Large processions in which thousands of people participate who live a spiritual moment, of social and cultural connection, is the main attraction for religious tourism and Guatemala has great expectations with the particular way of living Lent and Holy Week.
At this time, Guatemala offers a series of activities throughout the country, which have been inherited from generation to generation and have remained in force for more than four centuries.
The solemnity and spiritual fervor make the country an extremely attractive destination for religious tourism; According to the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism (Inguat), this tourism segment is constantly growing and offers authentic experiences impregnated with mysticism, which only countries with characteristics like Guatemala can offer.
Erzi Espinoza, director of Tourism Product Development at Inguat, commented that the recent incorporation into the World Network of Religious Tourism Destinations is one of the actions defined in Guatemala’s strategy for the development of this segment, as part of the priorities for the internationalization of the experience in this target audience.
He explained that the activities have already begun through a work team with which important events are being coordinated to strengthen this segment.
One of them is the National Congress of Religious Tourism that they will hold this year, in which they will have the support of the Network, facilitating a workshop for the generation of products.
Within the framework of this time, Inguat has designed a plan that incorporates different supports and accompaniments to religious tourism destinations, among which the Pregón stands out, the digital magazine of the processional processions, gastronomy, traditions and other information of interest to visitors, which allow national and international tourists to find a complete guide to destinations.
“In the area of promotion and marketing through destination presentations, business conferences and familiarization and press trips in key markets we make known El Pregón and the different tourist destinations in Guatemala”
Erzi Espinoza, director of Tourism Product Development at Inguat
They project an increase in visits
According to Espinoza, the incorporation into the World Network of Religious Tourism Destinations is drawing attention to the potential that Guatemala has in this cultural and tourism segment, which is why an increase in the number of visitors is expected during the Lent season. and Holy Week.
In this sense, pilgrims and religious tourists are choosing Guatemala as a special destination to live and experience the traditions and events related to Lent.
The interviewee explained that they project greater interest from visitors in religious tourist destinations, so the authorities are preparing by organizing staff to comply with the schedule of activities and to provide information and attention to tourists in the main destinations of the country, as well as the supervision in the provision of services in accordance with required standards.
It is a complete system of assistance and information, which includes prevention in the activities that will be carried out, assistance in emergency cases and support of any nature that tourism needs.
At the promotional level, within the advertising campaign, Inguat incorporates visual pieces that transmit traditions such as processions, carpets and churches, with the aim of encouraging tourists to enjoy the season and generate movement between the different tourist destinations.
In the Easter 2023 period, the following were recorded:
- 2 million 971 thousand 889 national tourists and 134 thousand 291 international tourists who were attracted by the religious fervor of these celebrations, being observers and participants in the making of carpets, pilgrimages, pilgrimages and the tasting of the typical gastronomy of the time.
Meanwhile, the general director of Inguat, Harris Whitbeck, stated at the time that the opportunity presented by religious tourism plays a fundamental role in the promotion and preservation of the cultural and spiritual heritage of Guatemala.
“Being part of the World Network of Religious Tourism Destinations is of utmost importance, since it will allow us to diversify and expand the tourist offer, as well as position the country as a reference destination for those travelers who seek unique experiences in sacred environments and living traditions. “.
Harris Whitbeck, director general del Inguat
Holy Week in Guatemala was declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2008 and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2022.
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