Have faith: Religious travel marches on
In the US alone, outbound travel for religious or pilgrimage purposes increased more than a third last year from 575,000 travelers to 905,000 according to the US Office of Travel and Tourism Industries.
Faith-based groups and organizations are also traveling more than ever before in North America, as cruise group departures are being used as fund-raisers and ?congregation building? events by religious groups, churches, synagogues, and organizations,? says the World Religious Travel Expo (WRTA)
WRTA will host the World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference 2008 at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel and Convention Center from October 29 ? November 1.
The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference.
The combined event will provide the first world-class forum for travel suppliers, destinations, wholesalers, agencies and church travel planners to come face-to-face, develop partnerships, find new products and services, generate new qualified leads and build long-term relationships,? the group says.
The World Religious Travel Expo is a remarkable opportunity for agents and suppliers to ?step out of their box? of traditional sales focus and learn innovative ways to expand their existing client base,? said John Severini, a partner of KDS Solutions, which is working with WRTA.
The Expo will be a watershed opportunity for WRTA to connect and educate companies in the New Era of the $18 billion religious travel industry. John Severini’s extensive involvement with agency groups and organizations will further spread the word and opportunity that exists for agents to earn quick, easy and new sales commissions by selling faith-based vacations,? said Kevin Jr. Wright, WRTA president.
Among WRTA?s newly confirmed Expo partners is CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, which will be conducting an extensive workshop program.
Report by David Wilkening
Chitra Mogul
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