Event Program

The course is designed to address the particularities of tourism in religious and spiritual destinations, and its capacity to generate significant economic and cultural impact. It is expected to be attended by academics, tourism professionals, destination managers and others interested in the development of this sector. The course agenda includes a series of lectures and panel discussions covering various aspects of religious tourism.

Thursday, July 11

• 09:30 h - Inauguration of the Course

• 10:00 h - Presentation and Objectives of the Course by Eva Guillermina Fernández Ortiz, Minister of Culture, Tourism and Sports of the Government of Cantabria.

• 10:30 h - Design and Creation of a Religious Destination by María Pilar Valdés Arroyo, General Director of the World Network of Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations. Pilar Valdés will share her extensive experience and innovative strategies for the creation and management of religious destinations that attract millions of visitors each year.

• 12:00 h - Camino de Santiago: First European Cultural Itinerary; Brand Image by Ildefonso de la Campa, Director of the Society of Management of the Xacobean Plan.

• 13:00 h - Believing in the Extraordinary: Caravaca de la Cruz 2024 by Juan Francisco Martínez Carrasco, General Director of Tourism of Murcia.

• 16:00 h - The Sagrada Familia: Christian Expiatory Center and Destination of Millions of Tourists of Other Religions by Chiara Curti of the Antonio Gaudí University.

• 17:00 h - Round Table with various experts of the sector.

Friday, July 12th

• 09:30 h - The Pilgrimage Routes: Cultural Itineraries by Juan Mario Crecente Maseda, Architect and Consultant of Crecente Asociados.

• 10:30 h - The Lebaniego Way: Religious Tourism and Local Communities by Pilar Gómez-Bahamonde, Director of the Lebaniego Way Foundation.

• 12:00 h - History of Pilgrimages by José Enrique Ruiz Domènec, Professor of Medieval History at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

• 13:00 h - Social and Economic Impact of Religious Tourism in Spain by Silvia Aulet, Professor at the University of Girona.

Pilar Valdés: a voice of leadership in Religious Tourism

The participation of Pilar Valdés Arroyo is one of the highlights of the event. As Director General of the Global Network of Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations, Valdés has been a key figure in the promotion and development of destinations that offer unique spiritual experiences. Her presentation will focus on strategies for designing and managing religious destinations, stressing the importance of the involvement of local communities and respect for sacred spaces.

Valdés has repeatedly emphasized that religious tourism is not only a source of income, but also an opportunity for the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of intercultural understanding. His intervention at the UIMP summer course promises to offer valuable insights and practical advice for professionals in the sector.

Registration and participation

Registrations for the course are open from April 8, 2024, and places are limited. Those interested can register through the UIMP website. This event is a unique opportunity to learn from experts in the field of religious and spiritual tourism, and to establish connections with other professionals in the sector.

The summer course "Design and Management of Religious Tourism Destinations" at the UIMP promises to be an enriching event, with the outstanding participation of Pilar Valdés Arroyo. Her experience and leadership in the Global Network of Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations will bring an invaluable perspective to attendees, encouraging the development of destinations that not only attract visitors, but also respect and value their cultural and spiritual heritage.