Hosted at the National Library of El Salvador (BINAES), the three-day international forum firmly positioned the country as a regional and global reference in promoting tourism based on faith, cultural heritage, institutional cooperation, and sustainable development. Participants highly praised the venue's state-of-the-art facilities, technological infrastructure, modern conference spaces, and outstanding conditions for hosting international professional events.
The Congress brought together 35 speakers representing 21 nationalities, alongside public officials, institutional representatives, tourism professionals, destination managers, heritage experts, members of religious organizations, and media representatives. The combination of in-person and online participation significantly expanded the event's international reach, allowing audiences across the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East to follow the sessions in real time.
The programme featured keynote presentations, roundtable discussions, panel conversations, workshops, cultural performances, and networking sessions. Throughout the Congress, participants examined international case studies, destination management models, public policies, communication strategies, technological innovation, accessibility, heritage conservation, international cooperation, and new opportunities to transform places of faith into sustainable tourism destinations that benefit local communities while generating economic and social development.
Among the distinguished speakers were Adrián Lomello (Argentina), Alejandra Gallego Torre (Colombia), Alfredo Morales Oliva (Dominican Republic), Andrés A. Aramayo Bejarano (Bolivia), Monsignor José Mario Bacci Trespalacios (Colombia), Bernal Díaz (Guatemala), Carlos Dragonné (Mexico), Cristina del Olmo (Spain), Daniel Aguirre (Brazil), Diego Maraña (Spain), and Elias Levy Benarroch (Israel and Europe).
The Congress also welcomed Fabián Rojas (Colombia), Félix Nicanor Mio Sánchez (Peru), Fernando Paquim (Portugal), Hugo Marcos (Portugal), Patricia Ynestroza (Italy), Ildefonso de la Campa Montenegro (Spain), José Manuel Gutiérrez (Spain), Juan Ramón Maduro (Panama), Leonardo Boto (Argentina), Mario R. Maldonado Samayoa (Guatemala), Máximo Jurcinovic (Argentina), Miguel Lopes Neto (Portugal), Noga Sher-Greco (Israel), Paul Beswick (Dominican Republic), Sergio Palma Peniche (Mexico), Vanessa Angulo (Peru), and Yosef Penhos (Israel).
Their contributions were complemented by Martha Jemio Salas (Bolivia), Rodrigo Sosa (El Salvador), and senior public officials and church representatives involved in tourism, culture, communications, and heritage management. The diversity of countries and professional backgrounds provided a multidisciplinary perspective on religious tourism, integrating its spiritual, cultural, economic, social, territorial, and technological dimensions.
Over the course of the three days, participants explored successful experiences from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Spain, Guatemala, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Portugal, and the Dominican Republic, among other countries. They examined internationally recognised destinations and initiatives including Fátima, Luján, the Camino de Santiago, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá, the Basilica of Our Lady of Altagracia in Higüey, the Route of Pope Leo XIV, and numerous pilgrimage destinations and religious heritage sites.
The discussions highlighted the importance of developing public policies that promote the conservation of religious and cultural heritage while fostering effective cooperation between governments, religious institutions, businesses, universities, international organisations, and local communities. Speakers agreed that religious tourism should be planned responsibly to preserve the identity of destinations while delivering shared economic and social benefits for residents.
Communication also occupied a central place throughout the programme. Journalists, institutional communicators, and media specialists examined the role of traditional media, digital platforms, audiovisual production, and social networks in promoting religious destinations. Sessions also explored the growing potential of artificial intelligence and other technological tools to improve destination management, marketing, accessibility, and visitor experiences.
One of the most significant outcomes of the Congress was the unanimous recognition expressed by attendees, speakers, and representatives of international media organisations. They congratulated the Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT) and its World Religious Tourism Network for the outstanding quality of the event's organisation, the high academic standard of its programme, the diversity of its content, and the exceptional opportunity it created for international dialogue and professional collaboration.
Special recognition was also given to the visionary initiative led by the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador, whose commitment made possible the organisation of an international forum of this calibre. Participants praised the Ministry's leadership in promoting religious tourism while strengthening El Salvador's international reputation as a destination distinguished by its cultural heritage, organisational excellence, and hospitality.
The National Library of El Salvador (BINAES) likewise received widespread acclaim. Delegates highlighted the modernity and functionality of its facilities, the quality of its conference spaces, the professionalism of its staff, and its suitability as the venue for a major international congress. Beyond its exceptional infrastructure, BINAES was recognised as a powerful symbol of knowledge, culture, education, and dialogue, providing an inspiring setting for discussions on faith and heritage.
The official closing ceremony brought together representatives of the Government of El Salvador and the Tourism and Society Think Tank, who reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening international cooperation, promoting the exchange of best practices, and developing projects capable of positioning religious tourism as a powerful driver of territorial development, heritage conservation, and sustainable growth.
Antonio Santos del Valle, President of the Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT) and of the World Religious Tourism Network, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism of El Salvador for its vision and leadership in supporting an initiative that successfully brought together experts and institutional representatives from several continents in San Salvador. He also acknowledged the valuable collaboration of the Ministry of Culture, the National Library of El Salvador, and all the institutions whose commitment contributed to the success of the Congress.
Mr. Santos del Valle extended his appreciation to the technical, organisational, and communications teams whose dedication ensured the flawless delivery of both the in-person programme and the online broadcasts. He thanked the speakers for generously sharing their expertise, the participants for their active engagement, the national and international media for providing extensive coverage, and all partner organisations whose collaboration made the event possible.
He emphasised that the Congress demonstrated El Salvador's capacity to host major international events while confirming the growing global importance of religious tourism. In his closing remarks, he stated that the success achieved belonged to every institution and individual who contributed with professionalism, enthusiasm, and a spirit of cooperation. He expressed his confidence that the relationships established during the Congress would evolve into concrete international projects benefiting destinations around the world.
The reading of the Conclusions and the San Salvador Declaration (for further information and to endorse the Manifesto, click here.)marked one of the defining moments of the final day. The document summarised the principal reflections emerging from the Congress and reaffirmed the need to continue strengthening international networks that promote innovation, cooperation, sustainability, and the protection of religious heritage.
The remarkable attendance, extensive online participation, and broad international media coverage significantly enhanced the Congress's global visibility. The event firmly positioned El Salvador at the centre of the international conversation on religious tourism and confirmed the country's growing potential as a premier destination for international congresses, professional meetings, and initiatives dedicated to culture, faith, heritage, and sustainable development.
Recordings of all keynote presentations, roundtables, panel discussions, and institutional sessions from the International Religious Tourism Congress "Land of Living Faith – El Salvador 2026" are available at:
