Interview with Gustavo Andrés Loza
Argentina Coordinator
Gustavo Andrés Loza
Argentina Coordinator
Gustavo Andrés Loza, a professional journalist, graduated from the Obispo Trejo y Sanabria University School of Journalism in 1986. He is currently Director of EMPRESUR and Coordinator of the World Network of Religious Tourism Destinations in Argentina, in addition to being Press Secretary of the Archbishopric of Córdoba since 2001. In the academic field, he is Director of the Diploma in Religious Tourism in collaboration with the Blas Pascal University and the Cordoba Tourism Agency, and holder of several professorships at the Obispo Trejo y Sanabria University College of Journalism and the Blas Pascal University.
Loza has participated in the organization of several international religious tourism events and has been a speaker at multiple congresses in Latin America and Europe. Previously, he worked as an advisor at the National Ministry of Tourism and as a director and consultant in several institutions, including Radio María Argentina, the newspaper Reporte 15 Minutos and the Finochietto Private Clinic. His experience encompasses management, institutional communication and event organization.
Could you describe your role and perspective as national coordinator in the World Network of Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations?
To be a link between the different actors of Religious Tourism in Argentina, to facilitate the development processes of different projects to be carried out in the country, to disseminate the different manifestations that make Religious Tourism whether tangible or intangible, to discover and promote new destinations of Religious Tourism throughout Argentina, to facilitate the realization of events related to the subject, to develop training programs to enhance Religious Tourism both in Argentina and in Latin America.
What do you consider to be the importance of religious and spiritual tourism in your country?
The importance of Religious Tourism in Argentina lies in the religious cultural heritage that we find in all its regions, in some the Jesuit legacy stands out, in others the Franciscan or Salesian, in the northern region there is a rich religious tradition brought in the first instance by the Spaniards and then enriched by the different immigration currents.
The interreligious dialogue is another aspect that stands out and that has as an example the first interreligious circuit of America and possibly of the world, which takes place in Cordoba, in the center of the Republic. The various invocations to the Virgin Mary and to different saints make popular religious manifestations a very important way of popular religiosity.
What are some of the most popular destinations in your country for religious and spiritual tourism and why do they attract so many visitors?
The most important destinations are several, among the best known we can mention those that have to do with the Jesuit legacy in Misiones, the various missions and in Cordoba the Jesuit Estancias, heritage that is still standing and can be seen as they were 400 years ago.
Other important destinations are:
Luján where the Sanctuary of the Patron Saint of Argentina, Our Lady of Luján, is located.
San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca, where the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Valley, patron saint of Argentine tourism, is located.
Sanctuary of Our Lady of Itatí, in the province of Corrientes.
Sanctuary of San José Gabriel Brochero, first Argentinean saint, in the province of Córdoba.
Saint Mama Antula, first Argentinean saint, in the province of Santiago del Estero.
Junín de los Andes, in the province of Neuquén, where the Via Cristi theme park is located.
Sanctuary of Laura Vicuña and Ceferino Namuncurá, in the province of Salta we find the sanctuary of the Lord and Virgin of the Miracle.
Our Lady of the Miracle of San Nicolás in the province of Buenos Aires.
and other destinations and attractions of religious tourism found in almost all the provinces of Argentina.
Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Church of the Capuchins). City of Cordoba (Argentina)
How does religious and spiritual tourism impact the local economy?
Religious tourism has a very favorable impact on the economy of the different destinations since it favors local development and the progress of the communities, even if it is only one holiday a year, it is awaited with great expectation.
What are the main challenges facing religious and spiritual tourism in your country?
I believe that today the great challenge is to organize the offer from a tourism perspective with a greater participation of the private sector in order to attract more visitors, both foreign and domestic.
What measures are being taken to ensure that religious tourism is sustainable and respects both local communities and the environment?
Being a relatively recently developed product, all the necessary measures are being taken to make it sustainable.
How do you think religious and spiritual tourism is evolving in terms of new technologies or innovative practices?
A recent example is the Technological Interpretation Center Camino de Brochero located next to the Cathedral of Cordoba, the use of mapping is already a common technology, as well as holograms.
Could you highlight any important event or festivity related to religious tourism in your country?
The most important ones in terms of the number of people attending are the festivity of Our Lady of Luján in Luján, the Lord and Virgin of the Miracle in Salta, Our Lady of the Miracle of San Nicolás in the city of the same name and Holy Week in most of the country. In addition, it is important to highlight that in Argentina the Argentinean Meeting of Religious Tourism has been held uninterruptedly since 2009, this event takes place in different destinations of the country every year. Another event that has been held on several occasions is the International Congress on Religious and Sustainable Tourism and the International Conference on Sanctuaries and Religious Tourism.
Monument to Cura Brochero in the Plaza Centenario of Villa Cura Brochero
Is there any personal experience or story you can share that illustrates the impact of religious or spiritual tourism?
I have many personal experiences that have to do with religious tourism and that can be synthesized in what I have experienced in each festival or devotional celebration where the spirit is nourished and overflows with God. Religious tourism offers the most profound experience that any other tourist experience can offer. Professionally, I can also highlight the participation in the signing of the agreement of the binational circuit of the blessed between Chile and Argentina that took place in the city of Junín de los Andes in the framework of the International Congress of Religious and Sustainable Tourism in 2012.
Another important experience is being a founding member of the Argentine Commission of Religious Tourism in 2010. The participation as guest lecturer in different countries, Brazil, Uruguay, Honduras, Bolivia, Spain, on two occasions and Portugal. Representing Argentina in different international fairs such as Jost Fest in Italy and Expocatólica in Brazil.
How do you collaborate with other international delegates to promote religious and spiritual tourism?
Periodic contact allows for the transfer of experiences and knowledge that help everyone. As a result of the work of the last 15 years I have had the opportunity to meet most of the religious tourism referents of America with whom I maintain contact and from other parts of the world, which enriches the possibility of learning permanently and contributing with the acquired experience.
What is your vision for the development of religious and spiritual tourism in your country?
I imagine a developed religious tourism with an endless offer that shows the valuable tangible and intangible heritage that characterizes us as a spiritual people.
What message would you like to send to those who are considering visiting religious and spiritual sites in your country?
That they come with an open heart and predisposed to receive an infinity of grace and knowledge that gives the beauty of our heritage and the cordiality and generosity of the Argentine people.
The authors are responsible for the choice and presentation of the facts contained in this document and for the opinions expressed therein, which are not necessarily those of Tourism and Society Think Tank and do not commit the Organization, and should not be attributed to TSTT or its members.
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