Costa's Zarmati to Speak at WRTA

Maurice Zarmati, president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines, North America and the Honorable Neko C. Grant, Bahamas Minister of Tourism, will be keynote speakers at the World Religious Travel Association’s (WRTA) Oct.29- Nov. 1 Travel Expo 2008 in Orlando.

Kevin J. Wright, president of the WRTA, said the two speakers reflected the growth and diversity of today’s faith tourism industry. The Bahamas has developed itself into a top destination for this vast and lucrative market, serving as a getaway for faith-based events, meetings, cruises and missionary travel.

At the same time, Costa Cruise Lines represents one of the newest and most popular vacation choices of today’s faith-based consumer. Today, hundreds of churches and religious organizations embark each year on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska and the Mediterranean, among other places, Wright said.

Wright said that the Bahamas has the distinction of being one of the few countries in the world with a fully dedicated religious travel department. More than 100 exhibitors and more than 400 participants are expected at the event to be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort Hotel & Convention Center. Visit www.ReligiousTravelExpo.com.