The congress was attended by key figures in the field of religious tourism. Pilar Valdés, Director General of the Global Network of Religious and Spiritual Tourism Destinations, stressed the importance of creating tourism products that integrate local communities. Her focus on the international promotion of religious tourism was complemented by Pilar Gómez, Manager of the Camino Lebaniego Foundation, who presented the success story in Spain of how the management of religious and natural resources can benefit rural communities.
Horacio Hernández de la Torre, Secretary of the Mexican Episcopate's tourism ministry, highlighted the preservation of tangible and intangible religious heritage. His intervention underscored how collaboration between religious and tourism institutions can offer authentic and meaningful experiences for pilgrims.
Santiago Cano, President of the International Network of Agencies Specializing in Religious Tourism, highlighted the role of tourism agencies in the marketing of religious products. Cano emphasized the importance of adapting services to the spiritual expectations of tourists.
Ildefonso de la Campa, Director of the Management Society “El Plan Xacobeo”, connected virtually from Spain to share the experience of the Camino de Santiago as a model for rural development in Galicia, highlighting how pilgrimage routes can attract investment and improve local infrastructure.
Guatemala, with its rich cultural and spiritual heritage, presents itself as an ideal destination for religious tourism. Celebrations such as Holy Week and the devotion to the Black Christ of Esquipulas attract pilgrims and tourists interested in spirituality. The congress sought to highlight this type of tourism as a tool to diversify the tourism offer and develop new economic opportunities, especially in rural areas.
In this sense, Edwin Rodolfo García García, chronicler of the brotherhood of the Señor Sepultado de Santo Domingo, highlighted the importance of religious events such as the Santo Entierro de Santo Domingo, a key tradition for Guatemalan cultural identity that has enormous potential to attract international tourism.
The Congress underscored the relevance of religious tourism not only as an economic engine, but also as a tool to promote peaceful coexistence and cultural understanding between communities. The speakers agreed that pilgrimage routes and religious events can strengthen local and rural development, especially in less favored areas.
They stressed the need for close collaboration between the public and private sectors to develop sustainable tourism products, and the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible heritage, such as churches, monuments and religious traditions.
Marketing strategies, according to Estela Rosales, Director of Tessa Tour, should focus on the cultural and spiritual value of destinations, rather than just promoting their tourist attractiveness. This can attract specific niche markets, such as pilgrims and religious scholars.
Antonio Santos del Valle, President of the Tourism and Society Think Tank, stressed that religious tourism can be a key factor for Guatemala's economic and social development. He stressed the need for a strategic country plan that includes religious tourism as a tool to enhance the tourism offer, ensuring that local communities are the protagonists of development.
The Congress concluded with the commitment of the participants to continue working together to promote sustainable and responsible tourism in Guatemala. Collaboration between local communities, the public sector and private companies is essential to consolidate Guatemala as a key destination for religious tourism worldwide.
This event has not only put Guatemala on the spiritual tourism map, but has also laid the groundwork for the country to continue developing its enormous potential in this sector, ensuring that tourism growth is equitable and beneficial for all regions involved.
