Keynote speakers at the congress will include Antonio Santos del Valle, president of the Tourism and Society Think Tank, and Pilar Valdés, Director General of the World Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations Network (WRSTDN). Antonio Santos del Valle is an international consultant in religious tourism with extensive experience in creating strategies for the promotion of spiritual destinations. Pilar Valdés is a key figure in the creation of strategic alliances between religious and spiritual destinations, contributing her vision to promote tourism that respects local traditions and is economically viable.
In addition, the congress will feature the participation of Pilar Gómez Bahamonde, manager of the Camino Lebaniego Foundation in Spain, who will share her experience in the management of pilgrimage routes. Also participating will be Santiago Cano, president of REDITUR (International Network of Agencies Specializing in Religious Tourism), who will speak about the challenges and opportunities facing this segment from the perspective of tour operators. Father Horacio Hernández de la Torre, executive secretary of the Tourism Pastoral of the Mexican Episcopal Conference, will provide his vision from the clergy on the impact of religious tourism on local communities.
The congress is aimed at tour operators, tour guides, hoteliers and other key players in the sector, who will benefit from presentations and workshops on the creation of religious tourism products. These products, based on Guatemala's rich cultural and spiritual heritage, will offer experiences that will attract both international and local tourists. In addition, the event will provide tools for training professionals in the sector, helping them to design tourism experiences that respect local traditions and promote economic growth.
A central aspect of the congress is the promotion of sustainable religious tourism. Religious tourism has the potential to be a driver of sustainable development, as it promotes a more leisurely type of tourism that respects the natural and cultural environment. During the event, strategies for integrating sustainability into Guatemala's religious tourism products will be discussed, ensuring that tourism growth not only benefits local communities, but also contributes to the preservation of sacred sites and the natural environment.
The congress will also be a platform to promote interfaith dialogue, a fundamental aspect of religious tourism. Guatemala, with its cultural and religious diversity, offers an ideal setting to discuss how tourism can contribute to respect and cooperation among different faiths. The event will allow attendees to reflect on how spiritual tourism can be a tool to foster peace and understanding between different communities.
The World Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations Network plays a key role in this congress. The network promotes collaboration among religious destinations around the world and fosters the exchange of ideas and best practices for the development of innovative and sustainable tourism products. Its support for Guatemala in this event reinforces the country's role as an emerging destination in the field of religious tourism.
In summary, the I Religious and Spiritual Tourism Congress will be a crucial event for the development of religious tourism in Guatemala. With the support of the World Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations Network (WRSTDN) and the participation of leading international experts, the congress will provide a platform for training, the exchange of ideas and the promotion of sustainable tourism, contributing to the economic growth of the country and the preservation of its rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
For further information: religi_destin@tourismandsocietytt.com
