Tapping the Uncovered -- Spiritual Tourism

Imtiaz Muqbil,

Executive Editor, Travel Impact Newswire

Writer and Researcher, Issues & Trends, PATA

PATA Travel Mart 2003

03 October 2003

Singapore

786/110

First time ever at an international travel show

Thanks to Sheila Leong and Peter de Jong

Why Me? Born in India, studied in a Christian

missionary school, a Muslim by faith, now living in Buddhist Thailand

Amateur student of the role of religions in world affairs

Write a column in the Bangkok Post Follower of one, Believer in All

History of travel Visual Recreational Physical Mental

and now Spiritual

Other reasons why people travel

Conquest, trade, missionaries Time Space Knowledge VFR But one of the most important

reasons is:

The Search for Self Not just what you know, but who you

know People turning to spirituality. A deeper yearning to Get Connected Times of trouble, uncertainty, difficulty People in search for HOPE and better

times

Relationships Rod Gluth’s Hong Kong story Kamal Kaul’s son story Phuket Air story

The Transition Data Information Knowledge Intelligence Wisdom

Religion and Travel interlinked

Mosques, Churches and Temples. Religious monuments all around the

world and featured in itineraries. Part of our heritage, culture, history.

Brands How many of these brands do you

recognise?

Huge market Students, old people, families, women Anyone wanting to reconnect with

spirituality, foster a sense of community and brotherhood

The Importance of water Sea of Galilee Rivers: Ganges, Brahmaputra,

Tigris/Euphrates, Nile, Indus, Mekong, Yangtze

Desert: Zam Zam

Sites and Maps

Good starting place UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Other places Kumbh Mela Buddhist Circuit Bethlehem 2000 Australia The Haj

Huge inconveniences: Transportation and other logistics,

accommodation problems. Sanitation, hygiene, Telecommunications, food,

environmental management. Fire, health

Conclusion But entirely worth it. Will be Big Business in Future DON’T MISS THE OPPORTUNITY

THANK YOU!