Divine Destinations

ANCHOR LEAD:
THE SUMMER TRAVEL SEASON IS JUST KICKING OFF... AND WHILE MANY OF US DREAM OF LOUNGING ON THE BEACH, HIKING THE GRAND CANYON OR STROLLING THROUGH THE STREETS OF PARIS, A GROWING NUMBER OF VACTIONERS ARE HEADING TO DIVINE DESTINATIONS. __________ GIVES YOU A HEADS UP ON A NEW TRAVEL TREND...

TRACK ONE Length: 03
EMILY AND WILLIS GOULD TRAVEL RELIGIOUSLY... LITERALLY.

SOT
KEY @: 07 Willis Gould, Holy Traveler
"We did the tour of the Reformation, Second and Third Journeys of Paul, a Holy Land tour."

TRACK TWO Length: 08
THEY BOOK THEIR TRIPS THROUGH A COMPANY CALLED EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES... ONE OF SEVERAL THAT NOW SPECIALIZES IN VACATIONS TO SACRED SITES.

SOT
KEY @: 20 Emily Gould, Holy Traveler
"We do have speakers who talk about the areas with religious depth; we read scripture."

SOT
KEY @: 26 Hank Phillips, National Tour Association
"There's been in the last few years a very definite increase in religious trips."

TRACK THREE Length: 07
SOURCE: National Tour Association
THE NATIONAL TOUR ASSOCIATION'S HANK PHILLIPS SAYS 40 PERCENT OF THEIR MEMBERS NOW OFFER GET-A-WAYS FOR DEVOUT TOURISTS.

SOT
Length: 05(Hank Phillips, National Tour Association )
"They want to have an experience, something that's more fulfilling than simply sightseeing."

TRACK FOUR Length:14
TRAVELERS CAN FOLLOW THE APOSTLE PAUL'S VOYAGE THROUGH GREECE AND ITALY... EXPLORE JEWISH HERITAGE IN THE HOLY LAND...OR SEE ANCIENT CHRISTIAN SITES IN ETHIOPIA.
THESE DIVINE JOURNEYS OFTEN INCLUDE AIRFARE, MEALS, LODGING, GUIDES AND ENTRANCE FEES.

SOT
KEY @: 58 Emily Gould, Holy Traveler
"When you leave the country, you know what your trip is going to cost you."

TRACK FIVE Length: 04
THAT HELPED BARBY SCHWID WHEN SHE RECENTLY TOOK A 'GIRLS ONLY' TOUR TO ISRAEL..

SOT
KEY @: 1:08 Barby Schwid, Holy Traveler
"We prayed together, and we held hands, and we cried, and we sang."

TRACK SIX Length: 07
WHEN BOOKING A TOUR, PHILLIPS SAYS LOOK FOR A COMPANY THAT'S A MEMBER OF A NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ASSOCIATION AND...

SOT
KEY @: 1:20 Hank Phillips, National Tour Association
"It's a good idea to talk directly with the company and ask questions and get references."

TRACK SEVEN Length: 03
BARBY DID JUST THAT... AND SHE SAYS HER TRIP WAS PERFECT.

SOT
Length: 06(Barby Schwid, Holy Traveler )
"We had ten days of the most amazing experience that we could ever imagine."

ANCHOR TAG:
PHILLIPS SAYS PRICES FOR RELIGIOUS TOURS CAN VARY GREATLY DEPENDING ON YOUR DESTINATION AND WHAT EXTRAS YOU OPT FOR... BUT COSTS RANGE FROM JUST A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO SEVERAL THOUSAND.

SOURCE INFORMATION:

Hank Phillips
National Tour Association
546 E. Main Street
Lexington, KY 40508
PR Contact:
Sara Morton
859-226-4418

Hank Phillips is the President of the National Tour Association. He says that more and more companies are offering religious themed travel to keep up with the demands of consumers, and he expects to see even more tours offered in the future.

NOTE TO CLIENTS: Video of religious trips was provided by Educational Opportunities. Video is footage from actual tours, and was used to demonstrate tours, in general.
PR Contact: Susan Andrus
sandrus@travelwithus.com