Cyprus to host first international religious tourism conference

With increased recognition being given to religious tourism, Cyprus Tourism Organization along with the World Tourism Organization will be hosting the 1st International Conference on Religious Tourism  (ICORET) 2006 from October 19-21 in Nicosia.

Though the scope of the conference will be global, it will focus on similarities and difference between regions of the world. The final outcome of ICORET 2006 it is hoped, will foster stronger ties between tourism authorities, travel agents, communities, and religious sectors, as well as come up with a more integrated way of looking at religious tourism. It will cover both the demand and supply aspects of religious tourism and will provide networking opportunities to those involved.

Apart from tapping into the US$18 billion conference market, ICORT aims to showcase the potential for religious tourism in Cyprus, the region in general, and Europe. Cyprus has a rich cultural heritage and civilization that goes back 10,000 years. It has monasteries, Byzantine churches, chapels and shrines, thematic routes like “ On the footsteps of St. Paul”,  and “Saint Helena’s passage from Cyprus,” caves and graves of saints and apostles,  superb examples of Byzantine art, and buildings and places of worship belonging to various faiths that co-exist harmoniously. Possessed of a balmy and pleasant climate, beautiful scenery, and traditionally hospitable people, Cyprus would seem to be the perfect setting for the conference.

Cyprus has three World Heritage Sites: the ten, painted Byzantine churches in the Troodos region, the Neolithic site of Choirokhoitia, and Paphos. Paphos has such attractions as the legendary Temple of Aphrodite, St. Paul’s Pillar, Tombs of the Kings, and the Byzantine castle of Paphos. The island is also famous for its monasteries and convents. In the mountains of Troodos region, about 20km west of Pedoulas village, is the famous Kykko Monastery, founded in 1080 by the Byzantine Emperor Alexios Komnenos. The Monastery possesses one of the three surviving icons ascribed to Saint Luke and has an museum where precious items and treasures that survived the ages are on display.

Other than Christian holy places, Cyprus is proud to host a number of equally significant places of worship of other religions, such as the Hala Sultan Mosque, the Europa Nostra-prized Omerye Mosque, and many others. Perhaps because Cyprus has seen so many empires and cultural influences ebb and flow over the centuries, the country enjoys an exceedingly high level of freedom of worship. While the majority of Cypriots are Greek Orthodox Christian (85%), other religious faiths are represented on the island as well, including Armenians, Maronites, Roman Catholics, Latins and Muslims.

There is a close connection between art and religious worship and this is in evidence throughout Cyprus: the churches of Cyprus with their architecture, iconography, mosaics, murals and rare icons; the chapels and shrines of the countryside; and the monasteries all  speak for the intense dedication to traditions through the centuries.

By Chitra Mogul