LITTLETON, Colorado – June 5, 2008 – Despite the weak dollar, talk of recession and fear of ever-growing gas and food prices, Americans are traveling.  They are venturing to different destinations and exploring new means of travel, including enjoying the cost- and experiential-benefits associated with taking tours, river cruises and packaged vacations.  Now, as the industry braces itself for change, one travel leader – the Globus family of brands – offers insight into its most popular destinations and products in 2008.

“Our faith in the popularity of religious travel continues to increase with a surge in sales,” said Mike Schields, director of group sales and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands.   “We’ve seen more than a 500 percent boost in bookings of select religious vacations since 2007.”

According to Schields, Globus’ most popular religious vacation is Footsteps of Apostle Paul.  Other faith-based itineraries benefitting from increased bookings include: Marian Shrines of Europe, Grand Catholic Italy and Lourdes & Shrines of France.

France is proving to be a popular destination for religious and non-religious travelers, alike.  Several of the Globus family of brands’ French itineraries are enjoying double-digit percentage growth including: Cosmos’ nine-day Jewels of France tour; Monograms’ four-day Paris vacation package and Globus’ 12-day Bordeaux Wine Country, Lourdes & Provence and nine-day Normandy, Brittany & Châteaux Country tours.

“In addition to seeing France grow in popularity, we’re seeing resurgence of interest in Britain and Ireland,” said Steve Born, vice president of marketing and customer care for the Globus family of brands.  “For instance, Globus’ seven-day Introduction to Ireland vacation has experienced exponential growth this year as has Monograms’ four-day London excursion.  In general, when traveling to Europe, Americans are taking shorter and more value-focused vacations,” said Born.

And, as many industry experts predicted early this year, Globus has also seen increased interest from American travelers in staying closer to home.   “Our National Parks tours have witnessed nearly 100 percent growth in the last several months,” said Born.

Those Globus and Cosmos U.S. tours that are proving to be hot in 2008, include: National Park Highlights, National Parks & Canyon Country, Golden West Adventure, Fall Foliage Getaway, Southern Coastal Journey, America’s Historic East, San Francisco & California Wine Country and the Best of Branson.

“Turkey, South America, Australia and Japan have also observed stand-out sales for us,” said Born.  

The Globus family of brands is unveiling 2009 tours, independent travel packages and river cruises in the next several months.  With these new vacations, the team is offering travelers additional deals and promotions in an effort to maximize experiences while minimizing the expense of travel.  “We’re dedicated to enriching the lives of travelers,” said Born.  “We turn foreign destinations into familiar harbors where the expense of travel is forgotten and replaced by personal value.”



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 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.  

Consumers can book a Globus family of brands’ 2008/2009 European Winter Vacation or request a brochure 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.

Travel agents can request a Globus family of brands’ 2008/2009 European Winter Vacations brochure by calling toll free 1.800.221.0090 or visiting www.globusfamilypartner.com.