world religious travel association - an overview

The only association devoted exclusively to providing leadership to all facets of the religious travel and hospitality industry.

Kevin J. WrightPresident

James E. WrightVP Sales & Marketing

WRTA and the Religious Travel & Hospitality Marketplace.

(Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask “the Wrights”).

Let’s briefly discuss the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How of….

WRTA and the Religious Travel & Hospitality Marketplace.

1. Travel to a religious destination (Religious pilgrimage).

2.Travel to a religious gathering (Religious meetings, events, conventions).

3.Travel for leisure purposes by a religious group (cruise, sightseeing, group touring, entertainment, adventure, safari, visits to attractions, and more).

WHAT comprises Religious Travel & Hospitality?

2. Who is involved in Religious Travel & Hospitality?

Wholesalers

Tour Operators

Ground operators

Receptive operators

Incoming operators

Safari operators

Travel agents

Leisure travel

Adventure travel

Active travel

Event services

Restaurants

Destinations

DMOs

Tourist boards

Attractions

Museums

National parks

Nature reserves

Suppliers

Retailers

Insurance companies

Online travel

Publishing

Hotels/Resorts

Lodging facilities

Convention centers

Cruises/River boats

Water transportation

Motorcoach operators

Airlines/Airports

Air service companies

Train/rail service

Car hire/rental cars

Restaurants

Associations (travel/trade)

Answer: Every sector of the travel industry.

Religious Travel & Hospitality Marketplace

Destinations/DMOsTravel wholesalersTravel agentsTransportationHotels/lodgingAttractionsSuppliersAny other sector of the travel industry

Here is a more simplified look…

How BIG isReligious Tourism?

Time for a “pop quiz”….

How many people take a faith-based trip annually (globally)?

300,000 travelers 3 million travelers 30 million travelers 300 million travelers

The Answer...

300 million travelers!

Which of the following trips comprise faith-based tourism?

Holy Land trip to Israel & Jordan South America Mission trip Caribbean cruise Canadian Rockies leisure vacation African safari Weekend ski trip or getaway to Disneyland Hosting an event and/or conference at the Denver Convention Center.

The Answer...

All of these trips!

What percentage of Americans are interested in taking a faith vacation?

1 in 4 Americans 1 in 10 Americans 1 in 25 Americans 1 in 100 Americans

The Answer...

1 in 4 Americans!

Which age group is most attracted to faith-based trips?

Ages 18-34 years old Ages 35-54 years old Ages 55+ years old

The Answer...

All ages equally!

Religious Tourism has gone from niche to

Mass Market- Chicago Tribune (December 2, 2007)

In response to Religious Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality becoming “mass market”…

WRTA was formed in 2007 to serve as the “source and voice” of this robust industry.

Today, WRTA exists to help every sector of the travel industry to tap into this very large and lucrative market.

What to know more about the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA)?

Read on! ...

“About Us” Summary

WRTA is the only global association dedicated to the religious travel and hospitality industry.

Our members come from 30-plus countries on 6 continents and include the entire “infrastructure” of the faith tourism marketplace including wholesalers, suppliers, destinations, travel agents, and planners.

Benefits Summary – what we do

WRTA is the “voice” of religious travel and hospitality throughout the world, especially through the media (including the news, travel, and religious media).

WRTA assists the travel trade in tapping into the religious market and building a successful business.

WRTA serves our travel trade members as “VIPs”; our approach/model includes the following:Visibility (WRTA publicizes its members to the industry; Buyer’s Guide, Online Directory, etc.)Incentives & discounts (i.e. special rates to attend/exhibit at Expo, etc.)Professional development (provides education, business resources, newsletters, etc.)Social activities and networking (social networks, ongoing events, annual Expo, etc.)

We assist consumers with developing travel programs (at their respective faith communities) and introducing them to the “Who’s Who” in the religious travel and hospitality industry (Buyer’s Guide, Online Directory, etc.).

WRTA in 25 words…

WRTA provides leadership, networking opportunities, professional development, and the annual Religious Travel Buyers Guide, EXPO 2009, newsletters and on-line search directories for the religious travel and hospitality industry.

WRTA in 50-words…

WRTA provides leadership, networking venues, professional development, the annual Religious Travel Buyers Guide, EXPO 2009, newsletters, targeted advertising opportunities and on-line search directories for the religious travel and hospitality industry.

WRTA members enjoy a strong competitive advantage in building their brand recognition, meeting buyers, selling their products, profiting from targeted marketing and remaining on the cutting edge in a burgeoning and rapidly changing industry.

WRTA in 100 words…

WRTA provides leadership, networking venues, professional WRTA provides industry leadership, networking opportunities and professional development for travel wholesalers/tour operators, suppliers, destination marketing organizations, travel agents, group planners, churches and religious organizations.

Tools designed to help members establish their presence in this booming market include the annual Religious Travel Buyers Guide, four newsletters, targeted advertising, on-line search directories and the opportunity to meet face-to-face at EXPO 2009 with the Who’s Who of the religious travel and hospitality industry.

WRTA members enjoy a strong competitive advantage in building their brand recognition by having many opportunities to meet buyers, sell their products, profit from new product ideas and staying on the cutting edge in a burgeoning and rapidly changing industry.

About the Religious Travel & Hospitality Market

WRTA Religious travel and hospitality is an industry comprised of 300 million travelers globally and is recognized as one of the fastest growing segments in the travel marketplace.

Religious travel and hospitality today features virtually every type of travel and event including pilgrimages, conventions/meetings, leisure vacations, cruising, adventure/safaris, attractions, missionary travel, volunteer vacations, and much more.

It is one of the most resilient markets.

About the World Religious Travel Expo

WRTA hosts annually the World Religious Travel Expo, which serves as the… “most important meeting and tradeshow in the religious travel and hospitality industry.”

The Expo attracts tourism organizations and travel professionals from 30-plus countries on six continents.

The annual event features the “Who’s Who” in Religious Travel and Hospitality; WRTA’s inaugural Expo in 2008 served as an historic event in the travel industry, as it was the first-ever gathering of the entire faith tourism and hospitality marketplace under one roof.

About WRTA’s Members

WRTA is a market-driven organization. Our membership and Expo currently primarily consists of global sellers and North American buyers (i.e. travel agents, planners, etc.).

As WRTA is a market-driven organization, it is our members who decide which demographic markets to focus on and sell to (i.e. which faith-based groups, geographic areas, age groups; etc.).

Mission Statement

The World Religious Travel Association is the leading organization dedicated to shaping, enriching and expanding the global Religious Travel and Hospitality Industry.

WRTA will help you develop a sustainable competitive advantage, a leadership position.

We provide resources, education and face-to-face opportunities for our members to meet buyers, sell products/services, build their brand, stay on the cutting edge and profit from new market opportunities.

WRTA members represent the Who’s Who in the Religious Travel and Hospitality Marketplace.

WRTA’s Identity

The Source and Voice of the Religious Travel Industry

WRTA in one sentence…

The only association devoted exclusively to providing leadership to all facets of the religious travel and hospitality industry.

Sample WRTA Membership Benefits

• Networking• Professional development• Market trends & research• Product Development resource• Religious Travel e-library• Include WRTA logo on your promotional materials• Advertising Opportunities• Spotlight on Members listing• Promoted in online Directories• Marketing, selling and product development webinars• Submit your blogs and videos for publication via WRTA

• Increased market exposure• Religious Travel Buzz newsletter• Featured in WRTA Buyer’s Guide• Submit news announcements• Complimentary subscriptions to top religious travel publications• Savings to attend or exhibit at World Religious Travel Expo• Find talent via WRTA Job Market.• Preferential publicity & visibility• Sponsor trade shows, seminars, webinars, publications, and more• Join WRTA’s social networks on LinkendIn, Facebook, and Twitter

Expanded Description of Benefits

See WRTA membership brochure for description of membership benefits and values

See 2009 Expo brochure for description of Expo opportunities.

Also visit the WRTA Website and “Join WRTA” webpages for more information about Membership benefits.

Anyone can join WRTA’s Social Networks – it’s FREE!

WRTA Social Network (www.WRTAsocialnetwork.com)

Facebook

Linkedin

Twitter

World Religious Travel Association Shaping a New Era of Leaders in Religious Travel and Hospitality

www.WRTAreligioustravel.com

www.WRTAexpo.com