Faith Travel Association’s interim executive director Karla DiNardo says the faith-based travel sector is evolving, opening up more opportunities for travel agents to tap into a segment that has grown beyond purely pilgrimages and trips to religious sites.
"Faith-based travel continues to become more leisure-oriented," DiNardo said, announcing details of a trade event focused on helping agents promote services to faith-based travelers and tour groups.
"We see this in two different ways: people of faith are choosing more leisure-based trips and non-religious attractions such as a congregation outing to a local theme park or professional sports event."
Travel agents are being encouraged to join the Faith Travel Association and attend FTA Day at the NTA Travel Exchange 2015 held in New Orleans on January 19.
"We can help agents tap into the growing faith-based travel market and develop contacts in an entirely new arena," said Karla DiNardo.
Events like this "let travel agents cast a wider net to capture the faith-based travel market and focus on more than just church groups," according to DiNardo.
"Congregations of faith tend to be loyal, so as you develop that relationship you will begin to see a return on your initial investment of time and expertise."
