The agreement was developed within a strategic framework aimed at positioning Basilicata as one of Europe’s leading destinations for religious and spiritual tourism. The World Religious Tourism Network, coordinated in Europe by Edit Székely, is currently active in 18 countries and continues to expand internationally with the recent inclusion of Mexico, Peru, and Guatemala. At the same time, Israel and the Holy Land have also begun their accession process, confirming the organization’s growing influence in the global religious tourism landscape.
The increasing importance of the Network is further demonstrated by its collaboration with the Italian Association of Religious Hospitality, one of the country’s leading organizations dedicated to spiritual and religious accommodation. The association brings together approximately 3,000 hospitality facilities throughout Italy, including several located in Basilicata. This partnership is inspired by the principle of “Religious Tourism for Peace,” which promotes religious tourism as a vehicle for peace, fraternity, intercultural dialogue, and understanding among peoples.
The accession of Southern Basilicata has been supported by key figures involved in the promotion of spiritual tourism. Among them is Biagio Maimone, Italy Coordinator of the World Religious Tourism Network, journalist and communications expert, who has long been engaged in cultural and spiritual initiatives. A significant role was also played by Nicola Timpone, General Director of GAL “La Cittadella del Sapere” and Director of the Marateale International Film Festival, with the institutional support of GAL President Franco Muscolino.
According to Nicola Timpone, this membership represents an important strategic opportunity for the territory, enabling Basilicata to strengthen its international credibility and expand its presence within major cultural and spiritual tourism networks. He emphasized that the initiative will contribute to sustainable development, territorial promotion, and the enhancement of the region’s unique cultural identity.
The significance of this milestone is closely linked to the exceptional characteristics that define Southern Basilicata. The territory is home to numerous sanctuaries, historic churches, pilgrimage routes, and places of contemplation set within landscapes of remarkable natural beauty. Together, these elements form a unique spiritual mosaic where faith, history, culture, and nature are deeply interconnected.
Among the most emblematic destinations is Maratea, internationally known as the “City of 44 Churches,” where the Basilica of Saint Blaise and the monumental Christ the Redeemer statue overlook the Gulf of Policastro. Equally important is the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna of the Sacred Mount of Viggiano, one of the region’s most significant centers of Marian devotion and a historic pilgrimage destination.
Other remarkable spiritual sites include the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Sirino, located at nearly 1,900 meters above sea level within an extraordinary natural setting, and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mount Avigliano on Mount Carmine. Both destinations attract pilgrims every year and are renowned for their profound spiritual traditions and breathtaking surroundings.
Membership in the World Religious Tourism Network will make it possible to develop new international pilgrimage routes, spiritual gatherings, cultural festivals, and initiatives dedicated to intercultural dialogue. These activities are expected to increase the international visibility of the territory while creating new opportunities for local communities involved in hospitality, culture, and tourism services.
According to Biagio Maimone, joining the Network will enable the region to develop an advanced model of sustainable spiritual tourism, capable of combining the promotion of sacred sites with economic, social, and cultural growth. He also highlighted the importance of further strengthening institutional recognition of religious tourism due to its positive impact on heritage preservation, the promotion of universal values, and the development of local economies.
With this accession, Basilicata consolidates its position as an international reference point for spiritual tourism. The region now presents itself to the world as a destination where faith, culture, landscape, and hospitality converge to create a unique experience that fosters dialogue, peace, and mutual understanding among peoples. Membership in the World Religious Tourism Network therefore represents a historic opportunity to strengthen Basilicata’s global standing and transform its extraordinary spiritual heritage into a powerful driver of sustainable development for future generations.
