Lithuania, guest destination of IWRT 2026

Lithuania, guest destination of IWRT 2026

03-12-25

Lithuania has been officially announced as the Guest Destination of the 13th edition of the International Workshops on Religious Tourism (IWRT) 2026, a recognition that highlights its growing international visibility as a reference in religious tourism, spirituality, and faith heritage. The announcement was made by the President of ACISO, Pedro Mafra, during the online conference “Caminhos de Fátima,” held on November 24 as part of an initiative by Turismo de Portugal in cooperation with several partner entities.

IWRT 2026 will be held on February 19 and 20 in Fátima and on February 23 in Guarda, two cities that play a central role in promoting spiritual tourism in Portugal. In this context, it is especially noteworthy that Fátima is an active member of the World Religious Tourism Network, a program promoted by the Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT) to strengthen international cooperation among faith-based destinations and foster global strategies for exchange, training, and joint promotion. Its membership in this network reaffirms the Sanctuary’s and the city’s commitment to the development and international projection of religious tourism, as well as to building strategic alliances with countries such as Lithuania, which will have a leading role in the 2026 edition.

The official presentation of Lithuania during the opening session of the IWRT, to be held at the Paul VI Pastoral Center in the Sanctuary of Fátima, will gather institutional authorities, Church representatives, tour operators, and media from several countries. Over the years, this venue has become a key meeting point for analyzing trends, sharing best practices, and strengthening cooperation among destinations with a strong spiritual profile.

The decision to choose Lithuania responds to its long-standing tradition of faith, expressed in its religious architecture, pilgrimage routes, festivals, and a deeply rooted spiritual identity. Known as the “Land of Hope, Mercy and Living Faith”, Lithuania offers visitors natural landscapes, authentic culture, and a unique spiritual legacy. For its participation in IWRT 2026, the country will be represented by members of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, the national tourism agency Lithuania Travel, Go Vilnius, the Archdioceses of Vilnius and Kaunas, the Municipality of Raseiniai, and other strategic partners, clearly demonstrating the strong institutional commitment to strengthening religious tourism as an international product.

The Deputy Minister of Economy and Innovation, Guoda Burokienė, stresses that this invitation is “a unique opportunity to showcase the country’s tourism potential, promote the development of religious tourism, and boost international interest in its sacred sites.” Meanwhile, Lithuania Travel’s CEO, Olga Gončarova, points out that the country receives around 1.5 million international tourists each year and that reinforcing spiritual tourism could significantly help increase these numbers. “Our country is recognized for its authentic culture, landscapes, wellness offerings, and gastronomy. Now we are ready to share our religious tradition with the world,” she says.

Among the most emblematic spiritual sites in Lithuania are Šiluva, associated with one of the oldest Marian apparitions in Europe; the impressive Hill of Crosses, with more than 200,000 symbols of faith placed there over a period of 150 years; the Shrine of Divine Mercy in Vilnius, which houses the first image of Divine Mercy created according to the visions of Saint Faustina; the Gate of Dawn, with its revered icon of the Mother of Mercy; and the Pažaislis Monastery, considered a baroque masterpiece in Europe. All these sites are integrated into major pilgrimage routes such as the Way of Saint John Paul II, the Lithuanian Way, the St. James Way in its Baltic section, the Way of Grace, and the Way of Mercy.

This rich heritage is complemented by centuries-old religious celebrations, including the Šilinės solemnity in Šiluva, Mercy Week in Vilnius, the Feast of the Visitation in Samogitia, and the Feast of the Assumption in Pivašiūnai. Every year, these festivities attract thousands of pilgrims seeking spirituality and authentic cultural expressions.

Lithuania’s international prominence will be further reinforced in 2026 when Vilnius hosts the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy (WACOM6) from June 7 to 12. This global event will bring together thousands of pilgrims, religious leaders, and experts from all over the world, positioning the country as a global center of spiritual tourism and devotion to Divine Mercy.

Since IWRT introduced the concept of a Guest Destination in 2019, countries and destinations such as Israel, Hungary, Rio de Janeiro, Jordan, Paraguay, and Portugal have received this distinction. The choice of Lithuania for 2026 confirms the international vocation of the event and its mission to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among destinations whose main hallmarks are faith, spirituality, and religious heritage.

Contacts:

IWRT Secretariat: info@iwrt.pt ; info@dina.com.pt

PR Department of the Ministry of Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania: info@eimin.lt

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