Trip Planner 2017-18 Trip Planner For Group Leaders | Page 9

What are a couple of faith destinations that you’ve
added to your itineraries for 2018?
Dyer: We are starting to book trips for travelers interested in the
upcoming 2020 Oberammergau Passion Play in Germany, and we
are already seeing high demand for tours to Lourdes, France, for the
160th Anniversary of the Apparitions next year. We are offering three
new vacations that spotlight Lourdes: the 11-day Marian Shrines of
Europe, the 6-day Pilgrimage to Lourdes and the 20-day Spiritual
Highlights of Iberia, Lourdes and Italy. The latter is an extremely
inclusive tour that features some of Europe’s most popular faith-based
sites including Fatima, Portugal; Santiago de Compostela, Spain;
Lourdes, France; and San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy. This itinerary also
offers travelers the opportunity to join a Papal Audience in Rome.
What advice would you give group travel planners
regarding faith travel and working with tour operators?
Drinkhouse: Ideally group travel planners should contact tour
operators who regularly plan and conduct faith-based tours, as it’s
a specialty product. It’s not just a question of knowing which cities
Carl Preussl (1894-1951).
Old Faithful, 1929. Oil on
canvas. Buffalo Bill Center
of the West. Designated
purchase. 3.01
Drinkhouse: We have recently added a special program at Durham
Cathedral in England, as they offer exclusive evening access. The
groups go to Evensong, have a private tour, and then dine in the
cathedral restaurant. This outing combines well with a trip to The Holy
Island of Lindisfarne, a historical island of religious significance off the
northeast coast of England. We are also doing several new tours for
U.S. church groups that are visiting their connected congregations in
Europe. These trips offer a chance for fellowship and encouragement
and are a great way to connect internationally.
After-dinner devotionals are a popular part of faith-based tours.
to include in the itinerary; it’s about knowing why groups should go
there. What people can they meet, and what volunteer work can
they do nearby? A tour operator experienced in the faith market can
make suggestions about customizing your trip and provide unique
experiences that will make the trip unforgettable for your group.
Dyer: Faith-based travelers looking at popular destinations like Spain,
Portugal, Germany or Israel—especially those traveling in a group—
need to book six to nine months out as these tours sell out quickly,
and demand is high. Your best bet is to start planning your trip early
with an experienced faith-travel tour operator who can handle all the
details and make trip planning seamless for you.
the wildest
way into
yellowstone:
It all begins in Cody.
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
■ Cody Nite Rodeo
■ Old Trail Town
■ Buffalo Bill Dam...and more!
■
Call your group tour pros in Cody, Wyoming:
claudia wade, Cody Country Visitors Council
yellowstonecountry.org | 307-587-2297
debra elwood, Buffalo Bill Center of the West
centerofthewest.org | 307-578-4114
NTAonline.com
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