WRTA to host inaugural religious travel mart
The World Religious Travel Association (WRTA) will host the first annual World Religious Travel Expo & Educational Conference, Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2008, in Orlando. As the first international event of its kind, it will feature travel wholesalers, suppliers, tourist boards, agencies and group travel organizers from the $18 billion faith tourism industry.

"Although religious tourism is one of history's oldest travel segments, no large-scale trade convention has ever been held for this 300-million traveler market," said Kevin Wright, WRTA president. "All market segments will be represented at the Expo, including pilgrimage, cruising, missions, leisure vacations, attractions, conferences, retreats, Christian camps, and volunteer vacations, among others."

The WRTA Expo will feature two venues: The International Tradeshow and The Educational Conference. The combined event will provide a forum for travel suppliers, destinations, wholesalers, agencies and church travel planners to meet face-to-face, develop partnerships, find new products and services, and generate new qualified leads. Wright expects the tradeshow to become the annual gathering for exhibiting, networking and brand building in the vast faith tourism industry.