The XVI Argentinean Meeting of Religious Tourism concluded in Lujan

03-07-23

With the integral realization of EMPRESUR, Emprendimientos Turísticos del Mercosur, culminated in the city of Luján, province of Buenos Aires, the sixteenth edition of the Argentinean Meeting of Religious Tourism, the only thematic event worldwide that has been held without interruption since its origin in 2009.

During two days, the active participation of representatives from thirteen Argentinean provinces was highlighted, both in the conferences and in the programmed visits to the most significant sites of the city of Luján, its basilica and museums.  

Among the topics discussed, real cases were presented from the provinces of Córdoba, Salta, Entre Ríos, Buenos Aires, Santa Fe, Catamarca, Santiago del Estero and the autonomous city of Buenos Aires. In addition to the national proposal of the Argentine Network of Intelligent Tourist Destinations. 

The Trinidad Guevara theatre hall was attended by businessmen, researchers, civil servants, teachers, journalists and students from all the tourist regions of the country.  

The event was attended by the Mayor of Luján, Mr. Leonardo Boto and the Rector of the Basilica of Luján, Father Lucas García.

As authorities of entities and institutions of the sector, coming from other parts of the country, were present in the hall of the Municipal Theatre: Dr. Horacio Pedrone, director of the Cordoba Tourism Agency; Ms. Inés Galíndez, Secretary of Tourism and Economic Development of the Municipality of San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca; Mr. Fernando García Soria, Secretary of Culture and Tourism of the city of Salta; the Secretary of Tourism of Villa Cura Brochero, Prof. Ignacio Vega; Ms. Gabriela Escobar of INPROTUR; Mr. Mario Wisner, representative of FEHGRA; Dr. Mario Wisner, representative of FEHGRA; Dr. Ignacio Vega; Ms. Gabriela Escobar of INPROTUR; Mr. Mario Wisner, representative of FEHGRA. Ignacio Vega; Ms. Gabriela Escobar from INPROTUR; Mr. Mario Wisner, representative of FEHGRA; Dr. Horacio Lanatti, president of FEHGRA. Horacio Lanatti, president of the Argentinean Commission of Religious Tourism, dependent on FAEVYT; Mr. Darío Equisito, director of Tourist Products of the Undersecretary of Tourism of the province of Buenos Aires; Mr. Rubén Valdés, president of the Mama Antula Foundation of Santiago del Estero and Segundo Vercellone, president of the Ceferino Namuncurá Foundation, from Chimpay, province of Río Negro. 

From the academic field, the presence and participation of Mr. Walter Panessi, Rector of the National University of Luján, accompanied by teachers, graduates and students, was highlighted.

The event was sponsored by Córdoba, as "Guest Province".

For the first time, realities of other countries were presented as special cases to get to know and generate links with significant sites in Argentina. 

With this in mind, two conferences were held with the Sanctuary of Guadalupe in Mexico, with information on its current institutional and tourist situation.    

On the other hand, the "Twinning between the Way of St. James and the Way of Brochero" was presented, with the participation of Mr. Ildefonso de la Campa, Director of Administration and Relations with the Associations of Friends of the Way of St. James. 

The Argentinean Meeting of Religious Tourism was the appropriate framework for the international presentation of the "Religious Credential" designed to facilitate digital accreditation on pilgrimage routes, anywhere in the world.  

In terms of innovation, a Gastronomy panel was presented, linked to the religion of foreign tourists visiting Argentina. With this in mind, the main characteristics of Kosher and Halal food were presented, based on the needs of the consumer and with indicative guidelines for the adequate provision of the service.

Another topic that aroused great interest was the Basilica of Luján and the variety of services it has to offer to Pilgrims and Visitors, including the traditional Guided Tour; the ascent to the bell towers to enjoy a wonderful panoramic view; the possibility of visiting the cloister; and a "Premium" visit to the Choir of the church, where there is a centenary organ. 

The Basilica of Lujan has a staff of professional guides, ready to welcome visitors every day of the year and accompany them on the tour of the Crypt Museum, with rooms of great heritage value. 

With reference to the varied museographic proposal offered by the city of Luján, its civil and ecclesiastical authorities announced that they are actively working on the organisation of a new proposal, the future "Museum of Devotions". 

With the purpose of contributing to document one of the traditional devotions to the Virgin of Luján, such as the "Gaucho Pilgrimage", with more than seventy years of history, Prof. Santiago Cano, creator of the Argentinean Encounter of Religious Tourism, made a very significant donation. 

He gave the authorities an embroidered handkerchief and the riding boots used by his grandfather, Don Homero Pedro Altube, as a member of the traditionalist centre "El Rodeo" to go on horseback to the Basilica. 

At the end of the Sixteenth Argentinean Meeting of Religious Tourism, its director, Professor Gustavo Loza, announced that the next venue to host the event will be Villa Cura Brochero, in the Traslasierra Valley, province of Cordoba.

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