The 1st International Congress of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimages in Poland „Following the Footsteps of the Saint Pope John Paul II” will take place from 8th to 12th November.

Mons. Marek Jedraszewski – Archbishop of Krakow, His Em. Card. Stanislaw Dziwisz and President of the Polish Tourist Organization have the honorary patronage of the Congress.

About 200 tour operators and tour organizers from 25 countries came to the capital of Malopolska for this unique in Central- and Eastern Europe event.

Participants of the Congress take part in lectures and meetings (expo) with 23 exhibitors – representatives of sanctuaries, places of worship and tourist places in Poland. The Family House of John Paul II is also presenting its activities and invites you to visit the place where – as the Holy Father said – everything began for Him.

On 10th and 11th November visitors from all over the world will visit Krakow (Old Town in Krakow, John Paul II Center in Krakow, Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki) and Lesser Poland (Salt Mine in Wieliczka, former german Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, The Holy Father John Paul II Family Home Museum together with the Basilica of the Sacrifice of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Basilica in Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and the Sanctuary of the Black Madonna in Czestochowa).

The aim of the Congress is to promote Cracow and Malopolska in the international arena as an important destination for religious and pilgrimage tourism and to strengthen the importance of religious tourism in the context of the global tourism industry.

The organizer of the congress is Ernesto Travel.