The first ever International Congress on Tourism and Pilgrimages has opened in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and will showcase the positive effects of pilgrimages and spiritual routes for sustainable tourism.
According to estimates by the United Nations World Tourism Organization 300 to 330 million tourists visit key religious sites around the world every year, ensuring spiritual tourism is a key segment of both domestic and international tourism.
The Congress is organized by UNWTO, the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism of Spain and the Regional Government of Galicia and continues until September 20.
"With their unique historical, cultural and natural features, pilgrimages represent vital opportunities to further strengthen tourism’s ability to foster intercultural dialogue and contribute to the protection of religious and spiritual sites," said Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary-General.
The Congress will address a range of issues such as how pilgrimages can drive forward local development, how to identify trends behind demand for spiritual tourism, and how best to market responsible pilgrimage tourism.
The event brings together experts from around the world, including Argentina, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Paraguay, Spain and Thailand.
