Faith-Based Travel Industry Attracts More Tourism Boards
With 300 to 330 million religious travelers worldwide each year, tourist boards and government officials at the highest levels are launching new initiatives to attract a segment of this $18 billion industry, the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) reports. Countries such as the Bahamas, Cyprus, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey and India among others have embarked on new marketing ventures to the faith community, particularly focusing on the North American market, which accounts for more than $10 billion of the global religious travel industry.
Littleton, CO (PRWEB) June 29, 2007
With 300 to 330 million religious travelers worldwide each year, tourist boards and government officials at the highest levels are launching new initiatives to attract a segment of this $18 billion industry, the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) reports. Countries such as the Bahamas, Cyprus, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, Jamaica, Jordan, Turkey and India among others have embarked on new marketing ventures to the faith community, particularly focusing on the North American market, which accounts for more than $10 billion of the global religious travel industry.
One of the most significant developments among religious travelers is the increase of leisure, retreat or "fellowship" vacations by churches and religious groups. The Islands of the Bahamas remains a top choice for these travelers, and is one of the few countries with a dedicated religious travel department and director. The religious/faith department of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism recently joined WRTA as a charter member. On June 5, WRTA officers met with the Honorable Neko Grant, newly-appointed Minister of Tourism and Aviation, and Linville Johnson, Deputy Director of the Religious Market for the Bahamas Tourist Office, to discuss the country's efforts toward developing religious tourism.
"The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism Religious/Faith department is pleased to be a charter member of the World Religious Travel Association," said Grant. "In this new partnership we look forward to WRTA assisting us in delivering our message to our key audience, and it is our hope that through our association with this organization that the number of religious/faith meetings, conferences, conventions and retreats to The Islands Of The Bahamas will increase substantially."
"We are delighted the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism has joined us as a Charter Member, and it is a privilege to provide them a framework to help increase awareness of their destination among faith-based travelers," said Kevin J. Wright, founder and Executive Director of WRTA and a fifteen-year veteran of the travel industry. "The travel and tourism industry is responding to the clout of this built-in affinity group of 330 million vacationers, and tourism boards are wisely taking a long-term view to establish and develop their brand within this very lucrative tourism segment."
Switzerland Tourism is a prime example. According to Mirko Capodanno, Trade Manager of Central USA and Canada for Switzerland Tourism: "Switzerland has many religious and historically very important sites to offer and to visit. Not only in regards to the Reformation and its leaders such as Calvin or Zwingli, but also because in Switzerland lies the origin of many churches and religious fellowships which are spread throughout the U. S. today, such as Baptist, Mennonite and Amish. Besides this, there is a tremendous amount of very ancient historic sites, abbeys, museums and churches. Our goal is to approach religious group leaders all over North America in cooperation with some tour operators, and show them many aspects of our country which travelers who are interested in religious trips may not realize, and show them how to combine these best with popular tourist attractions in Switzerland such as the highest rail station in Europe, the Glacier Express Railway or the Matterhorn."
With the substantial growth in faith-based tourism comes the demand for an international convention. This summer the World Religious Travel Association will announce details and begin registrations for the Fall 2008 World Religious Travel Expo. The primary purpose of the conference is to provide a world-class forum for networking opportunities and educational seminars for both the trade and consumer.
All companies and individuals can take advantage of membership within the World Religious Travel Association, the leading network for the faith-based tourism industry. To learn more, visit www. religioustravelassociation. com or call 1-800-657-1288. Both free and paid memberships are available, including the complimentary monthly e-newsletter Religious Travel Buzz, which keeps companies, groups, and individuals abreast of the faith-based travel industry news, events, and announcements.
About the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA):
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) is the world's leading network for the faith-based tourism industry. WRTA exists to bring the worldwide trade and North American religious consumer together for the primary purpose of promoting and providing quality travel experiences around the globe. All seven segments of the $18 billion worldwide religious tourism industry are represented: (1) Tour operators, tourist boards, cruise lines, and travel wholesalers (2) Travel suppliers and vendors (3) Travel agencies and consortiums (4) Religious suppliers and vendors (5) Churches and religious/non-profit organizations (6) Individuals and clergy (7) Media. The World Religious Travel Association will host the 1st Annual World Religious Travel Expo in Fall 2008. To learn more about the Association or become a member, visit www. religioustravelassociation. com. Or, contact WRTA at 1-800-657-1288.
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