Christian Tour Company Affiliates With WRTA

News Release
For Immediate Release
Draft
May 2007

New Zealand's Christian Tour Company Affiliates With WRTA

World Religious Travel Association estimates the faith based travel market is worth $18 Billion.

Zealandier Tours of New Zealand launched itself into the tourism and travel industry last Easter 2006 as the first Christian based Tour Company for New Zealand. Now 12 months on they have affiliated with the World Religious Travel Association.

WRTA is also a newly formed association last year, due to the increasing demand for faith-based vacations. The WRTA has been launched to advise, build, and connect the estimated $18 – Billion US industry. Their mission is simple and clear. The director Kevin Wright says “we will advise, and assist the travel industry in working with the religious market and establish faith based vacations as a key travel option for the religious consumer.”

The World Tourism Organization reported that faith – based travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the industry; with surveys indicating that one-quarter of travellers said they were currently interested in taking a spiritual vacation (e.g. religious retreat, or pilgrimage) and that the appeal of a spiritual vacation spans all age groups.

The World Travel Market in London released research that identified faith based travel as one of the top critical issues and trends in travel and tourism in the 21st century. The newly formed WRTA will assist with this worldwide growth, by working alongside the tour operator and consumers.

Sowter says it makes sense for Zealandier Tours to be affiliated to this association, for many reasons. Firstly New Zealand is quoted in many publications as being one of the safest places in the world to visit. New Zealand experiences over 2.3 million tourists coming into the country each year, and this number is increasing. Why not offer the Christians an alternative for their travel experience?

Tourism New Zealand is committed to increasing those numbers with various campaigns. Tourism is one of New Zealands most exciting industries as well as a key driver of economic growth. The industry is a hotbed of innovative and enthusiastic people.

TRENZ is to be held this month (May) in Rotorua. This is the largest trade exhibition for the Tourism Industry of New Zealand. It attracts hundreds of offshore “buyers” and Rotorua Tourism is making the most of the opportunities offered by the regions geothermal, Maori and health spa experiences. Their intention is to ensure the “buyers” know that New Zealand is the world’s best tourism destination. Zealandier Tours will be attending this trade exhibition. Zealandier Tours want to be at the cutting edge with what they can offer their travellers, both local and from offshore.

Christian travel is a complete new concept for New Zealanders, but the rest of the world has embraced it for some time. With an ever decreasing values system which we see emerging within our society, people are making a choice to choose Christianity.
A current hotly debated issue within New Zealand.

Zealandier Tours expects their fully escorted tours to appeal to a range of people, the young and old alike.

Sowter says “the Christian aspect of our company will not be pushed, but will be a base for people to know they will be safe, welcome, and free to express their Christianity in a positive manner if they wish.” Our Mission statement is “To combine Business Integrity with Christian Ethics.”

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