on location: international ❖ kevin j. wright IN RECENT YEARS THE religious tourism and hospitality marketplace has evolved from a rather obscure niche market into an attention-grab- bing, $18-billion global industry. In- deed, faith-based travel today is in the midst of a remarkable growth spurt. International travel by Americans for religious purposes has doubled over the past five years and according to a recent study by Menlo Consulting, this trend is expected to continue for an- other five years. Destinations such as Israel, Jordan and Palestine enjoyed some of their best tourism years ever in 2008. European pilgrimage sites such as Lourdes (France) witnessed a record-breaking number of visitors. Many destinations, attractions and events in North America also experi- enced a year of growth in faith-based tourism. What can we expect in 2009 for the religious travel and hospitality market- place? Consider the top 10 trends: More tour operators will debut reli- gious travel programs. In the past five years, formal religious travel programs have been introduced by large tour op- erators like Trafalgar Tours, Mayflower Tours (Faithful Holidays) and the Globus family of brands. The National Tour Association (NTA) has seen its member tour operators in- crease their religious programs; 35 per- cent of them now offer religious tour product. More operators will roll out (and/or expand) religious travel pro- grams in 2009. More travel agencies will become involved in selling to religious groups and travelers. The increase in tour op- erators offering religious programs (see previous trend) will result in a greater number of travel agents entering the faith tourism marketplace because there is more product available to sell. Cruise lines will devote more efforts 18 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com Travelers contribute manpower on missionary trips. Top 10 Religious Travel Trends Top 10 Religious Travel Trends The president of the World Religious Travel Association looks at 2009, proclaimed the Year of Faith Tourism
The president of the World Religious Travel Association tells what’s hot in faith tourism. He foresees cruise lines, tourist offices and attractions stepping up efforts to attract religious groups. More tour operators will roll out religious programs, and more religious operators will expand their product offerings into leisure travel. Also up: missionary/volunteer travel and bookings at monasteries and retreat guesthouses.
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Transcript
on location: international � kevin j. wright
IN RECENT YEARS THE religious
tourism and hospitality marketplace
has evolved from a rather obscure
niche market into an attention-grab-
bing, $18-billion global industry. In-
deed, faith-based travel today is in the
midst of a remarkable growth spurt.
International travel by Americans
for religious purposes has doubled over
the past five years and according to a
recent study by Menlo Consulting, this
trend is expected to continue for an-
other five years. Destinations such as
Israel, Jordan and Palestine enjoyed
some of their best tourism years ever in
2008. European pilgrimage sites such
as Lourdes (France) witnessed a
record-breaking number of visitors.
Many destinations, attractions and
events in North America also experi-
enced a year of growth in faith-based
tourism.
What can we expect in 2009 for the
religious travel and hospitality market-
place? Consider the top 10 trends:
More tour operators will debut reli-
gious travel programs. In the past five
years, formal religious travel programs
have been introduced by large tour op-
erators like Trafalgar Tours,
Mayflower Tours (Faithful Holidays)
and the Globus family of brands. The
National Tour Association (NTA) has
seen its member tour operators in-
crease their religious programs; 35 per-
cent of them now offer religious tour
product. More operators will roll out
(and/or expand) religious travel pro-
grams in 2009.
More travel agencies will become
involved in selling to religious groups
and travelers. The increase in tour op-
erators offering religious programs (see
previous trend) will result in a greater
number of travel agents entering the
faith tourism marketplace because
there is more product available to sell.
Cruise lines will devote more efforts
18 February 2009 LeisureGroupTravel.com
Travelers contribute manpoweron missionary trips.
Top 10 ReligiousTravel TrendsTop 10 ReligiousTravel Trends
The president of the World ReligiousTravel Association looks at 2009,proclaimed the Year of Faith Tourism
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