Hungary launches a new era of pilgrimage tourism

30-05-25

On May 28, 2025, Hungary took a decisive step toward strengthening pilgrimage tourism with the celebration of the First Pilgrimage Tourism Partners Meeting. The event, held at the Ward Mária School in Budapest, marked the beginning of a comprehensive national and international outreach strategy and brought together government representatives, religious organizations, academics, and cultural institutions. It was organized by the Pilgrimage Center, inaugurated in the heart of Budapest at the end of 2024.

During the opening ceremony, Lőrinc Nacsa, State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office, highlighted the importance of the Pilgrimage Center as a strategic hub that will combine coordination, training, and spiritual guidance. Far from being an isolated initiative, the center is conceived as a living and transformative experience. Nacsa emphasized that the goal is to expand access to pilgrimage beyond traditional profiles, to include new generations of spiritual seekers.

Szabolcs Szontágh, Secretary General of the National Council for Religious Tourism, advocated for a deeper and more committed vision of pilgrimage. He stated that it is not merely a physical activity or an economic benefit, but rather a community-based and experiential journey. According to him, the new center will help unite the many actors in the sector, with the ambition of positioning Hungary as a regional reference in this field.

Péter Gadácsi, co-coordinator of the Pilgrimage Center, addressed one of the main challenges: the fragmentation of knowledge and the lack of integration between disciplines. He pointed to the evolution of the modern pilgrim's profile toward the “neo-tourist”: someone who, without necessarily identifying as religious, finds in pilgrimage a path for introspection and personal growth.

From a more innovative perspective, Dr. Gábor Bódis (Founding Member of the World Religious Tourism Network), head of the Hungary NEXT tourism design lab, emphasized the role of design thinking as a tool to transform pilgrimage into a rich, sustainable, and meaningful emotional experience. He recalled that Hungary was the first European country to establish a National Coordination of the World Religious Tourism Network (WRTN). He also introduced Jan Kiss, painter of the Hungary Next brand, reflecting the cultural and visual dimension of the sacred journey.

Dr. András József Molnár, also co-coordinator of the Center and Founding Member of the WRTN, presented the main initiatives linked to the Viatorum Pilgrimage Workshop. Among them, he highlighted the Pilgrimage Academy, which will celebrate its fifth edition in 2026, along with Monthly Forums, Soul Walks, and a digital platform that will allow users to search for routes based on themes and personal motivations. He concluded his speech with a biblical quote that captured the spirit of the gathering: “Blessed are those who set out on the path in You.”

One of the most anticipated moments of the event was the presentation of emblematic pilgrimage routes and centers in Hungary. Among the participating entities were Via-Margaritarum, the Hungarian Pilgrimage Route, the Santiago Association, Pannon Pilgrim, the Pilgrimage Center of the Pannonhalma Archabbey, the Mary Route, the Via Partium Association, and the Pilgrimage Center of the Servant of God, among others.

In the thematic workshops, three key areas were addressed: information, collaboration, and development planning. The shared vision among all participants was to build a connected, scalable pilgrimage network centered on the traveler’s experience—not only within Hungary but on an international scale.

The participation of the World Religious Tourism Network and its Hungarian partners made it clear that pilgrimage tourism can be a powerful tool for spiritual and cultural enrichment. This initiative benefits not only pilgrims and travelers, but also local communities, churches, and public authorities.

With this meeting, Hungary not only positions itself on the map of religious tourism—it sets itself on the path toward a future where pilgrimage is, more than ever, a profound experience.

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