It was mentioned recently during the Budgetary speech of 2009 that Barbados
is now considering religious, also known asfaith based tourism.
In a reply to the prime minister's budgetary proposals, Mr. Hamilton Lashley
mentioned that a committee was put in place to include possibly, Apostle Lucile
Baird and Mr. Patrick Tannis to pursue religious tourism in Barbados.
Christian tourism under the umbrella of religious tourism, refers to the entire
industry of Christian travel, tourism, and hospitality. It includes Christians
embarking on individual or in groups on pilgrimages and missionary travel, but
also on religion-based cruises, leisure vacations, crusades, rallies, retreats,
monastery visits/guest-stays and Christian camps, as well as visiting Christian
tourist attractions.
The Minister of Tourism of Jamaica, Mr. Edmund Bartlett, mentioned in an article
published in the Jamaica
Observer that Jamaica is pursuing such a venture.
The tourism minister, said his committee has identified a number of projects to
work on which include the possibilities of establishing a religious theme park,
developing a faith-based map of Jamaica and promoting faith-based cruises to
Jamaica.(Jamaica Observer)
The Travel Industry Association of America reported last November that one in
four travelers are currently interested in "spiritual vacations." The appeal
spans the ages with approximately one-third of each age group (18-34, 35-54, and
55+) expressing interest in taking such a vacation. And according to some
reports, more than 50,000 churches and religious organizations host travel
programs. Today religious travel, tourism, and hospitality is a dynamic
$18-billion global industry with 300 million travelers. In North America alone,
it is estimated at $10 billion.
In an article written by Kevin Wright one of the world's most recognized faith-basedtravel
experts, aptly entitled religious tourism, he mentions that The faith tourism
industry is comprised of virtually every segment of the travel trade. the
following entities comprise religious tourism: tour operators, cruise lines,
airlines, hotels, retreat houses, conference centers, land transportation
companies, destinations, tourist boards, convention and visitors bureaus,
attractions, museums, theaters, restaurants, and service providers like travel
insurance companies.
This move by the Government of Barbados is a great one, as religious
organizations in Barbados are involved in many Christian related conferences and
seminars, and gospel events including Barbados Gospelfest, Jesus Week, Flame
music Awards, Cityworship 168, and many others on an annual basis.
Religious tourism in Barbados, would assist the island in diversifying its
tourism product.
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