Religious Pilgrimages: the reasons for their success between slowness, rediscovery of interiority and the meaning of existence

In Italy alone, it is estimated that there are at least 150 pilgrimage and walking routes, both religious and secular, covering nearly 33,000 kilometres — just under the circumference of the Earth. Slow travel, aimed at rediscovering one's inner self through unhurried journeys and total immersion in nature, has thus become a tourism product of considerable significance, both in terms of eco-sustainability and as a potential response to the phenomenon of overtourism. Official statistics indicate that smaller destinations located along these routes have seen occupancy rates at accommodation facilities grow by double digits, sometimes exceeding 70% compared to the previous year. The appeal of these routes and their value in relation to the new demands of travellers seeking to reconnect with spirituality and nature are the focus of this talk, organised exclusively for travel agents and operators interested in exploring the potential of this segment.