The regions religious tourism sector can play a decisive role in driving the short term industry revenues according to Kevin J. Wright, President of the World Religious Travel Association. The regions burgeoning religious tourism sector is valued at $18 billion per year and helps fuel the regions current annual tourism growth of 11 per cent.
Three billion people worldwide trace their religious roots and faith to the Middle East and Mr. Wright emphasized that the best possible travel experiences must be developed by travel providers in order to leverage this income.
Immortalized in film in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (and Transformers 2 among others), the ruins at Petra are Jordan's most recognizable landmarks and one of the world's great archaeological remains. The city was founded in the sixth century BC by the Nabateans. The Nabateans were originally a nomadic desert tribe, famous for their ingenuity harnessing the desert's water. P...
With the planting of an English oak tree in 1863, this Botanic Garden was given shape in New Zealand. Today it holds one of the most exotic and rare collection of plant species from within the country as well as abroad. Just the thought of 30 hectare of greenery circled by the Avon River is pleasing and one wants spend a good amount of time exploring this place full of the country’s botanic histor...
This twin-towered fort, which sits atop a gigantic rock, was built in the 1580s when Muscat was occupied by the Portuguese. It served as a bastion to protect the harbor from invaders and also served as a prison for many decades. It is currently a museum showcasing Omani culture, history and heritage. It is not, however, open to the general public. Only foreign dignitaries and heads of state are al...
The Galata Tower was for a long time the tallest building in Istanbul at more than 65m. The Genoese built the circular tower in 1348 as part of their fortifications in Galata, just across the Golden Horn from the heart of Constantinople. It was built in the medieval style, capped with a conical roof. The Ottomans used it as a watchtower to spot fires. The cone on top collapsed in...