EDUCATIONAL AND BUSINESS SEMINAR PROGRAM ON FAITH TOURISM
Theodore Koumelis
Travel Daily News International
World Religious Travel Expo
Thursday, October 08, 2009
After hosting the industry’s first-ever, historic international
gathering for the $18 billion religious travel marketplace in
fall 2008, the World Religious Travel Association is expanding its
vision and reach yet again in 2009. At this fall’s 2nd annual World
Religious Travel Expo, WRTA will host the industry’s largest and
most comprehensive educational seminar and business program ever
assembled. As a result of the remarkable caliber of the event and
presentations scheduled, Expo delegates can earn a maximum of 3 CEUs
through The Travel Institute.
The all-star line-up of impressive speakers includes the
globally-recognized religious travel expert, Kevin J. Wright, WRTA
president; North America’s top faith-based marketing authority, Greg
Stielstra, Faith-based Marketing and Pyromarketing author; travel
industry’s leading retail expert and NACTA president, Scott Koepf; as
well as government officials including Jordan Minister of Tourism and
Antiquities, Her Excellency Mrs. Maha Khatib, and Palestine Minister
of Tourism & Antiquities, Her Excellency Dr. Khouloud Daibes.
Numerous travel industry executives and authorities have also been
selected to speak including Torre Ossmo, vice president Faithful
Holidays/Division of Mayflower Tours; Bob Faucett, vice president
Unitours; George Vella, sales manager North America, German National
Tourist Board, Jim Buddendorf, president MTS Travel; George Van
der Wath, president Groups 2 Africa; Mirko Capodanno, Switzerland
Tourism; Fuad Kattan, president ACA Travel & Tourism (Palestine);
Michelle Clavijo-Diaz, Lifetree Adventures; Cindi Brodhecker, president
Faith Travel Development and Consulting, and many more. With dozens
of speakers planned for Expo 2009, the presenters represent a wide
variety of backgrounds and destinations including India, Armenia,
Cyprus, Africa, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, Palestine, Jordan,
like a kid in a candy store with this remarkable array of speakers,"
said Kevin J. Wright, WRTA president. "The sheer wealth of knowledge
and wisdom among these speakers is exactly what is needed for every
Expo delegate to plan and prepare for their best year ever in 2010. It
is simply a tremendous honor for WRTA to host such an extraordinary
and inspiring group of speakers. This is a testament to the power
and prestige of today’s faith tourism marketplace."
"As a speaker and exhibitor for the second year, I am honored to
play such an important part again this year," said Torre Ossmo,
vice president and general manager for Faithful Holidays. "I want
to congratulate and thank WRTA for having such a great line up for
the educational conference this year. The presentations, discussion
topics and information provided at the educational conference will be
crucial to the attendees, especially as we’re all looking for success
as we address the market challenges ahead."
WRTA is currently taking registrations for the Word Religious Travel
Expo & Educational Conference 2009, which will be held November
14-16, 2009, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center in Reno, Nevada
(USA). Serving as the most important meeting and tradeshow in the
religious travel and hospitality industry, the event is expected to
draw tourism organizations, travel professionals, and group planners
from 30-plus countries.
A new highlight for the Expo includes co-locating with the National
Tour Association Convention ’09, offering members of both associations
unprecedented opportunities for business growth, networking, and
access to new market opportunities.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
