Globus growing faith-based tour offerings

Jerusalem skyline from the Dominus Flevit Church

The announcement came not long after Globus released the results of a religious travel survey conducted by TravelStyles. The survey reported that 25 percent of travelers are using faith-based vacations as a motivator to travel internationally for the first time.“In 2013, Cosmos will help inspire even more international travel with new faith-based journeys,” said Mike Schields, managing director of groups and emerging marketing for the Globus family of brands. “Now, dreams of taking an enriching faith-based vacation can be a reality for the masses.”

Italy and Israel remain at the top of the most sought-after religious destinations with 58 percent interested in Israel and 30 percent in Italy. The continued popularity of Globus’ “Israel and Jordan” and “Grand Catholic Italy” tours reflect these findings. Cosmos will offer these two destinations as well with the 9-day “Spiritual Highlights of Italy” and 9-day “Holy Land Discovery.”

Also new in 2013 is Globus’ Get Out and Give Back program that helps religious travelers raise funds for their church. After a group books a faith-based trip with Globus or Cosmos, the company will donate up to $1,000 to the church after the trip’s conclusion.

Faith-based travel has grown nearly five percent since 2007, making the total amount of potential religious travelers at 16.3 million, according to the survey. About 70 percent of those travelers are likely to choose a group tour for their religious travel experience.

Travelers can save 10 percent on their 2013 Globus religious vacation by booking and paying nine months in advance. For more information, visit www.globusfaith.com.