NTA, World Religious Travel Association Form Partnership

The National Tour Association (NTA) and the World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) have announced a cooperative agreement to partner in the management of the October 29–November 1 WRTA Expo and to work together to educate their members on the value of the faith-based market. The two groups will also explore new business opportunities. The NTA will help manage Expo events, including the operations and logistics. Currently, 35 percent of NTA tour operators offer religious tour product.

The World Religious Travel Expo is the gathering of the worldwide faith tourism industry including exhibitors from more than 30 countries and travel agents, group planners, tour operators and destinations. The Expo will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

"Serving as a high profile gathering of the 'movers and shakers' and new entrants in faith tourism, the Expo is attracting hundreds of travel wholesalers, tourist boards, suppliers, travel agents and group planners from more than 30 countries on six continents," said Kevin J. Wright, president of WRTA. "We're excited to have found the 'perfect partner and convention manager' in NTA."

As part of the new relationship, NTA and WRTA hope to expand the overall growth of the travel industry through faith tourism, bringing both memberships opportunities for education and professional development. Faith-based tourism is an $18 billion market.

Visit www.ReligiousTravelAssociation.com or www.NTAonline.com.