San Giovanni Rotondo faces religious tourism decline

San Giovanni Rotondo, a major destination for religious tourism in Italy, is facing a decline in visitor numbers and subsequent local employment challenges. To address this crisis, Biagio Maimone, coordinator of the World Religious Tourism Network, has proposed an international communication campaign to revitalize pilgrimages to the sites associated with Padre Pio.

Maimone suggests that the city needs a new strategy to regain its position within major international religious tourism circuits. He noted that the city could learn from the success of Assisi, which has experienced a significant boost in tourism through effective communication of its spiritual and cultural heritage.