Faith-based tourism will be an important focus at the 2011 NTA Convention in Las Vegas, highlighted by the association’s first-ever Faith-based Tourism Leaders Forum, set for Dec. 7, the NTA reports.
“This forum will bring together experienced leaders who can identify trends within the market,” said Lisa Simon, NTA president. “For example: Is it certain destinations that people of faith want to reach? Or is it that people of faith just like to travel together? It’s probably both, but we’ll look for those trends, interests and challenges that define the market.”
Earlier this year, NTA formed its Faith-based Tourism Advisory Council to help expand business opportunities for members, and that’s also the goal of the forum, according to Malia Asfour, a member of the council, and director of the Jordan Tourism Board North America.
“We’re using the forum to create a network of faith-based tourism professionals who can provide ongoing guidance for NTA members,” said Asfour. “That way, a community of professionals within NTA can work together year-round to overcome challenges and develop solutions.”
To ensure broad representation at the forum, NTA has sought experts both from within and outside its membership. Twenty-seven companies have already committed to attending the forum, NTA says, including:
1. Ed-Ventures, Inc.
2. Reformation Tours
3. GTA North America
4. Jordan Tourism Board North America
5. Switzerland Tourism
6. Nebraska Travel & Tourism
7. Jerusalem T&T Ltd.
8. Touring Israel
9. Pulsar Tourism Ltd.
10. Magister Tours
11. Meander Travel
12. United Travel Agency
13. Travellers International
14. Wens Travel
15. Ontdek Kenya Safaris
16. Select Travel Service Ltd.
17. Agri Travel Services
18. Earth Bound Tours
19. Twin Travel Concepts
20. Sweet Magnolia Tours, Inc.
21. Myer Hotels-Branson’s Award-Winning Hotels
22. Presleys’ Country Jubilee
23. Tourisme Quebec
24. Quebec’s National Shrines
25. The Bahamas Tourist Office
26. Historic Temple Square LDS Church
27. FamilySearch at Temple Square
“We expect a lively dialogue at this event,” said Simon. “Each participant will walk away with useful information and practical ideas, and they’ll be part of a new peer network.”
NTA members are tour operators, suppliers and destination marketing organizations from more than 40 countries.
Visit www.ntaonline.com