Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007 - (Page 64)

Tours FOR THE AGENT BOOK A RELIGIOUS/SPIRITUAL TOUR FOR YOUR CLIENTS Jerusalem, Vatican City, Oberammergau, Greece and India are all popular destinations within this growing segment ly departures on “Israel—Old & New.” The 12-day, 10-night trip affords stays in super-deluxe hotels that feature spas and spectacular views. Five days are spent in Jerusalem, visiting the Israeli parliament, the Yad Vashem, Israeli’s memorial to the holocaust and Mount Zion, the traditional site of King David’s tomb. The trip also stops in Tiberias and Tel Aviv, with the option of extending the trip by three days in Eilat, near Petra. Departure dates run monthly through the end of the year as well as into 2008. Land only, double occupancy per person prices for 2007 vary depending on departure date. Clients India’s Golden Temple, a stop on a Sacred Earth Journeys itinerary can choose to upgrade to the King David Plan, which provides a view of the Old City from their hotel room. The Travel Industry Association reports that one-fourth of adult travelers in the U.S. went to a church, temple, mosque or other place of worship while on vacation in the past year. You can see that religious travel is an easily sellable market because it’s the type of trip that appeals across the spectrum of individuals, families and groups. Earlier this year, the industry saw the launch of the World Religious Travel Association (www.religious travelassociation.com), as well as a religious market consulting group, Kevin J. Wright & Associates (www.reli giousmarketconsulting.com), which reports that the religious market is loyal, groups-driven and comprised of all demographics, including retirees, baby boomers, families and singles. Book a Tour of the Holy Land One of the foremost destinations for religious travelers is Israel’s Jerusalem. Expect to see lots of client interest in Israel in general, as the Israel Ministry of Tourism (www.goisrael.com) recently launched an aggressive advertising campaign. The hope is that the campaign—valued at $11 million—will double the number of visitors to the country by 2010. Lots of tour companies offer tours there that focus on providing a spiritual vacation. One tour operator that has its roots in such an experience is IsramWorld (www.isram.com), which runs its trip with AJCongress International Vacations for Jewish Travelers (www.ajctravel.com). In 2007, the two companies offer month- The lowest-priced excursions are priced at around $2,600. Contact Raffaella De Luca, Isram’s manager of inside sales development (888-627-0427, rdeluca@isram.com). Isram pays 10 percent commission. If you have a group of clients, or are looking to put your own group together to experience Vatican City, consider Escorted Group Tours’ (www.escortedgrouptours.com) 12-day “Classic Shrines of Italy.” At the client’s request, the trip can include roundtrip airfare from New York to Italy in addition to 10 nights staying at three- and four-star hotels across the country. On clients’ first full day in Italy, they wake up in the Eternal City and attend the weekly Papal audience, or blessing, Continued on page 66 64 Home-BasedTravelAgent SEPTEMBER 2007 http://www.goisrael.com http://www.escortedgrouptours.com http://www.religioustravelassociation.com http://www.religioustravelassociation.com http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com http://www.religiousmarketconsulting.com http://www.isram.com http://www.ajctravel.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007

Contents Editor's Note - Last-Minute Travel Publisher's Note - Communication is Key Your Lifeline Agent Spotlight Your Technology Industry News Hot Deals Home-Based Networking Preventing Legal Woes Destinations: Turkey Cover Story: Walking Ireland Destinations: Caribbean Destinations: Boston Cruises: Forecast Hotels Tours New Products

Home-Based Travel Agent - September 2007

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