Globus' Faith in Religious Travel Grows

06/24/2008

Industry Leader Unveils New Vacations & Destinations for 2009, Including a Return to the Holy Land

Website: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/religious-travel/globus-announces-new-religious-travel-vacations-2009

LITTLETON, Colorado – June 24, 2008 – According to Globus’ Religious Travel Study (conducted by Menlo Consulting Group), 4.5 million people have traveled internationally on a religious or faith-based vacation. That number is expected to increase exponentially in the next five years: The same study revealed that by 2012, an additional 9.7 million will have traveled internationally on religious journeys. As one of the first and only large tour operators to embrace faith-based travel, creating a religious travel division in 2004, Globus continues to cater to this growing trend, unveiling both new vacations and destinations in 2009, including a highly anticipated return to Israel.

“Our study revealed that 54 percent of people interested in religious travel consider Israel to be the most desirable vacation destination, while 41 percent believe Italy is,” said Mike Schields, director of group sales and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands. “In 2009, we’re giving travelers new opportunities to experience their faiths first-hand in these coveted destinations with Journey through the Holy Land and Vatican, Assisi & Southern Italy – with extension to Medjugorje (Mostar), a famous town where the Virgin Mary has historically appeared.”

In addition, having witnessed three consecutive years of increased bookings on its religious vacations, Globus’ most popular faith-based packages include: Footsteps of Apostle Paul, Marian Shrines of Europe, Grand Catholic Italy and Lourdes & Shrines of France.

“Nearly 75 percent of people interested in religious vacations want to delve deeper into their faiths with others who share their passions and interests by traveling as part of an escorted tour group,” said Schields. “Most are also looking for vacations ranging from five to 14 days, filled with a balance of both religious and non-religious exploration, such as shopping and entertainment, as well as first-class service and amenities. With more than 80 years of experience in perfecting vacations, we’re giving this burgeoning group of travelers exactly what they want.”


2009 Religious Vacation Highlights Include:
NEW Journey Through the Holy Land
During an amazing 10-days abroad, travelers will experience places of biblical significance while indulging in the rich culture and history of the Holy Land. They’ll visit Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus and other places where Apostle Paul traveled. They’ll also stand atop Mount Nebo, enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee, ride a cable car in Masada, visit the site of David’s victory over Goliath in the Valley of Elah, all the while, taking part in a historical overview of early Christianity. Priced from $2,099, land-only.

NEW The Vatican, Assisi & Southern Italy (plus Medjugorje Extension)
On this eight-day vacation, travelers will arrive in Rome to attend a weekly general audience with the Pope as well as enjoy visits to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square, the Catacombs, St. Mary Major Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica and the Holy Stairs – a landmark brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 A.D. – among other major landmarks. From Rome, travelers will enjoy experiences in Assisi, Pompeii and Sorrento. And, those wanting to extend their journey abroad can enjoy three more days with a Medjugorje (Mostar) extension. Priced from $2,049, land-only (from $3,599 with Medjugorje extension).

Jordan & Egypt in the Bible
This 10-day vacation starts in the Dead Sea where travelers will enjoy excursions to Amman, Jerash, Um Quais and John the Baptist’s Baptismal Archeological Park in Bethany. Then, they’ll continue their journey to Mt. Sinai where Moses received the Ten Commandments and continue via Wadi Mujib and the Crusaders Castle of Kerak to Petra. In Lawrence of Arabia’s Wadi Rum, travelers will enjoy a Jeep tour before flying from Amman to Cairo to meet an Egyptologist for a spectacular day of sightseeing including Giza’s Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. Priced from $2,169, land-only (includes intra-tour flight).

Footsteps of Apostle Paul
Globus’ most popular religious vacation, this 10-day tour begins in Athens with visits to the Acropolis and Areopagus, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of “the Unknown God.” Travelers will continue to Corinth on to Piraeus where they’ll board a three-day Greece and Turkey cruise that includes visits to the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and charming Lindos. Then they will enjoy more sightseeing in Thessalonika and an excursion along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis, ancient Philippi and Kavala. Travelers will continue to Veria and visit the Bema of Paul, among other cultural sites. Priced from $2,079, land-only.

Lourdes & Shrines of France
On this 10-day vacation, travelers begin in Paris seeing major sites including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal and St. Vincent de Paul Shrines. From Paris, travelers will board the high-speed “TGV” train to Lourdes – one of the world’s most famous places of pilgrimage. There, they’ll visit the Grotto where Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and St. Bernadette’s birthplace. Travelers may also choose to bathe in the healing waters and attend the “Blessing of the Sick.” They can admire medieval Carcassonne on their way to Avignon with stops in La Salette to visit the church and the Apparition Site. In Ars-sur-Formans, travelers will visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home and church. Other sightseeing includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and St. Gildard. Priced from $2,599, land-only.


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ABOUT GLOBUS
With 80 years of international travel expertise, Globus is the world’s leading tour operator. Globus has teams of people on the ground in more than 65 countries around the world, and is an expert in providing travelers a holiday from the everyday by helping them truly experience each destination. We bring to life cultures and histories through storytelling and in-depth journeys in the heart of each city, region or country. Honored with countless industry awards, including Travel Weekly’s Reader’s Choice Awards three years running and Recommend magazine’s Best Tour Operator to Europe for nine consecutive years, Globus also unites travelers with similar interests through niche tours, including family vacations, food and wine-themed getaways, music-oriented journeys, faith-based travel and holiday excursions.