This concept resonates strongly with the principles of slow tourism, which prizes depth of experience over speed and volume. Walking along pilgrimage trails encourages meaningful engagement: travelers can immerse themselves in local culture, savor regional gastronomy, and take time for personal reflection. The flexibility and customization offered by these routes align perfectly with modern travelers’ growing desire for authentic, transformative journeys that combine adventure, spirituality, and discovery. Rather than rushing through checklists of attractions, visitors are invited to forge emotional connections with landscapes, communities, and traditions, creating memories that endure beyond the trip itself.
However, as Dr. Rátz and Dr. Szalai emphasized, the success of such initiatives depends on broad-based collaboration. The creation and maintenance of pilgrimage networks require coordinated efforts among local communities, religious institutions, cultural heritage managers, and tourism stakeholders. Shared goals, transparent communication, and cooperative management ensure that these routes remain sustainable and beneficial to all involved, from residents to small businesses and regional authorities. Such partnerships also help protect fragile ecosystems and safeguard historic sites from the unintended consequences of increased foot traffic.
The presentation also offered a compelling case study: the researchers’ ongoing project to develop a pilgrimage route dedicated to Saint Ladislaus I of Hungary (c. 1040–1095) within the Carpathian Basin. Known as a revered medieval king and saint, Saint Ladislaus left a rich cultural and religious legacy across Central Europe. The project involves creating a detailed inventory of sites connected to his life and cult, mapping potential connections with existing hiking trails, and conducting in-depth interviews with local stakeholders, from municipal leaders to heritage custodians. Field observations provide additional insights into how these routes could integrate with contemporary tourism infrastructure while preserving their spiritual and historical essence.
Looking to the future, Dr. Rátz and Dr. Szalai envision building an international network of scholars, practitioners, and community leaders across the Carpathian Basin. This collaborative platform would not only deepen understanding of Saint Ladislaus’s heritage but also serve as a model for cross-border pilgrimage and cultural tourism development. By uniting diverse actors around a shared historical figure and landscape, the initiative aims to enhance regional cohesion, stimulate sustainable economic growth, and promote cultural dialogue.
The discussion at the EUGEO Congress underscored how pilgrimage tourism, when reinterpreted for the 21st century, can become a dynamic driver of responsible mobility. It is an approach that transcends religious practice to embrace environmental stewardship, cultural appreciation, and community empowerment. In a Europe grappling with the dual pressures of mass tourism and climate change, such visionary projects illustrate how the wisdom of tradition can illuminate pathways to a more balanced and meaningful future of travel.
