These top spiritual tour operators have a stellar reputation for delivering memorable experiential travel to the faith-based market
Even the most experienced pastors planning a religious tour rely on professional tour operators, especially for overseas journeys. While there are hundreds of tour companies serving the faith travel market, here are seven spiritual tour operators that truly understand the faith-based travel market, listed in alphabetical order.
1) Catholic Travel Centre
In business since 1991, Catholic Travel Centre works with over 400 archdiocese, national organizations, religious orders and church choirs on pilgrimages and spiritual Catholic tours. It has an impressive line-up of sample tour packages covering worldwide destinations and specialty tours like World Youth Day and choir trips. (gocatholictravel.com/)
2) Educational Opportunities
Celebrating 40 years in business, Educational Opportunities is a Holy Land specialist, boasting quality Christian travel programs at affordable prices. This Florida-based operator has shipped over 350,000 travelers in its history. The firm has an active group leader program, including a $500 “share the ministry” stipend for referring fellow group leaders, and a co-host program that helps new religious group leaders fill their trip with the help of another church. (eo.travelwithus.com/)
3) Friendship Tours
Whether you want to marvel at the wonders of Christ and his disciples while visiting the sites where they stood, connect with your Christian heritage through pilgrimage to the Holy Land, or simply travel with like-minded people of faith, Friendship Tours offers a host of enriching opportunities at a great value. Popular offerings include the Holy Land and Jordan Tour and the Christian Tour of Italy.(friendshiptours.com/)
4) Globus Faith
One of the most recognized and trusted brands in the spiritual tour industry, Globus has a dedicated faith-based division that works with churches worldwide on developing spiritual journeys for their congregations. Massive buying power and worldwide destinations and distribution make Globus a formidable competitor in this market. (globusfaith.com/)
5) Journeys Unlimited
Founders Nick Mancino and Ray Masillo began their ministry in travel in the 1960s, joining forces in 1990 when they formed Journeys Unlimited. The firm features a full array of European and Holy Land tours. Journeys is part of Group IST which also operates Regina Tours, a leading provider of pilgrimages and spiritual tours for the Catholic travel groups. (journeys-unlimited.com/)
6) Perillo Tours
The Perillo name has been synonymous with Italian vacations for over 85 years. The firm’s Italian Shrines and Ultimate Vatican Experience tours allow it to flex its muscles for Christian travel groups eager to have a religious-themed vacation coupled with the beauty and history of Italy. (perillotours.com/)
7) Reformation Tours
This family-run tour operation based in the St. Louis area is dedicated to encouraging believers through church history-inspired travel. Reformation prides itself on relaxed paced, history-inspired, fellowship infused European vacations. (reformationtours.com/)
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