According to a Religious Travel Study (conducted by Menlo Consulting Group), 4.5 million people have traveled internationally on a religious or faith-based vacation.
That number is expected to increase exponentially in the next five years: The same study revealed that by 2012, an additional 9.7 million will have traveled internationally on religious journeys.
As one of the first large tour operators to embrace faith-based travel, creating a religious travel division in 2004, Globus continues to cater to this growing trend, unveiling both new vacations and destinations in 2009, including a highly anticipated return to Israel.
The study revealed that 54 percent of people interested in religious travel consider Israel to be the most desirable vacation destination, while 41 percent believe Italy is.
The research shows that nearly 75 percent of people interested in religious vacations want to delve deeper into their faiths with others who share their passions and interests by traveling as part of an escorted tour group.
Most are also looking for vacations ranging from five to 14 days, filled with a balance of both religious and non-religious exploration, such as shopping and entertainment, as well as first-class service and amenities.
Home Based Travel Agents can Earn HUGE Commissions buy Helping Local Churches Organize Group faith based Religious Vacations.
Globus' 2009 Religious Vacations include:
1. New Journey Through the Holy Land,
a 10-day exploration of the Holy Land, including Philippi, Corinth, Ephesus and other places where Apostle Paul traveled. Clients will stand atop Mount Nebo, enjoy a cruise on the Sea of Galilee, ride a cable car in Masada, visit the site of David's victory over Goliath in the Valley of Elah, and take part in a historical overview of early Christianity. The program is priced from $2,099 land-only.
2. New Vatican, Assisi & Southern Italy (plus Medjugorje Extension) is an eight-day vacation to Rome featuring a weekly general audience with the Pope as well as visits to the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Square, the Catacombs, St. Mary Major Basilica, St. John Lateran Basilica and the Holy Stairs, a landmark brought from Jerusalem to Rome around 326 A.D., among other major landmarks. From Rome, travelers will enjoy experiences in Assisi, Pompeii and Sorrento. Those wanting to extend their journey abroad can enjoy three more days with a Medjugorje (Mostar) extension. The program is priced from $2,049 land-only (or from $3,599 with Medjugorje extension).
3. Jordan & Egypt in the Bible
Is a 10-day vacation that starts in the Dead Sea and includes excursions to Amman, Jerash, Um Quais and John the Baptist's Baptismal Archeological Park in Bethany. Also included is Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, and Wadi Mujib and the Crusaders Castle of Kerak to Petra. In Lawrence of Arabia's Wadi Rum, travelers will enjoy a Jeep tour before flying from Amman to Cairo to meet an Egyptologist for a spectacular day of sightseeing including Giza's Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. The tour is priced from $2,169 land-only (includes intra-tour flight).
4. Footsteps of Apostle Paul,
Globus' most popular religious vacation, is a 10-day tour beginning in Athens, with visits to the Acropolis and Areopagus, where Paul delivered his famous sermon about the identity of "the Unknown God." Clients will continue to Corinth on to Piraeus where they will board a three-day Greece and Turkey cruise that includes visits to the islands of Mykonos, Rhodes and Lindos. Then they will enjoy more sightseeing in Thessalonika and an excursion along the ancient route of Apostle Paul to Amphipolis, ancient Philippi and Kavala. Travelers will continue to Veria and visit the Bema of Paul, among other cultural sites. The tour is priced from $2,079 land-only.
5. Lourdes & Shrines of France
Is a 10-day vacation beginning in Paris, seeing major sites including Notre Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Sacre Coeur, Our Lady of Miraculous Medal and St. Vincent de Paul Shrines. From Paris, travelers will board the high-speed "TGV" train to Lourdes, one of the world's most famous places of pilgrimage. There they will visit the Grotto where Virgin Mary appeared to St. Bernadette in 858, Our Lady of Lourdes Shrine and St. Bernadette's birthplace. Travelers can also choose to bathe in the healing waters and attend the "Blessing of the Sick." They can admire medieval Carcassonne on their way to Avignon with stops in La Salette to visit the church and the Apparition Site. In Ars-sur-Formans, travelers will visit the St. John Vianney Shrine, his home and church. Other sightseeing includes the Chapel of the Apparitions, the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and St. Gildard. The tour is priced from $2,599, land-only.
Any booking of 2009 Globus, Cosmos, Monograms or Avalon vacations for five, six or seven travelers will receive the $75 off per person offer.
Bookings must be made, under deposit, and discount applied between June 4 and Dec. 31 for travel through Dec. 31, 2009. Individuals must be traveling together from the same origination point to receive the discount.
For more information, visit http://www.globusjourneys.com/ or http://www.globusfaith.com/.
For brochures, call 800-221-0090 or visit http://www.globusfamilypartner.com/.
For more information or reservations, call 800-221-0090 or visit http://www.globusjourneys.com/.
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