The official opening ceremony will feature senior representatives of the Government of El Salvador, alongside leaders from the World Religious Tourism Network and the Tourism and Society Think Tank, the organizations behind the congress. Their shared objective is to foster knowledge exchange, strengthen international cooperation, and develop strategies that enhance faith destinations around the world.
The congress will welcome distinguished international speakers who will address key topics including the management of religious destinations, heritage conservation, technological innovation in tourism, specialized communication, sustainability, and the economic impact of religious tourism. Their presentations will provide a comprehensive perspective on the opportunities this growing sector offers to countries with rich spiritual, historical, and cultural traditions.
Participants include renowned specialists from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, and Spain, who will present case studies from some of the world's leading religious destinations. These include shrine cities, pilgrimage routes, historic centers, and internationally recognized sacred sites. The diversity of perspectives will offer valuable insights into successful management models and best practices that can be adapted to strengthen faith-based tourism in different regions.
The program features keynote addresses, panel discussions, roundtables, specialized workshops, networking sessions, and cultural performances designed to enrich the experience of participants. Topics include governance of religious destinations, international cooperation, Church communication in the digital age, the role of social media, tourism accessibility, religious heritage as a driver of territorial development, and the integration of new technologies to enhance the competitiveness of this tourism segment.
One of the congress's defining features will be the exchange of knowledge among government representatives, religious institutions, international organizations, researchers, and destination managers. Together, they will discuss public policies, successful initiatives, and collaborative mechanisms aimed at strengthening religious tourism as a tool for stimulating local economies, preserving cultural identity, and promoting intercultural dialogue.
The congress will also provide a platform for presenting internationally recognized success stories from destinations such as Fátima, Luján, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, the Camino de Santiago (Xacobeo), the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia, as well as innovative initiatives developed in Israel, Peru, Guatemala, Colombia, Bolivia, and other countries that have successfully integrated religious and spiritual heritage into sustainable tourism development.
The academic dimension of the event will also play a significant role. Registered participants will have the opportunity to earn a certification endorsed by Florida Global University, reinforcing the congress's educational mission while supporting the professional development of individuals engaged in the planning, promotion, and management of religious tourism destinations.
As part of the official program, internationally acclaimed musician Rodrigo Sosa, known artistically as "La Quenística," will perform a series of concerts. His unique artistic proposal blends spirituality, cultural tradition, and contemporary musical expression, offering participants a memorable cultural experience while reinforcing the congress's message of intercultural understanding through the universal language of music.
The congress will conclude on July 10 with the presentation of its official conclusions and the Declaration of San Salvador, a document that will summarize the principal reflections, commitments, and recommendations emerging from the three-day gathering. The closing ceremony, attended by national authorities and representatives of the international organizations behind the event, will further establish El Salvador as the host of one of the world's most significant religious tourism gatherings, reaffirming the country's commitment to a development model that brings together heritage, culture, spirituality, innovation, and international cooperation.
