Turistica to Host International Conference on Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage in Slovenia for the First Time

Turistica to Host International Conference on Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage in Slovenia for the First Time

The University of Primorska, Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica, will host the 18th International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference (IRTP 2027) in Portorož from 23 to 26 June 2027. This prestigious international academic event takes place in a different European destination each year and will be held in Slovenia for the first time in 2027. At Turistica, we are proud to host an event that will bring international experts in religious tourism, pilgrimage and cultural heritage to Slovenian Istria.

Organised by the international IRTP research network, the conference brings together researchers, academics, managers of religious sites, representatives of religious communities and tourism destination development professionals. Following this year's conference at the renowned Montserrat Monastery in Catalonia, the next destination will be Portorož, where Turistica expects to welcome approximately 60 participants from various countries.

Sacred Routes, Living Heritage

The central theme of the conference, "Sacred Routes, Living Heritage," will highlight pilgrimage as an important part of living cultural and spiritual heritage. The subtitle, "Pilgrimage as Heritage Between Sanctuary and Sea," invites reflection on the connections between pilgrimage traditions, sacred heritage, local communities and contemporary tourism.

Hosting the conference in Slovenian Istria also carries particular symbolic and thematic significance. The region, where diverse cultural traditions, historic pilgrimage routes and rich religious heritage intersect, provides an inspiring setting for international discussions on the role of pilgrimage in contemporary society and its contribution to the sustainable development of tourism destinations.

Photos: Tadeja Jere Jakulin, Tilen Nipič

Internationally Renowned Experts to Gather in Portorož

The conference's keynote speakers will include Prof. Dr Bojan Žalec from the Faculty of Theology at the University of Ljubljana, Andreja Ravnihar Megušar, MA, President of the Slovenian Passion Plays Association, Dr Dr Dane Munro from the University of Malta, and Dr Tamara Rátz from Kodolányi János University in Hungary.

The official opening ceremony will take place on Wednesday, 23 June 2027, at 3:00 PM. The Minister of Culture, Dr Ignacija Fridl Jarc, has accepted the invitation to deliver an opening address. Representatives of the leadership of the Diocese of Koper and the University of Primorska have also been invited to participate in the opening ceremony.

In addition to academic presentations and expert discussions, the conference will offer participants the opportunity to experience the cultural and religious heritage of Slovenian Istria first-hand. As part of a professional excursion, participants will visit Strunjan, Koper Cathedral and Hrastovlje, discovering some of the region's most significant heritage sites.

An Opportunity for International Networking and the Promotion of Slovenian Istria

Hosting IRTP 2027 represents an important opportunity for both Turistica and the University of Primorska to strengthen international academic cooperation, exchange research findings and enhance the faculty's visibility within the international academic community. At the same time, the event provides an opportunity to showcase Slovenia and Slovenian Istria as a region rich in cultural heritage and a destination with considerable potential for the development of cultural, religious and sustainable tourism.

By organising the conference, Turistica aims to connect academic research with practical applications and encourage discussions on how pilgrimage routes, sacred heritage and spiritual experiences can contribute to responsible and authentic tourism experiences.

Call for Papers Now Open

The organisers have also announced the Call for Papers, inviting researchers and professionals from around the world to contribute to the conference.

The conference theme has deliberately been designed to encourage a broad range of research perspectives. It welcomes contributions from various disciplines, including tourism studies, history, art history, ethnology, religious studies, geography, sociology, economics, management and systems sciences.

Submissions may address pilgrimage routes and sacred sites, tangible and intangible heritage, the experiences and motivations of contemporary pilgrims, sustainable development and management of pilgrimage destinations, the role of local communities, digitalisation and emerging technologies, as well as intercultural and interfaith dialogue.

Whether researchers are exploring a medieval pilgrimage route, a contemporary cultural event or a coastal sanctuary, they will find international colleagues in Portorož who can offer new perspectives and a broader context for their work. The coast, where cultures, religions and peoples have intersected for centuries, provides an ideal setting for such dialogue.

The deadline for abstract submissions is 15 February 2027. Abstracts must be written in English and should not exceed 300 words.

Further information about the conference, programme and participation opportunities is available on the UP Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica website