VACATIONS WITH A PURPOSE ON THE RISE

Tours & Cruises Featuring the Passion Play Among Most Popular Faith-Based Getaways in 2010

LITTLETON, Colorado – February 2, 2010 – According to Globus' Religious Travel Study (conducted by Menlo Consulting Group), 4.5 million people have traveled internationally on a religious or faith-based vacation.  That number is expected to increase exponentially by the end of this year when an additional 9.7 million people will have traveled internationally on religious journeys.

One possible growth explanation, according to Mike Schields, director of group sales and emerging markets for the Globus family of brands, is that 2010 marks the anniversary of Oberammergau's Passion Play, a 400-year-old tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of people every 10 years.   In fact, thanks to the Passion Play, bookings on European itineraries with Oberammergau extensions are up 1350 percent for 2010 and the company’s Cosmos Oberammergau vacations have sold out. 

"Oberammergau's Passion Play is a once-in-a-decade experience; it provides Americans a strong incentive to book a European getaway," said Schields.  "And, demand for these vacations is high so we've developed the widest range of travel styles and pricing available for religious and secular getaways in 2010."

As the first and one of the only large tour operators to embrace faith-based vacations, having created a religious division in 2004, Globus is leading the industry in religious travel offerings.   In addition to its Oberammergau itineraries, Globus has experienced great traveler excitement around Israel.  "We unveiled Journey through the Holy Land this year and in less than 10 months, it's become our most popular getaway," said Schields.  "In addition, Grand Catholic Italy and Footsteps of Apostle Paul round out our 'top three faith-based itineraries."

For more information, go to www.globusjourneys.com or www.globusfaith.com or view the Globus family of brands’ Oberammergau e-brochure at http://viewer.zmags.com/showmag.php?mid=ffhwr. 

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Sample Globus family of brands’ Oberammergau vacations:

Globus Religious Vacations

·    Catholic Germany & the Alps, Plus Oberammergau (9 days), priced from $2,639 land-only.

·    The European Reformation, Plus Oberammergau (11 days), priced from $2,869 land-only.

Globus European Vacations

·       Enchanting Europe, Plus Oberammergau (13 days), priced from $3,569, land-only.

·       German Highlights, Plus Oberammergau (10 days), priced from $2,849, land-only.

·       Munich, Salzburg & Vienna, Plus Oberammergau (10 days), priced from $2,689, land-only.

(Note: Cosmos Oberammergau vacations have sold out)

Avalon Waterways’ Oberammergau highlights include

Four-night Oberammergau cruise extension packages available weekly from May 19 – September 29, 2010 with the following river cruise itineraries for $1,834 land-only. (More itineraries available)

·       The Romantic Rhine

·       The Legendary Danube

·       Burgundy & Provence

·       Windmills, Vineyards & Paris

Three-night Oberammergau cruise extension packages available weekly from May 16 – September 26, 2010 with the following river cruise itineraries for $2,140 land-only. (More itineraries available)

·       Central European Experience

·       Blue Danube Discovery

·       Jewels of Central Europe

·       North Sea-Black Sea Cruise

Other 2010 Religious Vacation Highlights:

·       Journey through the Holy Land, 10 days, priced from $1,849 land-only.

·       Footsteps of Apostle Paul, 10 days, priced from $1,829 land-only.

·       Lourdes & Shrines of France, 11 days, priced from $2,489 land-only.

·       The Vatican & Assisi, 7 days, priced from $1,589 land-only.

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 vacation or request 2010 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.