The role of religious tourism to sacred places as a tool for socio-economic and cultural development of destinations was one element explored in this year's Mediterranean Tourism Forum.
The Forum, which was held at the Hilton Hotel this week, committed to promote and discuss the sustainable growth of tourism in the Mediterranean region. Fatima Mayor Luis Albuqerque explained to The Malta Independent on Sunday that attracting faith-based tourism is as important as other forms of tourists and could be a niche the Mediterranean could focus on, that is as long as we safeguard and protect it.
Fatima is a civil parish in the municipality of Ourèm in Portugal; where a small chapel was built in honour of Our Lady of Fatima in 1918 with her statue which has been enclosed inside a large shrine and basilica. These religious shrines have attracted thousands of pilgrims every year, the Mayor explains.
Albuqerque spoke of the success story in Fatima as a touristic destination which has become famous for its sacred places. In the Mediterranean region, we are characterised by the amazing loyalty of tourists who visit our shrines and sacred places, he said. He spoke how faith based tourism could be a niche for Mediterranean tourism and together the Mediterranean could become a route of different scared stops for pilgrims and tourists alike.
"For any Mayor these sacred sites are our biggest concern because it is all about safeguarding the authenticity, integrity and preserving the very spirit of the place," Albuqerque said. He explained how a small place such as Fatima has one million tourists a year which is challenging enough. The threats and challenges faced include vandalism or theft and the preservation of sacred traditions involves good practices, he said. Adding that the need of universal accessibility which shows the competitiveness of tourism destinations and how these sacred places become accessible without affecting the cultural value or affecting safety.
"Tourism involves different realities. There are all types of tourism: culture, sport, adventures, religious, entertainment etc. All these types of tourism need to be catered for. However, as Mediterranean states, we need to come together to promote and attract pilgrims from all over to visit our shrines". The Mediterranean holds a huge proportion of the sacred places different religions are based on, therefore, Albuqerque stated, we must harvest these sights to attract tourism but in a sustainable way.
Together the Mediterranean can become a Christmas destination through effective partnership, he explained but most importantly becoming a Christmas destination for faith-based reasons. It is important that governments, religious authorities and tourism operators optimize the benefits that religious tourism can bring, he concluded.
Malta Tourism Authority confirmed at the Forum that work is starting on producing a programme to promote religious tourism in Malta. President of St John's Cathedral Foundation Wilfred Buttigieg discussed the importance of maintaining the religious aspect core to attracting tourists in the Christmas period.
"I do worry that Christ is being forgotten from Christmas and it is essential to keep Christ at the centre of this festivity. If we are to attract religious pilgrims who are going on a journey for more than the obvious touristic sites," he said.