Boyacá (Colombia) joins the World Religious Tourism Network

14-09-25

The Government of Boyacá has officially announced its membership in the World Religious Tourism Network, a program of the Tourism and Society Think Tank that promotes international cooperation around faith and spiritual tourism. This incorporation is of strategic importance within the framework of the First Congress on Religious Tourism – Jubilee Year 2025 – Colombia, which will take place from November 16 to 24 under the theme “Tourism and Development: Evangelization and Peace in the Territories.”

The Jubilee in the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years as an event of spiritual renewal, will mark in 2025 a time of deep reflection on faith, forgiveness, and hope in a world undergoing transformations and global challenges. In this context, the itinerant congress stands as a platform that unites tourism and evangelization with the aim of fostering peace and reconciliation in regions historically affected by violence, while strengthening Colombia’s projection as an international benchmark in religious tourism.

The opening of this congress will be held in Boyacá, between November 17 and 20, with a journey through Chiquinquirá, Tunja, Sáchica, and Villa de Leiva, emblematic cities that embody the cultural, heritage, and spiritual richness of this department. In addition, the national itinerary will include Cartagena de Indias and Guadalajara de Buga, but Boyacá will be the epicenter of the inauguration and the setting where the encounter acquires a profoundly symbolic character.

Chiquinquirá, the capital of Marian tourism in Colombia, will be one of the central venues. The city is home to the National Marian Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá, patroness of Colombia, and is a constant pilgrimage destination for millions of faithful. Its presence in the congress agenda reinforces the vocation of this municipality as the spiritual heart of the country and places it on the map of the great Marian sanctuaries of the world. The Jubilee Year 2025 will undoubtedly be a moment of special projection for Chiquinquirá, reaffirming its religious and cultural identity in harmony with peace and hope.

The city of Tunja, the capital of Boyacá, adds a historical and cultural dimension to the itinerary. Founded in the 16th century, its historic center preserves churches, convents, and colonial monuments that make it a key setting for the memory of evangelization in the Colombian Andes. Tunja will also serve as the academic and debate hub, hosting forums where tourism experts, religious leaders, and international authorities will address the challenges of combining tourism and spirituality as drivers of sustainable development and reconciliation.

Sáchica, known for its live representations of Holy Week and its tradition of popular religious celebrations, will showcase how expressions of faith and local culture are integral to the identity of its people and how they can become sustainable tourist attractions. This municipality represents the power of community traditions as generators of social cohesion and economic opportunities, while attracting visitors seeking authentic experiences deeply rooted in popular devotion.

Villa de Leiva, a colonial gem declared a National Monument, will contribute to the congress with an unmatched setting of contemplation and heritage beauty. Its Plaza Mayor, one of the largest in the Americas, and its cobblestone streets surrounded by temples, convents, and museums make this town a symbol of Colombia’s living history. Renowned for religious festivities such as Corpus Christi and the solemnity of its Holy Week processions, Villa de Leyva offers an ideal space for spiritual and cultural encounters. During the Jubilee Year 2025, its participation will reinforce the vision of tourism that integrates colonial heritage, the surrounding nature, and faith-based experiences, projecting it as a destination of peace, meditation, and dialogue among cultures.

The Religious Tourism Congress – Jubilee Year 2025 will bring together speakers, authorities, community religious leaders, academics, journalists, and representatives of international organizations. Colombia will become the global center for reflection on the relationship between faith, tourism, and territorial development. The itinerant nature of the event not only showcases the country’s cultural and spiritual diversity but also strengthens Colombia’s image as a destination of peace, reconciliation, and hospitality.

The Government of Boyacá’s membership in the World Religious Tourism Network is a fundamental step in consolidating religious tourism as a strategic axis of regional development. This international network, promoted by the Tourism and Society Think Tank, connects destinations worldwide through cooperation, research, and the promotion of religious tourism. With this incorporation, Boyacá opens the door to the exchange of experiences and knowledge that strengthen its global positioning and offer new opportunities to showcase its religious, cultural, and natural heritage.

In a global context where journeys in search of spirituality, faith, and reconciliation are gaining increasing relevance, Boyacá emerges as a privileged host territory, capable of offering authentic experiences that combine tradition, faith, and sustainable development. Chiquinquirá, Tunja, and Sáchica will not only welcome the pilgrims and visitors of the 2025 Jubilee but will also demonstrate to the world the value of their spiritual heritage as a bridge toward a future of hope and peace.

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