When you combine that with the excitement of new ships on the market, and an increasing number of worldwide ports to explore, the opportunities for cruise travel seem endless. After first-time cruisers see how much there is to love about the cruise lifestyle, many are eager to get back on a ship and venture somewhere even further and more exotic, especially when joined by family and friends from within their own faith community. And there has been an explosion of new itineraries for 2011 in the Eastern Mediterranean that include the Holy Land, building on the claim by the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) that the $18 billion faith tourism industry is alive and well. Many of these itineraries are especially well-suited to churches, synagogues and faith-based organizations.
Our destination spotlight this month is on Istanbul, Turkey which also appears on one of our four itineraries to be offered to faith-based groups for next year. Note the four itineraries to the right of this message. These offers of space can be customized for your group or booked as the all-inclusive packages they are by contacting me at 925-465-6038 or 888-882-5701. I would be delighted to get started with a 2011 project for your church or synagogue now.
In the meantime, please accept my prayerful support and best wishes for your ministry as you lead your faith community through this next Season of Pentecost. And, note the free offer from Princess Cruises at the bottom of this newsletter under 'Cruise News and Cruise Specials'. Stay in touch!
With all good wishes and best regards,
Ron Hermanson
Franchise Owner
Ron Hermanson, ACC, CPCE
925-465-6038 or 888-882-5701
http://rhermanson.cruiseholidays.com
May 27, 2010
May 16, 2010
WRTA Proclaims 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry
The World Religious Travel Association to host Travel Ministry Conferences in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego.
LEXINGTON, KY. – The World Religious Travel Association has designated 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry. Serving as a year-long campaign promoting the benefits of travel direct to faith-based communities and individuals, the purpose and goal of the new theme is three-fold: (1) Encourage people to integrate travel with their faith. (2) Assist faith communities in developing travel programs. (3) Promote and increase awareness of the many faith-based vacation opportunities available.
To kickoff the celebrations, WRTA has announced the hosting of five Travel Ministry Conferences across the United States throughout the summer in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego. Each half-day event is designed for religious leaders as well as group travel planners and individual travelers to learn and discover how to build (or enrich) a travel program at their respective faith community. This year’s theme and focus follows on the heels of WRTA’s 2009 declaration as The Year of Faith Tourism.
“Of the many wonderful initiatives we’ve put into place here at WRTA, we are especially excited about our travel ministry conferences,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “For several years both the travel trade and faith-based communities have been asking us to host such events. With our new announcement, we’ll be making a lot of people joyful in 2010 and we expect these new conferences to be both very successful, as well as the start of a new era for WRTA’s regional activities.”
The Travel Ministry Conferences also provide an excellent venue for travel providers and tourism organizations to meet and interact with attendees, religious leaders and travelers. Members of the travel trade can attend, exhibit at, or sponsor any or all of the conferences.
For more information about the Travel Ministry Conferences visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com. For faith-based communities, organizations and individuals interested in attending and participating in the Travel Ministry Conferences, contact WRTA staff at 859.219.3529 or 888.255.WRTA, ext. 101.
For travel trade companies and professionals interested in attending, exhibiting at, or sponsoring the Travel Ministry Conference events, contact Kami Risk.
LEXINGTON, KY. – The World Religious Travel Association has designated 2010 The Year of Travel Ministry. Serving as a year-long campaign promoting the benefits of travel direct to faith-based communities and individuals, the purpose and goal of the new theme is three-fold: (1) Encourage people to integrate travel with their faith. (2) Assist faith communities in developing travel programs. (3) Promote and increase awareness of the many faith-based vacation opportunities available.
To kickoff the celebrations, WRTA has announced the hosting of five Travel Ministry Conferences across the United States throughout the summer in Nashville, Denver, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Diego. Each half-day event is designed for religious leaders as well as group travel planners and individual travelers to learn and discover how to build (or enrich) a travel program at their respective faith community. This year’s theme and focus follows on the heels of WRTA’s 2009 declaration as The Year of Faith Tourism.
“Of the many wonderful initiatives we’ve put into place here at WRTA, we are especially excited about our travel ministry conferences,” said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. “For several years both the travel trade and faith-based communities have been asking us to host such events. With our new announcement, we’ll be making a lot of people joyful in 2010 and we expect these new conferences to be both very successful, as well as the start of a new era for WRTA’s regional activities.”
The Travel Ministry Conferences also provide an excellent venue for travel providers and tourism organizations to meet and interact with attendees, religious leaders and travelers. Members of the travel trade can attend, exhibit at, or sponsor any or all of the conferences.
For more information about the Travel Ministry Conferences visit www.WRTAreligioustravel.com. For faith-based communities, organizations and individuals interested in attending and participating in the Travel Ministry Conferences, contact WRTA staff at 859.219.3529 or 888.255.WRTA, ext. 101.
For travel trade companies and professionals interested in attending, exhibiting at, or sponsoring the Travel Ministry Conference events, contact Kami Risk.
May 12, 2010
Tourism Cares and IATAN Partner to Benefit Students of Travel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Contact:
Carolyn Viles, Director Grants & Scholarships Bert Rivero, Regional Director
Tourism Cares IATAN
781-821-5990 x208 877-734-2826
Carolynv@tourismcares.org info@iatan.org
Tourism Cares and IATAN Partner to Benefit Students of Travel
Travel industry philanthropy will manage IATAN Ronald A. Santana Scholarship Fund
Canton, Mass. (May 12, 2010)-Tourism Cares, the travel and tourism industry’s premier philanthropy with a mission to preserve the travel experience for the benefit of future generations, has now assumed the responsibility of administering the International Airlines Travel Agent Network’s (IATAN), Ronald A. Santana Foundation Scholarship Fund. IATAN, the travel industry’s premier accreditation program, realized the benefit of having Tourism Cares, which now promotes and administers the scholarship programs of both NTA and ASTA, handle its long established fund.
The IATAN Foundation was established in 1996 in memory of the late Ronald A Santana. Santana was a member of the IATAN Board, a past president of the Association of Retail Agents (ARTA) and a travel agency owner and advisor. The fund was established to recognize his dedication and tireless efforts toward the education of travel agents. The fund has since awarded more than $82,500 in scholarships to IATAN accredited agents and to those wishing to begin their careers in travel and have met the scholarship criteria. The criteria tie in with IATAN’s mission to promote professionalism, administer meaningful and impartial business standards, and provide cost-effective products and services that benefit the travel industry.
“The Ron Santana Memorial Foundation was created to provide scholarships to those who were inspired to join our exciting travel industry,” said Bert Rivero, IATAN’s Regional Director for The Americas. “Many deserving people have benefited from the scholarships in the last 14 years that IATAN and its Board wanted to ensure these scholarships were protected and continue to serve our industry. There was no doubt that Tourism Cares was the right organization to promote and administer the fund to the high standards that IATAN has maintained for so many years. IATAN’s pledge to continue to support the Ron Santana Memorial Foundation has been and will continue to be unwavering.”
“It’s an honor for Tourism Cares to be the official philanthropy of IATAN,” said Bruce Beckham, Tourism Cares’ Executive Director. “The addition of the IATAN Ronald A. Santana Memorial Scholarships, when combined with the academic and professional development scholarships we now administer, will allow Tourism Cares to award more than $100,000 per year to deserving members of the present and future travel industry workforce. That’s very exciting for everyone involved, especially during these challenging economic times.”
In 2010, five $1,000 IATAN Ronald A. Santana Memorial Professional Development Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who are entering or working in the travel, tourism or hospitality industry. These will be used toward reimbursement of the costs of successfully completed travel-and-tourism or hospitality certificate programs at U. S. state-licensed schools. The application deadline is Thursday, July 1, 2010 5 pm EDT. For more information, please visit the Tourism Cares Professional Development Scholarships webpage at
http://www.tourismcares.org/scholarships/professional-development-scholarships.
In addition, beginning in 2011, the Santana Fund will feature academic scholarships. Information about those awards will be available at a later date.
Tourism Cares is a 501c(3) non-profit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic, professional development and service-learning scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, visit www.tourismcares.org.
IATAN Accreditation Programs promote professionalism, administers meaningful and impartial business standards and provides cost-effective products and services that benefit the travel industry. Guided by a diversified board comprised of all sectors of the industry, including travel agencies, home based businesses, large corporations, hotel, cruise lines and airlines, IATAN provides a vital link between the suppliers community and the U.S. travel distribution network. For more information about IATAN, visit www.iatan.org.
Contact: Contact:
Carolyn Viles, Director Grants & Scholarships Bert Rivero, Regional Director
Tourism Cares IATAN
781-821-5990 x208 877-734-2826
Carolynv@tourismcares.org info@iatan.org
Tourism Cares and IATAN Partner to Benefit Students of Travel
Travel industry philanthropy will manage IATAN Ronald A. Santana Scholarship Fund
Canton, Mass. (May 12, 2010)-Tourism Cares, the travel and tourism industry’s premier philanthropy with a mission to preserve the travel experience for the benefit of future generations, has now assumed the responsibility of administering the International Airlines Travel Agent Network’s (IATAN), Ronald A. Santana Foundation Scholarship Fund. IATAN, the travel industry’s premier accreditation program, realized the benefit of having Tourism Cares, which now promotes and administers the scholarship programs of both NTA and ASTA, handle its long established fund.
The IATAN Foundation was established in 1996 in memory of the late Ronald A Santana. Santana was a member of the IATAN Board, a past president of the Association of Retail Agents (ARTA) and a travel agency owner and advisor. The fund was established to recognize his dedication and tireless efforts toward the education of travel agents. The fund has since awarded more than $82,500 in scholarships to IATAN accredited agents and to those wishing to begin their careers in travel and have met the scholarship criteria. The criteria tie in with IATAN’s mission to promote professionalism, administer meaningful and impartial business standards, and provide cost-effective products and services that benefit the travel industry.
“The Ron Santana Memorial Foundation was created to provide scholarships to those who were inspired to join our exciting travel industry,” said Bert Rivero, IATAN’s Regional Director for The Americas. “Many deserving people have benefited from the scholarships in the last 14 years that IATAN and its Board wanted to ensure these scholarships were protected and continue to serve our industry. There was no doubt that Tourism Cares was the right organization to promote and administer the fund to the high standards that IATAN has maintained for so many years. IATAN’s pledge to continue to support the Ron Santana Memorial Foundation has been and will continue to be unwavering.”
“It’s an honor for Tourism Cares to be the official philanthropy of IATAN,” said Bruce Beckham, Tourism Cares’ Executive Director. “The addition of the IATAN Ronald A. Santana Memorial Scholarships, when combined with the academic and professional development scholarships we now administer, will allow Tourism Cares to award more than $100,000 per year to deserving members of the present and future travel industry workforce. That’s very exciting for everyone involved, especially during these challenging economic times.”
In 2010, five $1,000 IATAN Ronald A. Santana Memorial Professional Development Scholarships will be awarded to applicants who are entering or working in the travel, tourism or hospitality industry. These will be used toward reimbursement of the costs of successfully completed travel-and-tourism or hospitality certificate programs at U. S. state-licensed schools. The application deadline is Thursday, July 1, 2010 5 pm EDT. For more information, please visit the Tourism Cares Professional Development Scholarships webpage at
http://www.tourismcares.org/scholarships/professional-development-scholarships.
In addition, beginning in 2011, the Santana Fund will feature academic scholarships. Information about those awards will be available at a later date.
Tourism Cares is a 501c(3) non-profit public charity that benefits society by preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide; by presenting academic, professional development and service-learning scholarships to students of hospitality and tourism; and by organizing volunteer efforts to restore tourism-related sites in need of care and rejuvenation. For additional information about Tourism Cares, visit www.tourismcares.org.
IATAN Accreditation Programs promote professionalism, administers meaningful and impartial business standards and provides cost-effective products and services that benefit the travel industry. Guided by a diversified board comprised of all sectors of the industry, including travel agencies, home based businesses, large corporations, hotel, cruise lines and airlines, IATAN provides a vital link between the suppliers community and the U.S. travel distribution network. For more information about IATAN, visit www.iatan.org.
May 7, 2010
Lifetree Adventures/Member newsletter
www.lifetreeadventures.com
In This Issue -
Experience Ecuador through the eyes of two of our previous travelers. - Learn fun facts about visiting Ecuador!
Stay TunedThe next e-Newsletter will feature Kenya. Click here for more information on our upcoming Kenya trip this September!
Serve in Ecuador!You can make a difference in people's lives! Our next trip to Ecuador is August 7-15, 2010 (click here to learn more).
Custom TripsDo you have a group of people - church friends or your family - who would like to travel and serve together? All our destinations can be customized (dates and itineraries) just for your group. Call 1-800-747-2157 for more information.
Serve in Costa RicaOur Costa Rica group travels July 18-26 and there are only 4 spots left! Call 1-800-747-2157 to sign up. Click here for more info.
Icing on the Cake in Ecuador
By Jody Waldrop
My Lifetree Adventures trip to Ecuador was an experience never to be forgotten. It was a beautiful way of serving the Lord by visiting the homes of the people and providing the missionaries with help as they needed it. In this way, I had to be dependent upon what the Lord would give me to do and not what I could produce in my own efforts. It was a great mix of Ecuadorian history, having fun and being challenged (the zip line!), and serving people. My heart in going on this Lifetree Adventure was to serve the kids and the families and that was incredible for me. The "other items" were icing on the cake! This Lifetree Adventures experience is one of the best ways to "get your foot in the door" to missions. You really can make a difference in a week with those you work with and live the rest of your life differently because of the one week of service.
My First Mission Trip Ever
by Brook Hickle
This trip opened my eyes in many ways to needs that I did not know existed. It is completely different to hear on the news what is going on in our world versus seeing it firsthand. - Brook Hickle
When I stepped off the airplane in Quito, Ecuador on my Lifetree Adventures trip, I felt a rush of emotion. This would be my first mission trip ever! I had heard many stories from friends who had served on mission trips but nothing could have prepared me for the life-changing events that would take place over the next nine days.
As our Lifetree Adventures trip began, 15 strangers from around the U.S. and Canada quickly bonded as the "adventure" portion of our trip unfolded - visiting the Mitad del Mundo (the equator), touring historic Quito, zip-lining through the rainforest, and riding by horseback in the Andes Mountains. I so clearly remember riding on the tour bus and listening to the conversations of the people in my group. These were people who were complete strangers just days before but were quickly experiencing an amazing adventure together and sharing their lives with one another. I felt as if God was preparing us as a team for our service work ahead. Hebrews 10:24 came to mind over and over: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Our service work began on day four of the trip at the daycare in the Quito City Dump. We made food baskets for 14 families who are employed at the dump and then delivered them to their homes and listened to their stories. We also cleaned the daycare and did light repairs on the facility, made and served dinner one evening to all the dump employees, and cared for the children in the daycare while their parents worked at the dump site. I was touched by so many things: the thankfulness of the Ecuadorian people as they received the food baskets (one woman we visited had not eaten in four days), the appreciation for a warm meal shown by the dump workers as we served them dinner, and the little voices, laughter, and hugs we all experienced while working with the wonderful children in the daycare. I will never forget these things!
The Lifetree Adventures trip taken by our group was an inspiration to each of us to become more servant-like in our lives, whether in our own homes, our neighborhoods, or in far-away places. For me personally, it was a realization that we must never underestimate the power of giving. Whether it is showing kindness and love, sharing a smile or laughter, or giving time or money, what we give makes such an impact on those we are serving. Something that feels so small to the "giver" can change the life of another! I have never experienced a trip as fun and meaningful as my trip to Ecuador with Lifetree Adventures!
In This Issue -
Experience Ecuador through the eyes of two of our previous travelers. - Learn fun facts about visiting Ecuador!
Stay TunedThe next e-Newsletter will feature Kenya. Click here for more information on our upcoming Kenya trip this September!
Serve in Ecuador!You can make a difference in people's lives! Our next trip to Ecuador is August 7-15, 2010 (click here to learn more).
Custom TripsDo you have a group of people - church friends or your family - who would like to travel and serve together? All our destinations can be customized (dates and itineraries) just for your group. Call 1-800-747-2157 for more information.
Serve in Costa RicaOur Costa Rica group travels July 18-26 and there are only 4 spots left! Call 1-800-747-2157 to sign up. Click here for more info.
Icing on the Cake in Ecuador
By Jody Waldrop
My Lifetree Adventures trip to Ecuador was an experience never to be forgotten. It was a beautiful way of serving the Lord by visiting the homes of the people and providing the missionaries with help as they needed it. In this way, I had to be dependent upon what the Lord would give me to do and not what I could produce in my own efforts. It was a great mix of Ecuadorian history, having fun and being challenged (the zip line!), and serving people. My heart in going on this Lifetree Adventure was to serve the kids and the families and that was incredible for me. The "other items" were icing on the cake! This Lifetree Adventures experience is one of the best ways to "get your foot in the door" to missions. You really can make a difference in a week with those you work with and live the rest of your life differently because of the one week of service.
My First Mission Trip Ever
by Brook Hickle
This trip opened my eyes in many ways to needs that I did not know existed. It is completely different to hear on the news what is going on in our world versus seeing it firsthand. - Brook Hickle
When I stepped off the airplane in Quito, Ecuador on my Lifetree Adventures trip, I felt a rush of emotion. This would be my first mission trip ever! I had heard many stories from friends who had served on mission trips but nothing could have prepared me for the life-changing events that would take place over the next nine days.
As our Lifetree Adventures trip began, 15 strangers from around the U.S. and Canada quickly bonded as the "adventure" portion of our trip unfolded - visiting the Mitad del Mundo (the equator), touring historic Quito, zip-lining through the rainforest, and riding by horseback in the Andes Mountains. I so clearly remember riding on the tour bus and listening to the conversations of the people in my group. These were people who were complete strangers just days before but were quickly experiencing an amazing adventure together and sharing their lives with one another. I felt as if God was preparing us as a team for our service work ahead. Hebrews 10:24 came to mind over and over: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."
Our service work began on day four of the trip at the daycare in the Quito City Dump. We made food baskets for 14 families who are employed at the dump and then delivered them to their homes and listened to their stories. We also cleaned the daycare and did light repairs on the facility, made and served dinner one evening to all the dump employees, and cared for the children in the daycare while their parents worked at the dump site. I was touched by so many things: the thankfulness of the Ecuadorian people as they received the food baskets (one woman we visited had not eaten in four days), the appreciation for a warm meal shown by the dump workers as we served them dinner, and the little voices, laughter, and hugs we all experienced while working with the wonderful children in the daycare. I will never forget these things!
The Lifetree Adventures trip taken by our group was an inspiration to each of us to become more servant-like in our lives, whether in our own homes, our neighborhoods, or in far-away places. For me personally, it was a realization that we must never underestimate the power of giving. Whether it is showing kindness and love, sharing a smile or laughter, or giving time or money, what we give makes such an impact on those we are serving. Something that feels so small to the "giver" can change the life of another! I have never experienced a trip as fun and meaningful as my trip to Ecuador with Lifetree Adventures!
May 2, 2010
BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN RECLAIMS SPOT ON HOLY LAND PILGRIM MAP
BETHANY BEYOND THE JORDAN RECLAIMS SPOT ON HOLY LAND PILGRIM MAP
Jordan attracts 24% more U.S. visitors to Baptism Site in First Quarter 2010;
Tour Companies Say Numbers Mark Turning Point in Faith-Based Travel to Jordan
McLEAN, Va. (April 27, 2010) – The rustic, eco-protected settlement on the eastern banks of the Jordan River known as “Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan” – where the Bible says Jesus came to be baptized by his cousin John – is fast becoming a must-see destination for faith-based travelers and general tourists alike to the Holy Land. In 2010, 24% more American tourists visited the baptism site during January-March than during the same period last year, and travel suppliers are reporting increased interest and demand for the site from Christian travel planners and consumers.
“We have worked hand in hand with our suppliers to promote this unique location and educate religious travel planners about how to build it into all of their Holy Land travel programs,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America. “Now that the site is fully open and travelers have easy access, it is only natural that this authentic location is once again returning to its place of prominence on the Holy Land map.”
Asfour views faith-based travel as one of the primary niches for Jordan tourism. She has been working since 1997 to promote the destination of Jordan to the North American travel market, and decided early on that Jordan needed a re-branding in the religious sector in order to educate and re-introduce the kingdom’s biblical sites and experiences to prospective travelers. With Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan at number one on the list of must-see biblical locations in Jordan, the rising tide of visitors to the site should lift faith-based travel to other parts of Jordan.
“It’s a case of what was old is new again,” said Christine Moore, founder of Epiphany Media, who has spent a decade representing the Jordan Tourism Board to the religious community in North America. “More Americans are simply returning to the original pilgrim route taken by the early Christians, who would visit the place of baptism between their journeys to Mount Nebo and Jerusalem. Today, faith-based travelers can have the same authentic experience that the original pilgrims had, and also enjoy adventures and experiences at Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and so many other locations in Jordan.”
The authenticity, simplicity and eco-protected nature of the site means it is here to stay on the pilgrim map. And more and more faith-based travel suppliers are recognizing that the practice of taking Christian groups to other locations on the Jordan River does not hold the same meaning for their clients as visiting the special area where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized his cousin.
Nick Mancino, president of Group IST, who operates Regina Tours for the Catholic market and Journeys Unlimited for the Protestant market, said he has experienced increased demand across the board for the Baptism Site. And Rick Ricart, president of Imagine Tours & Travel, whose father promoted Jordan as a religious travel destination as far back as the 1970’s, said he has had one of his busiest seasons ever for travel to Jordan. Ricart said the baptism site is becoming more popular among his clients, as word has spread about its excavations and accessibility.
“I used to feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness myself when trying to promote the baptism site or other holy places in Jordan,” said Ricart. “But we have prepared the way, and now more travel leaders are aware of the opportunities in Jordan, and want to give their groups a chance to experience Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan and other special places, as well as sample some of that famous Jordanian hospitality.”
Additional Information:
Church/Visitor Facilities
An area of 350,000 square miles of land has been set aside for the pilgrim village just outside the baptism site reserve, which has strict environmental protection bylaws.
Many Christian denominations have begun building new churches and facilities/guest houses nearby in a “pilgrim village” to facilitate modern pilgrims to what has been called the “Birthplace of Christianity.” Churches and facilities in existence or in the works include these traditions: Greek Orthodox; Anglican; Baptist; Catholic; Coptic and Russian Orthodox.
In March, 2009, Baptist World Alliance (BWA) officials, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed of Jordan joined officials from around the world to dedicate a new Baptism Center. “I think believers from many parts of the world who want to make a pilgrimage to the area where Jesus was baptized will certainly want to make their own pilgrimage here,” said BWA President David Coffey.
In May, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstones of two new Catholic churches being built with these words: “Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite, will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God.”
Rupert Murdoch’s youngest daughters were baptized at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan in March, 2010, but you don’t have to be famous to hold a ceremony at the baptism site – park officials welcome all church groups and other visitors interested in holding special ceremonies, such as baptisms or communion, and these are easily arranged through tour operators.
Park Oversight and Planning
The Baptism Site is a legally protected National Jordanian Park run by an independent board of trustees – the Baptism Site Commission – appointed personally by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan, who considers its maintenance an honor and a sacred trust for future generations of Jordanians and Christian pilgrims from all over the world. For more information, please visit www.baptismsite.com.
While several hundred thousand people visit the park each year, Baptism Site Commission officials expect to receive more than a million visitors a year once all churches and guest facilities are complete.
The baptism site is close to Amman and the Dead Sea resort and hotel area, which is served by several 4- and 5-star hotels. Planning is underway to build 3-star hotels on the northeastern shores of the Dead Sea.
Biblical Background:
Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan is part of the wilderness area associated with John the Baptist and also contains the traditional spot where the Bible says Elijah the prophet ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.
While Jordan is home to hundreds of biblical locations, some of the most pivotal biblical events occurred at these sites:
Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the land he would never enter and, according to the Bible, is buried nearby in an unknown location;
Mukawir, a mountaintop fortress not far from the Dead Sea where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded;
Tel Mar Elias, the birthplace of the prophet Elijah (also known as Elijah the Tishbite), located among the ancient Hills of Gilead;
Umm Qais, a Roman provincial town overlooking the Sea of Galilee where the miracle of the Gadarene swine took place;
Jabbok River, where Jacob wrested with “the Angel,” and his name was changed to Israel, meaning “He who wrestles with God.”
The Jordan Tourism Board North America is an independent, public-private partnership that works to brand, position and promote Jordan as a tourism destination. For more information, please visit our website at www.visitjordan.com.
Christine M. Moore
Epiphany Media
P.O. Box 1382
Frisco, TX 75034
Tel: 469-688-5683
Google Voice: 830-4INFO-76 (830-446-3676)
Email: christine@epiphanymedianet.com
Twitter: @epiphanymediapr
Jordan attracts 24% more U.S. visitors to Baptism Site in First Quarter 2010;
Tour Companies Say Numbers Mark Turning Point in Faith-Based Travel to Jordan
McLEAN, Va. (April 27, 2010) – The rustic, eco-protected settlement on the eastern banks of the Jordan River known as “Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan” – where the Bible says Jesus came to be baptized by his cousin John – is fast becoming a must-see destination for faith-based travelers and general tourists alike to the Holy Land. In 2010, 24% more American tourists visited the baptism site during January-March than during the same period last year, and travel suppliers are reporting increased interest and demand for the site from Christian travel planners and consumers.
“We have worked hand in hand with our suppliers to promote this unique location and educate religious travel planners about how to build it into all of their Holy Land travel programs,” said Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America. “Now that the site is fully open and travelers have easy access, it is only natural that this authentic location is once again returning to its place of prominence on the Holy Land map.”
Asfour views faith-based travel as one of the primary niches for Jordan tourism. She has been working since 1997 to promote the destination of Jordan to the North American travel market, and decided early on that Jordan needed a re-branding in the religious sector in order to educate and re-introduce the kingdom’s biblical sites and experiences to prospective travelers. With Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan at number one on the list of must-see biblical locations in Jordan, the rising tide of visitors to the site should lift faith-based travel to other parts of Jordan.
“It’s a case of what was old is new again,” said Christine Moore, founder of Epiphany Media, who has spent a decade representing the Jordan Tourism Board to the religious community in North America. “More Americans are simply returning to the original pilgrim route taken by the early Christians, who would visit the place of baptism between their journeys to Mount Nebo and Jerusalem. Today, faith-based travelers can have the same authentic experience that the original pilgrims had, and also enjoy adventures and experiences at Petra, Wadi Rum, the Dead Sea and so many other locations in Jordan.”
The authenticity, simplicity and eco-protected nature of the site means it is here to stay on the pilgrim map. And more and more faith-based travel suppliers are recognizing that the practice of taking Christian groups to other locations on the Jordan River does not hold the same meaning for their clients as visiting the special area where John the Baptist lived, preached and baptized his cousin.
Nick Mancino, president of Group IST, who operates Regina Tours for the Catholic market and Journeys Unlimited for the Protestant market, said he has experienced increased demand across the board for the Baptism Site. And Rick Ricart, president of Imagine Tours & Travel, whose father promoted Jordan as a religious travel destination as far back as the 1970’s, said he has had one of his busiest seasons ever for travel to Jordan. Ricart said the baptism site is becoming more popular among his clients, as word has spread about its excavations and accessibility.
“I used to feel like a voice crying out in the wilderness myself when trying to promote the baptism site or other holy places in Jordan,” said Ricart. “But we have prepared the way, and now more travel leaders are aware of the opportunities in Jordan, and want to give their groups a chance to experience Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan and other special places, as well as sample some of that famous Jordanian hospitality.”
Additional Information:
Church/Visitor Facilities
An area of 350,000 square miles of land has been set aside for the pilgrim village just outside the baptism site reserve, which has strict environmental protection bylaws.
Many Christian denominations have begun building new churches and facilities/guest houses nearby in a “pilgrim village” to facilitate modern pilgrims to what has been called the “Birthplace of Christianity.” Churches and facilities in existence or in the works include these traditions: Greek Orthodox; Anglican; Baptist; Catholic; Coptic and Russian Orthodox.
In March, 2009, Baptist World Alliance (BWA) officials, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Prince Ghazi Bin Mohammed of Jordan joined officials from around the world to dedicate a new Baptism Center. “I think believers from many parts of the world who want to make a pilgrimage to the area where Jesus was baptized will certainly want to make their own pilgrimage here,” said BWA President David Coffey.
In May, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI blessed the cornerstones of two new Catholic churches being built with these words: “Let us rejoice in the knowledge that the two buildings, one Latin, the other Greek Melkite, will serve to build up, each according to the traditions of its own community, the one family of God.”
Rupert Murdoch’s youngest daughters were baptized at Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan in March, 2010, but you don’t have to be famous to hold a ceremony at the baptism site – park officials welcome all church groups and other visitors interested in holding special ceremonies, such as baptisms or communion, and these are easily arranged through tour operators.
Park Oversight and Planning
The Baptism Site is a legally protected National Jordanian Park run by an independent board of trustees – the Baptism Site Commission – appointed personally by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan, who considers its maintenance an honor and a sacred trust for future generations of Jordanians and Christian pilgrims from all over the world. For more information, please visit www.baptismsite.com.
While several hundred thousand people visit the park each year, Baptism Site Commission officials expect to receive more than a million visitors a year once all churches and guest facilities are complete.
The baptism site is close to Amman and the Dead Sea resort and hotel area, which is served by several 4- and 5-star hotels. Planning is underway to build 3-star hotels on the northeastern shores of the Dead Sea.
Biblical Background:
Bethany-beyond-the-Jordan is part of the wilderness area associated with John the Baptist and also contains the traditional spot where the Bible says Elijah the prophet ascended to heaven in a chariot of fire.
While Jordan is home to hundreds of biblical locations, some of the most pivotal biblical events occurred at these sites:
Mount Nebo, where Moses saw the land he would never enter and, according to the Bible, is buried nearby in an unknown location;
Mukawir, a mountaintop fortress not far from the Dead Sea where John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded;
Tel Mar Elias, the birthplace of the prophet Elijah (also known as Elijah the Tishbite), located among the ancient Hills of Gilead;
Umm Qais, a Roman provincial town overlooking the Sea of Galilee where the miracle of the Gadarene swine took place;
Jabbok River, where Jacob wrested with “the Angel,” and his name was changed to Israel, meaning “He who wrestles with God.”
The Jordan Tourism Board North America is an independent, public-private partnership that works to brand, position and promote Jordan as a tourism destination. For more information, please visit our website at www.visitjordan.com.
Christine M. Moore
Epiphany Media
P.O. Box 1382
Frisco, TX 75034
Tel: 469-688-5683
Google Voice: 830-4INFO-76 (830-446-3676)
Email: christine@epiphanymedianet.com
Twitter: @epiphanymediapr
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