WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER

For selected international buyers

 

• Transfers from arrival points to Šiluva

• Check-in and accommodation

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Other participant groups arrive according to their individual schedules

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

The programme is open to all registered participants

 

9.30–10.30 – Participant registration and welcome coffee 

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10.30–10.35 – Opening of the Forum

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10.35–10.45 – Welcome Remarks

Arvydas Nekrošius, Mayor of Raseiniai District Municipality

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10.45–10.55 – Welcome Remarks

Kęstutis Kėvalas, Metropolitan Archbishop of Kaunas

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10.55–11.05 – Welcome Remarks

Guoda Burokienė, Vice-Minister of the Economy and Innovation

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11.05–11.15 – From Local History to International Dialogue: Šiluva, the Way of Grace and IRTF

Jurga Nekrošiūtė, Raseiniai District Municipality

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11.20–11.35 – JP2 LIVING LEGACY ROUTE: Through Lithuania towards Europe’s Hope

100 places. 100 stories. One journey. 

Vytautas Naudužas, Ambassador, PhD in Social Sciences & Rev. Žydrius Kuzinas CO, Master of Theology and Management

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11.40–11.55 – Commercialising Religious Tourism: Global Trends 

Santiago Cano, REDITUR

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12.00–12.25 – Expert Presentation: What International Tour Operators Expect from Religious Tourism Destinations

What makes a destination attractive to tour operators: accessibility, programme structure, accommodation, guide services, storytelling, cooperation with local partners and other practical aspects. 

Ernest Mirosław, Ernesto Travel

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12.25–12.50 – Forum Keynote Presentation: Experience of the Shrines of Europe Network and Future Directions for Religious Tourism

Daniel Zalejski, Shrines of Europe / Częstochowa Municipality

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12.55–13.40 – Discussion “Paths of Faith in Europe: Living Heritage, Pilgrimage and Sustainable Religious Tourism”

How can religious tourism be developed in a way that preserves living religious and cultural heritage, strengthens local communities, and builds meaningful connections between pilgrimage centres across Europe?

Moderator – Silvija Čižaitė-Rudokienė (Head of the Šiluva Pilgrim Centre)

Participants: Lidija Bajarūnienė (Adviser at the Tourism and Resorts Development Division of the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, Vice-President of the European Travel Commission), Olga Gončarova (Head of Lithuania Travel), Sigita Maslauskaitė-Mažylienė (Ambassador of Lithuania to the Holy See and to the Order of Malta), Rūta Stankuvienė (Director of the Šiauliai Tourism Information Centre, President of LTICA), and Daniel Zalejski (Shrines of Europe and Częstochowa Municipality Representative)

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13.40–13.45 – Summary of the Conference Programme 

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13.45–14.45 – Lunch and Networking

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14.45–16.45 – Exhibition

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers, Suppliers, Exhibitors and Institutional Partners

 

14.45–16.45 – B2B meetings

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16.45–17.15 – Coffee break and preparation for departure

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THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers, Institutional Partners and Invited Guests

 

17.15 – Departure for Šiluva

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17.30–19.00  – Free time

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19.00–21.00 – Official Forum Dinner and Cultural Programme

John Paul II Pilgrim House, Šiluva

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FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers and Suppliers wishing to participate

 

8.00 – Visit to Šiluva Shrine

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10.30 – Hill of Crosses

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12.30 – Lunch

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15.30 – Žemaičių Kalvarija

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18.30 – Dinner at the Tytuvėnai Bernardine Monastery

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20.00 – Evening tour of the Tytuvėnai Bernardine Monastery

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21.30 – Return to Šiluva

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SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER

Programme for International Buyers wishing to participate

The post-tour is organized by "Go Vilnius"

Separate registration is required to participate in the post-tour. To register, please contact us at info@irtforum.com

 

08.00 – Departure

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11.00 – Arrival in Vilnius

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• “Divine Mercy Vilnius” Familiarisation Programme

• Dinner

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Note. Transfers to the airports for International Buyers not participating in the familiarisation tour in Vilnius will be arranged according to their individual departure times.

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SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER

Departure

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International buyers participating in the post-tour are responsible for arranging their own departure and transportation to the airport.

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