Successful Religious Tourism gatherings foster international dialogue

Successful Religious Tourism forum fosters international dialogue

25-06-2026

Access the full recording by clicking here.

The World Religious Tourism Network (WRTN), an initiative integrated into the Tourism and Society Think Tank (TSTT), successfully held the first edition of its Religious Tourism Gatherings, a new professional forum created to encourage knowledge exchange, strengthen international cooperation and generate spaces for dialogue among key stakeholders involved in one of the tourism segments with the greatest potential for growth and sustainable development.

The inaugural session brought together more than 100 participants from 14 countries across Europe and the Americas, who spent 90 minutes sharing experiences, reflections and best practices related to destination management, the preservation of religious heritage and the role of tourism as a tool for local community development. The high level of participation and strong interest generated by this first edition confirm the value of an initiative that aims to become a permanent reference forum for professionals specializing in religious tourism.

The first gathering featured a distinguished panel of international experts who provided complementary perspectives on the challenges and opportunities currently facing the sector. Among the speakers was Eva Treer, Director of Tourism for the Archdiocese of Esztergom-Budapest in Hungary, who shared her experience in managing tourism within one of Central Europe’s most significant religious territories. Also participating was David Muriel, Project Director at the Fundación Edades del Hombre in Spain, an institution widely recognized for its work in promoting religious and cultural heritage as a driver of territorial development.

The panel was completed by Adrián Nelso Lomello, Director for the Americas of the World Religious Tourism Network, and Kata Sara Gyuricza, International Technical Director of the WRTN, both of whom provided a global perspective on emerging trends in religious tourism and the need to promote management models capable of combining growth, conservation and sustainability.

Throughout the event, participants examined a variety of successful initiatives developed in different countries, paying particular attention to projects that have transformed religious heritage into a source of economic, cultural and social opportunities for local communities. Participants agreed that religious tourism is currently undergoing a profound transformation, driven by new traveler expectations, increasing sustainability requirements and a growing need to strengthen cooperation among public institutions, religious organizations, heritage managers and tourism businesses.

One of the most highly valued aspects of this new initiative was its close and participatory format. The Religious Tourism Gatherings were created with the goal of putting faces to the professionals working in this field on a daily basis, facilitating direct exchanges of experiences and encouraging the creation of collaborative networks among experts from different countries. The RMTR believes that creating spaces built on trust and dialogue is a fundamental tool for fostering innovation and promoting shared solutions to the challenges facing the sector.

Beyond the exchange of best practices, the gatherings seek to identify key elements that can help advance a more sustainable form of religious tourism while increasing the benefits delivered to host communities. Among the topics discussed during the first edition were the need to improve destination management capacity, the importance of preserving both tangible and intangible heritage linked to religious traditions, and the role of tourism as a mechanism for strengthening local economies and creating new opportunities for residents.

The international dimension of the event provided particularly significant added value. The participation of professionals from two continents made it possible to explore diverse realities and demonstrate how many challenges are shared regardless of geographical location. This global perspective enriched the discussion and reinforced the spirit of cooperation that underpins the work of the World Religious Tourism Network.

Those who were unable to attend the live session can access the full recording of the first Religious Tourism Gathering through the organization’s official YouTube channel, where it is available for viewing. The dissemination of these contents forms part of the WRTN’s strategy to expand the reach of the knowledge generated and facilitate access to inspiring experiences for professionals around the world.

Following the success of this inaugural edition, the World Religious Tourism Network is already working on the organization of the second Religious Tourism Gathering. Details of the upcoming event will be announced soon through the organization’s official channels, social media platforms and newsletters. Through this initiative, the WRTN reaffirms its commitment to promoting knowledge, international cooperation and the development of a form of religious tourism capable of preserving heritage, strengthening local communities and generating sustainable opportunities for future generations.

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