New Globus Faith-Based Vacation Itineraries Released

At 16.3 million travelers, the potential market for international religious vacations is sizeable and it's grown 5 percent in the last five years. In fact, 35 percent of all outbound travelers are interested in taking a religious vacation and 25 percent of them are using a faith-based getaway as inspiration to travel internationally for the first time.* To cater to these travelers, Globus is unveiling seven (7) international faith-based itineraries for 2014, including a NEW 8-day Legacy of Pope John Paul II (in Poland). Value-focused sister brand, Cosmos, will unveil four (4) budget-friendly options (starting from $127/day), including a NEW 12-day Shrines of France & Lourdes.

While the whole of Europe continues to lure religious vacationers, Italy and Israel top the list of divine destinations (58 percent of travelers are interested in Israel; 30 percent in Italy). * So, it's no surprise that Globus' 9-day Journey Through the Holy Land and 11-day Grand Catholic Italy tours are two of the company's most popular faith-based vacations year after year. For just over $150 per day, Cosmos also invites travelers to these destinations with such "hit" getaways as 9-day Spiritual Highlights of Italy and 9-day Holy Land Discovery.

"Travel is the one thing you can buy that leaves you richer," said Mike Schields, managing director of groups and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands. "When you take a religious vacation, you become rich with memories, knowledge and a deepened sense of faith and spirituality."

Globus' religious travel research supports this notion given that half (49 percent) of religious travelers view a faith-based vacation as something they need to do to enhance their faith. And, half (51 percent) also feel more comfortable spending on a religious vacation than a "regular" getaway. *

A strong sense of community is important to religious travelers. In fact, 70 percent are likely to choose a group tour for their religious travel experience. * Now, with new faith-based itineraries offered by both Globus and Cosmos, travelers have more tour choices.

"Your faith-based journey should feel as special as it does spiritual. We get it," said Schields. "Whether travelers are on one of our published itineraries or a custom tour, they are privy to award-winning land programs, world-class accommodations, guided sightseeing, unequaled VIP access into key destinations and incomparable storytelling, thanks to the finest Tour Directors in the business."

As part of its faith-based options, Globus helps travelers raise funds for their church with a Get Out & Give Back program. When groups book their faith-based vacation with Globus or Cosmos, the companies will contribute up to $1,000 to the church, after the trip's conclusion.

Globus, the first large tour operator to embrace faith-based travel by creating a religious travel division in 2004, will celebrate its 10th Anniversary as it unveils 2014 itineraries this week. For more information, visit GlobusFaith.com or "like" us on Facebook.

Early Booking Incentive: To reward travelers, and in recognition of our 10-year anniversary, we are offering the following early booking incentives: Save 10 percent on 2014 Globus Religious tours. Or if you are traveling as part of a group, save $100 per person on Cosmos or $200 per person on Globus faith-based getaways.

*TravelStyles travel survey, conducted in 2011, surveyed more than 40,000 households of outbound travelers; Globus' proprietary religious travel questions surveyed nearly 1,000 past and potential religious travelers.

ABOUT THE GLOBUS FAMILY OF BRANDS
Littleton, Colorado-based Group Voyagers, Inc. is the privately held company that markets and sells the Globus family of brands within the United States. Globus, Cosmos, Monograms and Avalon Waterways offer travelers unparalleled tour, independent travel package, river- and small-ship cruise options. Considered the world's largest tour operator, with more than 80 years of international travel experience, the Globus family of brands is dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers by turning foreign destinations into familiar harbors, where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value. The Globus family of brands is a member of Sustainable Travel International (STI). Consumers can book a Globus family of brands vacation or request brochures by visiting a preferred travel agent or by calling the following toll free number: 1.866.313.2855. For more information, please visit www.globusfamily.com.