Growth in Grace
Spiritual Pilgrimages on the Rise Worldwide
Spiritual pilgrimages, religious retreats and other faith-based journeys comprise one of today’s fastest-growing travel markets, according to the World Tourism Organization. The first International Conference on Religious Tourism in 2006 estimated it to be an $18 billion industry worldwide. A Travel Industry Associa- tion of America survey found that one in four travelers said they were currently interested in taking a spiritual vacation, and the interest is spread evenly among all adult age groups. Packaged tours embrace everything from formative Christian destinations to sites sacred in Buddhist, Hindu, Islam and other ancient religious traditions. The oldest known pilgrimage site is said to be Mount Kailash, in Tibet, a holy travel destination for about 15,000 years.
Those not up to the physical demands of travel can alternatively take advantage of the growing number of DVDs available online and at local libraries that al- low individuals to take “armchair” pilgrimages around the world.
Train Travel
America Rediscovers the
Joy of Riding the Rails
Due in part to higher gasoline prices and frustrations associated with airline travel, long-distance rail travel for 2008 and 2009 was up 24 percent and 19 percent, respectively, com- pared with 2007. Amtrak, America’s passenger railroad, is busy improv- ing speed and customer service, while building new routes to include underserved and unserved communi- ties. The company is benefiting from reauthorization of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, robustly supported by the Obama administration.
Current U.S. routes comprise
22,000 rail miles. Lodging and features range from roomettes and bedroom packages that include meals to family suites with showers. Pas- sengers enjoy panoramic scenic views from second-story sightseeing lounge cars and can gather to mingle, watch a movie or share a meal and refresh- ments. “The relaxed atmosphere seems to encourage people to [open up and] tell their life stories,” com- ments John Pitt, author of The Bradt
Travel Guide, USA by Rail.
Tips for traveling the rails in- clude: make friends with the car attendant; pack easy-to-prepare foods and water from home, small toys and games for the kids plus pillows and blankets for everyone; and stock an essentials bag with binoculars, books, cards, maps with rail lines, earplugs, eyeshade, pocket flashlight, sunglass- es and a cheap digital watch with an alarm.
For detailed information on routes and more, visit
Amtrak.com.
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Phoenix
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