On 1–2 October, the first International Religious Tourism Forum “Faith, Heritage and Tourism” took place in Raseiniai and Šiluva, bringing together professionals from Lithuania and abroad working in the fields of religious tourism, pilgrimage, culture and heritage. Over two days, the programme combined a conference, a panel discussion, an exhibition, B2B meetings and a FAM tour, providing an opportunity not only to discuss the development of religious tourism but also to build new international connections in practice.

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The Forum welcomed international tour operators from Latvia, the Dominican Republic, India and Italy, as well as representatives of tourism organisations, the public sector, pilgrimage destinations, cultural and heritage institutions, tourism service providers and other professionals in the field.

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Lithuanian and International Expertise at the Conference

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The conference, held in Raseiniai on 1 October, opened with welcoming remarks by Kęstutis Kėvalas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaunas, Arvydas Nekrošius, Mayor of Raseiniai District Municipality, and Artūras Pekauskas, Adviser to the Minister of the Economy and Innovation. The conference programme focused both on local experience and on international trends in religious tourism and opportunities for cooperation.

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Jurga Nekrošiūtė, Chief Specialist at the Communication, Culture and Tourism Division of the Raseiniai District Municipality Administration, shared the experience gained so far in the field of religious tourism in her presentation “From Local History to International Dialogue: Šiluva, the Route of Graces and IRTF”. She presented key local initiatives, the path towards international cooperation and changing travel trends that inspired the next step – organising the International Religious Tourism Forum. Ambassador and Doctor of Social Sciences Vytautas Naudužas, together with Fr Žydrius Kuzinas CO, presented the idea of the “JP2 LIVING LEGACY ROUTE” – 100 places, 100 stories and one journey across Lithuania towards European hope. Santiago Cano, representing REDITUR in Argentina, spoke about the commercialisation of religious tourism and global trends in the sector. Ernest Mirosław, owner of Ernesto Travel in Poland, shared practical experience from the international tourism industry and discussed what tour operators expect from religious tourism destinations – from accessibility, basic traveller needs, programme structure and accommodation to guiding services, storytelling and cooperation with local partners. Daniel Zalejski, representing the Shrines of Europe Association and the Municipality of Częstochowa, delivered the Forum’s keynote address, presenting the experience of the European network of shrines and directions for the development of religious tourism.

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Panel Discussion on Living Heritage, Pilgrimage and Sustainability

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The conference programme also featured a panel discussion entitled “Paths of Faith in Europe: Living Heritage, Pilgrimage and Sustainable Religious Tourism”. Its central question was how religious tourism can be developed in a way that helps preserve living religious and cultural heritage, strengthens local communities and creates meaningful connections between pilgrimage centres across Europe.

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The discussion was moderated by Silvija Čižaitė-Rudokienė, Head of the Šiluva Pilgrimage Centre. The panel included Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė, Lithuanian Ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta; Lidija Bajarūnienė, Adviser at the Tourism and Resort Development Division of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation and Vice-President of the European Travel Commission; Olga Gončarova, Director General of Lithuania Travel; Rūta Stankuvienė, Director of the Šiauliai Tourism Information Centre and President of LTICA; and Daniel Zalejski.

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania also contributed to the organisation of the discussion, and we sincerely thank the Ministry for its cooperation and contribution to the Forum programme. The International Religious Tourism Forum is one of the events accompanying Lithuania’s preparations for its Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2027.

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The discussion addressed the preservation of living religious heritage, the role of local communities, sustainable tourism and international cooperation, while exploring ways for pilgrimage destinations to remain vibrant, authentic and at the same time open to today’s travellers.

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Exhibition and B2B Meetings – A Space for New Connections

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Following the conference programme, Forum participants continued networking in the exhibition area and during individual B2B meetings designed to facilitate direct contacts and potential partnerships between tourism professionals.

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The exhibition featured the Lithuanian Pilgrims’ Association, Kėdainiai Tourism and Business Information Centre, Kazlų Rūda Tourism and Business Information Centre, the Directorate of Protected Areas of Žemaitija, and the Way of Grace, presented by representatives of the municipalities connected by the route.

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During the B2B meetings, participants had an opportunity to present their activities, tourism products and routes directly, discuss specific opportunities for cooperation and establish contacts with international tour operators.

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The Evening of the First Day in Šiluva

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On the evening of the first day of the Forum, international tour operators and institutional partners gathered for dinner in Šiluva. Guests were welcomed by the traditional instrumental music ensemble “Dubysa”, which introduced participants to part of Lithuania’s musical tradition and created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the evening.

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Day Two Dedicated to Discovering Lithuania’s Pilgrimage Destinations

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On 2 October, international tour operators took part in a FAM tour designed to provide first-hand experience of Lithuania’s pilgrimage destinations and sacred heritage through their stories, people, traditions and authentic experiences.

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The day began in Šiluva, where the team of the Šiluva Pilgrimage Centre introduced participants to the history and sacred heritage of the shrine. At the Hill of Crosses, the group visited one of Lithuania’s best-known pilgrimage sites as well as the Franciscan monastery, where they were welcomed by Fr Severinas Holocheris OFM.

In Žemaičių Kalvarija, guests were welcomed by the folklore ensemble “Platelē”, which presented traditional Samogitian songs and dances, while guide Bronius Kleinauskas introduced the history and sacred heritage of the area. The day concluded at the Bernardine Monastery in Tytuvėnai with a night tour, during which participants explored, by lantern light, the history and mysteries of this more than 400-year-old site.

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The FAM tour gave international tour operators an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the distinctiveness of these destinations, their living traditions and their potential to be included in international travel itineraries in the future.

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A Forum Laying the Foundation for Further Cooperation

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The first International Religious Tourism Forum became a meeting place for different stakeholders in the field – from international tour operators and tourism information centres to pilgrimage destinations, public-sector institutions, cultural and heritage organisations.

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The Forum focused not only on the potential of religious tourism, but also on practical ways to strengthen international cooperation, increase the visibility of Lithuania’s pilgrimage destinations, develop attractive tourism products and build long-term partnerships.

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The International Religious Tourism Forum “Faith, Heritage and Tourism” was organised by Raseiniai District Municipality, the public institution “Atrask Raseinius”, and the Šiluva Pilgrimage Centre.

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The Forum partners were the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation of the Republic of Lithuania, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania, Lithuania Travel, and the Way of Grace.

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We would like to thank all speakers, panel participants, international tour operators, exhibitors, service providers, institutional partners, partners and everyone who contributed to the successful organisation of the first International Religious Tourism Forum.

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You can find the photos from 1 October HERE.

You can find the photos from 2 October HERE.

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