FTA 2017 Routes of Faith II | Page 3

What, me worry? CONTENTS You’re in charge of planning a faith-based trip, and that calls for dozens of decisions about destinations, timing, costs, reservations and more. Yikes. I don’t want to add to your anxiety, but if travel isn’t your full-time job, it’s normal to have some hesitation with the task at hand. Here are a few questions trip planners often ask themselves: 4 • How do I piece together an itinerary? EDUCATION • Do I need to create marketing materials? Target Travel CEO Daniele Panzarin provides expert tips on packaging faith-based travel. • How do I know if I’m getting good rates? • Do I have emergency and safety components at the ready? • How do I get my prospects to commit and make a deposit? Faith Travel Association’s Routes of Faith won’t answer all your questions, but it will lead you to people who can. The tour operators who belong to FTA and essentially, NTA—the National Tour Association, FTA’s parent organization—are industry professionals. They know what works and what doesn’t. 6 This magazine also is loaded with ideas about where to go, what to do and who to contact. The organizations featured on the following pages represent the highest level of travel industry experience and expertise. A professional tour operator can be your partner—and your expert. He or she can answer all the questions listed above. INSPIRATION Planning already has begun for the world- famous Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020. Of course you’ve got questions. And FTA members have answers. You can find a list of FTA member tour companies by visiting NTAonline.com and clicking on the tour operator search. Together, you can work out the details of a fantastic travel experience. And then? You can stop worrying. Blessed journeys, 8 Kay Saffari, FTA Coordinator [email protected] DESTINATION San Antonio’s historical missions reveal early 18th-century Spanish influence, culture. 10 Learn more about the people and organizations who belong to FTA. ON THE COVER MEET THE MEMBERS Founded in 1720, San Antonio’s Mission San José still serves as an active parish that is staffed by the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. See story on page 8. FOLLOW US #faithtravelassociation Published by Editor Writer Graphic Design Faith Travel Association Doug Rentz Kay Saffari Jeff Quire faithtravelassociation.com 3