Religious Tourism advances in Chile
29-03-25
With the support of the public sector, the Catholic Church and entrepreneurs, the World Network will hold a National Congress on Religious Tourism in Curicó.
Religious tourism is taking a decisive step forward in Chile thanks to the articulation between the public sector, the Catholic Church and the business sector. In this context, the World Religious Tourism Network (WRTN) announced the holding of a National Congress of Religious Tourism in the city of Curicó, scheduled for the end of October. This unprecedented event aims to make visible the relevance of faith-based tourism and its impact on the territorial, cultural and economic development of the country.
The announcement follows the recent visit of the Territorial Director for the Americas of the WRTN, Lic. Adrián Lomello, who travelled to Chile to carry out an intense work agenda together with the national coordinator of the Network, Juan Jorquera. The activities included key meetings in Santiago with governmental and ecclesiastical authorities, consolidating the first agreements for the strengthening of religious tourism in Chile.
One of the most important meetings was with the Chilean Undersecretary of Tourism, Verónica Pardo, and her team, in the offices of the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism. During the meeting, the representatives of the WRTN presented the main objectives of the Network and stressed the need to give visibility to faith-based tourism as a tool for the integral development of the territories. Undersecretary Pardo valued the proposal and pledged to incorporate this approach into the national tourism agenda.
‘It seems fundamental to us that religious tourism should be an active part of tourism planning in Chile, considering its capacity for mobilisation, its link with heritage and its economic impact,’ she said. She also extended an invitation to Juan Jorquera to present the project at the next national meeting of mayors of tourist cities, which represents a key step for its territorial implementation.
Dialogue with the Church was also a central part of this mission. Lomello and Jorquera were received by the Secretary of the Pastoral Ministry of the Chilean Episcopal Conference, Father Heriberto Cabrera, at the headquarters of the Catholic University of San Joaquín. At the meeting, they shared figures and information that highlight the magnitude of religious tourism in the country: more than five million people participate annually in pilgrimages and religious festivities throughout Chile.
‘Religious tourism is not only an expression of faith, but also an opportunity to strengthen our communities, preserve our traditions and open spaces of encounter,’ said Father Cabrera, who confirmed the Church's active support for the Curicó congress.
Congress in Curicó: a national event for faith-based tourism
The World Religious Tourism Network is already working on the planning of the National Congress, which will bring together representatives of the public sector, church authorities, tourism entrepreneurs, travel agencies and developers of religious experiences. The event will take place in Curicó, a city with strong religious traditions and a strategic location to bring together actors from all over the country.
The congress will seek to make visible the movement of pilgrims who each year visit churches, shrines and routes of faith in Chile. It will also feature presentations by national and international specialists who will address issues such as the planning of religious tourism destinations, the role of host communities, the sustainability of faith routes and international promotion strategies.
‘Religious tourism is a real opportunity to diversify Chile's tourism offer, decentralise development and highlight our cultural and spiritual roots,’ said Adrián Lomello, stressing that the joint work between the State, the Church and the private sector is key to the success of this initiative.
A symbol that unites: the Lady of Carmen
As a symbolic gesture, both Undersecretary Verónica Pardo and Father Heriberto Cabrera received an image of the Lady of Carmen, Queen of Chile, patron saint of the country and central figure of Chilean popular devotion. ‘We can say that thanks to her we received the support of the government and the Church to move forward with this national congress,’ said an emotional Jorquera.
The Curicó Congress will mark a milestone in the consolidation of religious tourism in Chile and will open new opportunities to integrate faith, culture and development. The official date of the event will be announced in the coming days.
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