NACTA Predicts Continued Growth Despite Downturn

Read full story at Travel Agent Central: http://www.travelagentcentral.com/home-based/consortia/nacta-predicts-continued-growth-despite-downturn-17144

Another initiative is NACTA’s outreach to the industry. in June NACTA had a joint program with the National Tour Association (NTA) to help build agents awareness of he importance of tour sales. This includes the first of NACTA’s "destinationals." Koepf was to develop a strong destination familiarization capability that will expose NACTA agents to popular and off beat U.S. destinations to spark sales. Currently, 22 percent of NACTA travel agents sell tours, and about 370 NTA tour operators offers agents commissionable packages.

Koepf will also be a keynote speaker for the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) Travel Expo 2009. The Travel Expo & Educational Conference will be held November 14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, NV.

The Expo includes co-locating with the NTA’s convention thus offering members of both associations unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and access to new market opportunities.

“We are going to make it easier and affordable for suppliers to reach out and communicate with independent agents," said Koepf. "At the same time, we are going to provide our members with access to quality supplier programs.”

Koepf believes that NACTA is positioned to help many agents regardless of business models. This includes independent contractors, outside sales agents, cruise- and tour-oriented agents, group- oriented travel professionals and traditional ARC-appointed travel agencies that provide services and support to such professionals. NACTA itself was established in 1986 and is an affiliate of ASTA.

NACTA’s program runs the gamut of services from a new membership kit and lapel pin to access to NACTA’s Seminars at Sea, Land Fams, Destinationals, host and supplier webinars, the popular NACTA AgentDigest, special pricing and discounts including travel insurance from Travel Insured and access to CLIA and ASTA programs. NACTA annual dues are $95 (plus $50 for first year activation).

A gifted speaker and mentor to agents, Koepf’s goal is to make NACTA members the beneficiaries of the finest learning experiences available and to be a true support group that helps agents build their businesses and professional skills.

NACTA is for travel agents serious about their careers and who can see beyond the current economic downturn to long-term professional growth opportunities, Koepf believes. “NACTA membership rewards agents who make a true commitment of time and talent, a commitment to sharing ideas and experience and a commitment to professional growth,” he said.

Grand Bahama Island & Religious Tourism Six Goals

Read full story at http://www.bahamaislandsinfo.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3637:gb-port-authority-president-addresses-national-empowerment-seminar&catid=33:News%20&%20Info%20about%20Grand%20Bahama&Itemid=146

The nation benefits immeasurably when Godly people gather to pray and discuss issues central to transforming the human condition. In addition, the economic benefits are potentially huge if we are minded to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors motivated by our many events and our spiritual heritage. Religious Tourism I’m told is an 18 billion dollar industry.

The Bahamas religious history, geographical location and strong spiritual foundation make us ideal for setting up multi-purpose facilities, to accommodate:

1. Small or Mega Christian conferences
2. Mega gospel concerts
3. Christian camps or retreat facilities
4. Christian cruises throughout the islands, originating in Freeport
5. Christian tours exploring Bahamian churches, religious rituals, Bahamian burials and a multi-media history of religion in the Bahamas .
6. A full Christian village that reflects Christian motifs, art, family friendly facilities and events

Rolle highlights potential of religious tourism in Grand Bahamas

Article link:
http://freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/299644510080916.php

Some suggestions on how Grand Bahama can use its religious background to try to attract more visitors to its shores were presented by the President of the Grand Bah-ama Port Authority (GBPA) Ian Rolle on Tuesday.

Rolle was one of the speakers at Tuesday's National Empowerment Summit wh-ich was hosted by the Bah-amas Christian Council.

Pointing out that religious tourism is an $18 billion industry, the GBPA president said the economic benefits are potentially huge if the island is able to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors motivated by its many religious events and its spiritual heritage.

The Bahamas' religious history, geographical location and strong spiritual foundation make it ideal for setting up multi-purpose facilities to accommodate small or mega Christian conferences and gospel concerts, Christian camps or retreat facilities and Christian cruises throughout the islands, originating in Freeport, Rolle said.

Christian tours exploring Bahamian churches, religious rituals, Bahamian burials and a multi-media history of religion in the Bahamas and even a full Christian village that reflects Christian motifs, art, family friendly facilities and events can also be developed, he added.

Noting that the revitalization of Grand Bahama will require a collaborative effort, Rolle said the GBPA is happy to partner with the Christian Council.

"We are all in this together and with God's help we will emerge stronger as a community," he said.

The GBPA is also working with The Ministry of Tourism and The Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board on several levels, he furthered, to refine, package and market the tourism product in Grand Bahama.

"Tremendous focus has been placed on making travel to our shores and the enjoyment of the product more affordable to our potential guests from around the world."

The GBPA also has as one of its goals to increase Bahamian ownership within the economy and is committed to putting the people of Grand Bahama in a position where they are the main agent determining their own success and destiny, he said.

It is understood that in order for empowerment to take place, he added, citizens must have access to information about opportunities, cha-llenges, where to go for help and what procedures they must follow to achieve their goals.

"Our people must have access to decision making bodies to weigh in on the governance of their institutions and communities. Ultimately they must have access to resources to realize their aspirations," he said.

"Daily we are working to ensure that these conditions continually improve for the families and businesses we serve. After all, it is largely the ingenuity and hard work of ordinary men and women that will stimulate and sustain industry in Grand Bahama once again."

Although these may be challenging times for Grand Bahamians, Rolle said he is confident that they can weather the storm.

He pointed out that Grand Bahama has a special mix of natural and man made features, complimented by a tax regime and skilled workforce that gives it a unique advantage in the Americas.

"Freeport, in particular, is carefully planned and its sheer size permits a mix of business enterprises to coexist," he said.

"The Grand Bahama we envision in the future will serve as a model internationally of how to construct a society that balances a high quality of life for families with an environment that is bustling with modern businesses."

As the island continues to face stiff competition in tourism, financial services, industry, technology and real estate development, residents must now, more than ever, keep abreast of global business trends, constantly upgrade their skills, and be prepared to out-think and out-work the competition.

"More than ever we need to form and join partnerships that will help us achieve some outcomes that as individuals or as organizations we have no chance of achieving alone," he said.

"Despite the challenges that we face, and those that may appear on the horizon, I'm confident that careful preparation, prudent management of resources and ability to adjust and adapt will put us all in good stead for the future."

Homeric Tours releases new Faith Tours brochure

Press Release from Homeric Tours:

With the introduction of our new Faith Tours brochure evidencing our commitment to the religious audience, 2009 is indeed an exciting year for Homeric Tours. With over 40 years of experience serving the greater travel community, specializing in the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Europe, it was time for Homeric Tours to distinguish its approach into this specialized area of the industry. This new brochure is a collaboration of our own research as well as the many requests that we have received over the years from our loyal group leaders. We are confident that our brochure will be well received by our existing clients as well as the marketplace as a whole.

Our new Faith Tours brochure has over 30 distinct itineraries that will help individuals achieve a better understanding of their faith, by visiting those sites significant to the beginnings of Christianity. The brochure is designed for coordinated group travel with an established group leader. However, we welcome the opportunity to work with active members of Churches, religious organizations and academic institutions looking to establish a trip within their organization. The general theme of the brochure is to promote an increase in faith oriented travel, not just enter into an existing market. We firmly believe that the Faith Based travel market is far from mature.

We feel that our brochure is unique in that it provides a broad spectrum of itineraries to choose from. In addition, not only can the itineraries be modified to suit the specific needs of your group, we can build an entire customized itinerary. Our experience as a provider of customized travel for so many years sets us apart from many of the existing participants in this industry.

We are very excited about our commitment to this niche industry and welcome the opportunity to assist members of the WRTA audience with. We invite you to visit our website where you can find additional information on our brochure, PDF versions of the brochure itself, a brochure and quote request kiosks and contact information to speak with one of our specialists. Our dedicated Faith Tours website is: http://faith.homerictours.com/ and our toll-free number is 800-223-5570. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

John A. Klados
VP Marketing & Sales

Africa Travel Association (ATA) Renews Partnership with WRTA

NEW YORK, New York, August 24, 2009 – The Africa Travel Association (ATA) and the World
Religious Travel Association (WRTA) announced today the continuation of their partnership
agreement, aiming to support both organizations’ endeavors in the promotion of religious travel
trade.

“The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is excited to work with the World Religious Travel
Association (WRTA) to promote faith-based tourism to Africa,” said ATA Executive Director,
Edward Bergman. “Religious tourism is certainly a growing niche market for travelers to the
African continent and the partnership with WRTA will help us educate our membership on faithbased tourism opportunities.”

According to WRTA, religious travel and hospitality opportunities can be found across Africa in
four main ways: visiting a religious destination; attending a religious gathering; traveling for
missionary or humanitarian purposes; or leisure traveling with fellowship intent.

“Faith-based tourism attracts 300 million travelers worldwide, who spend $18 billion annually,”
said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA President. “We look forward to once again working with ATA,
especially as Africa has long served as a top destination for people of faith. In fact, among the
wide variety of travel experiences the continent offers, faith-based African safaris are quickly
becoming one of the most popular new trends in religious travel today.”

Under the new partnership agreement, ATA and its members will participate in the WRTA World Religious Travel Expo and Educational Conference to be held from November 14-16, 2009 in Reno, Nevada. WRTA will participate in ATA events in the United States and Africa, including ATA’s 35th Annual Congress to be held in The Gambia in May 2010.
About the Africa Travel Association (ATA).

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) was established as an international travel industry trade
association in 1975. ATA’s mission is to promote travel, tourism and transport to and within
Africa, and to strengthen intra-Africa partnerships. As the world’s premier travel industry trade association, ATA provides services to a broad range of members including: tourism, diaspora,
culture, and sports ministers, tourism boards, airlines, hoteliers, travel agents, tour operators,
travel trade media, public relations firms, consulting companies, non-profit organizations,
businesses, small and medium-sized enterprises, and other organizations engaged in tourism
promotion. For more information, visit www.africatravelassociaton.org or call +1.212.447.1357.

Pastors Representing 10 Nations Experience Faith and Fellowship in the Bahamas

RELIGIOUS MARKET GLOBAL OUTREACH – The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation’s Religious Market, recently took advantage of an opportunity to pitch the country’s outstanding conference and meetings facilities to a group of Pastors visiting Nassau from the United States, Cuba and even places as far flung as China, Africa, Italy and Great Britain.

The group of spiritual leaders were in attendance at a "Kingdom Leadership Conference" being held at the Diplomat Center, Carmichael Road, under the direction of renowned Bahamian spiritual leader, Pastor Miles Munroe, President and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, Nassau, Bahamas. The group of pastors representing 10 nations, were a part of a delegation of about 185 persons in attendance at the Conference.

During their visit to The Bahamas, the church leaders were given a tour of some of the Island's finest hotels and resorts, and then feted to a reception at their host hotel, The Wyndham Nassau Resort, Cable Beach. Pictured above, front center, Mr. Linville Johnson, MOT Director of Religious Market, and Dr. Myles Munroe are flanked by the Pastors.The Religious market is an $18 Billion Global Market, and the Bahamas, boasting the largest assortment of vacation spots of any tropical destination in the world, is poised to take advantage of a larger share of this growing market. No longer simply a fun vacation, the Bahamas can also offer its visitors faith and fellowship."The Bahamas...where God lives."

Linville Johnson, is available to answer questions on group needs for religious conferences, conventions, retreats etc., at ljohnson@bahamas.com. For more information on the Islands of The Bahamas, visit www.bahamas.com, or you can reach us at 1-800 Bahamas.

Leisure Group Travel Magazine Targeted Religious Market Coverage

Leisure Group Travel Magazine Targeted Religious Market Coverage
August 13, 2009
http://insite.religioustraveldirectory.com/featured-on-insite/leisure-group-travel-magazine-targeted-religious-market-coverage/

Leisure Group Travel’s August 2009 edition explores the world of religious tourism. This 100-page digital page flip e-magazine includes feature articles on group travel to Israel and a special on-site report from Cyprus by senior editor John Kloster. We also include an extensive section on Oberammergau Passion Play group tour packages for 2010 with sample itineraries from leading tour brands. Plus, check out the sneak preview of the World Religious Travel Expo coming up in November, 2009 along with news and updates from faith-based attractions and destinations.

Switzerland Tourism - Religious Tourism

Read the full story at http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/search/Result.html?siteSect=882&ty=st&sid=11036746

Switzerland Tourism has been courting US religious groups – many of whom organise group trips for their congregations – to entice them to explore Switzerland's religious history.
"It's an interesting market and it's growing," Herrmann said. "These groups don't just want to see religious sites, but it's the hook that brings them to our country."

The tourism office is marketing everything from the eighth century St Gallen abbey - a Unesco World Cultural Heritage Site – to the International Museum of Reformation in Geneva.
On its website, Switzerland Tourism highlights scores of historical religious sites in five Swiss regions and offers information on lodging in abbeys, cloisters and monasteries.

But religious tourists can also be easily put off: after a story in the New York Times about a growing number of nude hikers wandering the Alps, near Appenzell, a number of American groups cancelled their trips to Switzerland, according to Herrmann.

Globus Reaffirms Commitment to Religious Travel Market

Read full story at http://www.travelpulse.com/Resources/Editorial.aspx?n=57991

Globus in 2010 will mark the sixth anniversary of its religious tour division with the release of a dozen itineraries focused on the lands of the Bible, with products designed for both Protestant and Catholic denominations. Globus claims to be the largest tour operator to offer faith-based travel, says it is expecting the niche to continue to grow. 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 three years. The same study revealed that by 2012, an additional 9.7 million will have traveled internationally on religious journeys.

Mission Travel Group in partnership with Living Hope Ministries and ACTS has a Christian volunteer placement program based in Cape Town.

Living Hope is in desperate need of self-funded volunteers to come & live in Cape Town for a period of time (30 days to 2 years).

Cape Town has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It has both the best and the worst of the world – spectacular coastline and mountains surround the city, restaurants and shopping, five-star hotels. Cape Town also suffers from a ‘split personality’ with all of the qualities of a first world, first class city but alongside it sits a third world community – the African and ‘Coloured’ communities that live in poverty stricken apartheid-constructed townships where HIV/AIDS and drug addiction runs rampant.

Mission Travel in partnership with Living Hope Ministries and ACTS (African Christian Tours & Safaris) has a volunteer placement program based in Cape Town.

Living Hope is in desperate need of self-funded volunteers, particularly with skills in the following areas, to come & live in Cape Town for a period of time (30 days to 2 years).

The skills they need include:
· Maintenance workers, anything from gardeners to specialist trades(electrician, plumber, carpenter, painter, brick layer/mason)
Event Planner, prefer 90 day stay
Volunteer Coordinator minimum 2-year commitment
Sports Coordinator, minimum 1 year
Coordinator for parenting support groups, minimum 1 year
Curriculum coordinator, min 1 year, from May 2010
Photographer, 30 days minimum
Admin, secretary, executive assistant,
Accountant, 30 days or more
Children’s workers – to help with running after school kids clubs in the townships

If you have never been on a mission before, Cape Town is a great introduction. It allows you to impact the third world whilst being able to retreat at the end of the day back into the first world.
It is often useful when volunteering for an extended period of time to be able to have home comforts such as a safe & secure place to live, running water, internet access.

Volunteer placements start at US$1595 for a 30 day placement – this includes your
accommodation, transport, most meals and a donation to the Living Hope project. Mission Travel has special airfares for volunteers to get you to Africa at the best possible price.

If you would like further information or an application form, please email us at info@missiontravel.com.au and title the email Cape Town Calling.
Great New Fares to Africa

Travelling to Africa this year? We have hot new specials with Kenya Airways but hurry you must book and pay by 21 August 2009.FROM: ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, CAIRNS, MELBOURNE, PERTH and SYDNEY

Website and contact information: http://www.missiontravelgroup.com.au/contact.html