Recommend July 2018 - 8

Tips on Selling
Faith-Based
Travel

Traveltalk

Agents booking through TravelBound can recommend faith-based clients visit the Barcelona Cathedral.
Michelle Marie Arean

If you're wondering which client from your
database might be interested in booking
faith-based trips, we have some guidelines
and suggestions for you from industry execs.
Melissa da Silva, president of Trafalgar,
says these itineraries are ideal for "travelers
that want more out of their trips on a
spiritual level. Many with religious beliefs
that may want to reaffirm their faith and
journey through sacred lands, as well as
travelers who have a deep interest in history,
as these trips are rooted in visiting historic
and culturally sacred sites."
Guests on faith-based trips are looking
for more than just sightseeing. "Many of our
travelers," adds Da Silva, "are looking to
reaffirm their faith and discover the lands
where their religion was established, follow
the footsteps of their religion and bring
themselves closer to God. These travelers
are seeking to enrich their mind, body and
soul through travel that brings deep personal
meaning to their lives."
According to Vanessa Parrish, channel
marketing manager for Globus family of
brands, these are also great opportunities to
8 july 2018

book group trips. "We find these vacations
are perfect for clients who have an interest
in renewing their faith or who want to
plan a group with their church to share
the experience with fellow parishioners. In
addition, many travelers simply enjoy the
experience that these vacations offer, often
tracing the footsteps of spiritual leaders
and visiting historically significant
destinations where events from scripture
occurred," says Parrish.
Adds Tommy Ryder, head of sales for
TravelBound, "When we talk to our travel
agents, many are seeing travelers who are
looking to learn more about history or
connect with their roots booking faith-based
trips. Many travel with their family for an
intimate, multi-generational tour. We are
even seeing travelers who aren't primarily
going for religious reasons book tours that
include a historical overview of famous
religious monuments."

The Trip of the Decade
One popular experience that will return
in 2020 is the Oberammergau's Passion

Play, and Globus family of brands
is offering premier, reserved seating
and accommodations in the heart of
Oberammergau on three distinct travel styles
and 14 itineraries starting from $2,049.
"An opportunity that arises once every 10
years, is an opportunity not to be missed,"
said Scott Nisbet, president and CEO of the
Globus family of brands, in press material.
The Passion Play has been a theatrical
tradition in Oberammergau, Germany
since 1634, and performed only once
a decade in this Bavarian village. This
reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ can
be experienced while on a Globus vacation,
a Cosmos getaway, or an Avalon Waterways
river cruise with itineraries that include
accommodations at the Romantik Hotel.
These trips are filling up quickly. Parrish
says, "Book now! To get the best dates and
itineraries, agents need to take action now,
as vacations are filling up and selling fast and
tickets will most likely sell out. Also, if they
have not considered organizing a group, this
is the perfect once-in-a-decade experience for
a family, church or special interest group.
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