The International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference (IRTP) organised by the Institute for Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage (IRTP) in conjunction with the International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage (IJRTP), University of Palermo and the Observatory on Tourism for Islands Economy (OTIE) invites abstracts for their 16th International Conference to be held from 25th–28th June 2025.

The aim of the conference is to provide both empirical and personal insights into the changing nature of religion in society and to further the debate for both policy-makers and academics to consider these evolving challenges within the future development of faith tourism and pilgrimage.

The main emphasis for acceptance at this event is based on participants presenting papers, which apply to the main themes of the conference.

University of Palermo

The University of Palermo is quite integrated with the City (Palermo) and the overall Region: Sicily. The Univeristy forsters the collaboration with the city and the Sicily Region by connecting also special events such as the Graduation Day organizing this event, which celebrate the Unipa students, in some special places in the city center and hystorical monuments.

About Palermo 

Palermo, the capital city of Sicily, is located in the heart of the Mediterranean Sea. Built and grown over the course of centuries, Palermo conveys a range of diverse cultures and traditions, from the Fenicians to the Romans, Arabs, Normans and Spanish-French people, until the recent unification within the Italian kingdom. Nestled in La Conca d’Oro (the golden shell) and roughly embraced by Monte Pellegrino and Capo Zafferano, Palermo was declared “the most beautifully situated town in the world” by Oscar Wilde – rightly, in many people’s eyes.

Moving from the city center to the more recent quarters of Palermo, in via Ruggero VII and via Libertà, you will encounter very interesting shopping areas enriched by the presence of the two main city theatres, Politeama Garibaldi and Massimo, the largest opera theater in Italy and one of the largest in Europe. Built between 1875 and 1891, it can accommodate more than 1,380 spectators. 

In the very close neighbourhoods of Palermo, the small village of Monreale hosts the Cathedral, a unique architectural jewel, built according to the Bizantine style and astonishingly enriched with golden mosaics, representing the main episodes of the Holy Bible. 

The Foro Italico, a sea side marina walk populated by Palermo citizens, separates the city center from the sea side, reaching the gate of the city harbour the third largest commercial harbour in Italy. Here you can enjoy a walk, eating ice Palermo also offers wonderful options for enjoying beaches and bathing and swimming in the crystalline water of the city’s most popular beach of Mondello, 30 minutes from the city centre by city buses.