JOSP Fest 2010 - News

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With the institutional patronage of the Italian Ministry of Tourism, Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, an activity of the Vicariate of Rome, Department of the Holy See, today inaugurated the II Edition of JOSP Fest, Journeys of the Spirit Festival, at the New Rome Fair Grounds.

The Festival, that will run through the 17 January, with its theme “Don’t hide your face from me,” Psalm 26,9 from David to the Lord, shines a spotlight attention on the pilgrimage experience. JOSP Fest is a journey across continents and cultures and is the moment to discover the beauty that the world offers to those interested in travelling and learning.

“JOSP Fest is a unique occasion to travel, to embark on a pilgrimage and to discover the world through the eyes of others,” said Father Caesar Atuire, CEO of Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi. Organized by Quo Vadis, JOSP Fest continues to promote Rome, the cradle of Christianity, as the destination point to begin the pilgrimage experience. It also places a great emphasis on the Festival’s 300 international exhibitors, who offer all the opportunities that exist for those interested in “journeys of the Spirit.”

These exhibitors not only include international tourism boards, travel agencies, transport companies and service firms, but also Sanctuaries, Embassies to the Holy See, Italian Ministries, including the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Environment, and international institutions, such as the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

This year JOSP Fest placed a spotlight attention on the theme of “Solidarity.” JOSP Fest is the place for collaboration. It’s the place where you can get inspired or be inspired. This theme, which will be presented by the Italian actor Roberto Ciufoli, is evident in several of the seminars, workshops and events that will held throughout the four days of the Festival. JOSP Fest also continues to grow. This year the first business-to-business workshop, called the JOSP Trade Workshop, with some 80 international buyers is underway.

This workshop, which will include the presentation of new tourism services and products and one-to-one meetings, will help the business who operate in this industry succeed and grow.

Also of great importance is the first JOSP Tourism Summit, “Tourism: The Paradigm Shift?,” that was held this morning. The purpose of summit, which was attended by a select group of important leaders in tourism including representatives from Sabre Travel Network and Alitalia, was to create a profile of modern tourist, identifying their motivations and experiences, as well as emerging destinations and changes in the period of travel. The result of the summit is the JOSP Declaration Charter that will be presented for the first time today after the official inauguration and press conference.

“JOSP Fest is the response to a demand, which we have the obligation to respond to,” Atuire added. “The goal of JOSP Fest is to confirm that there is an alternative way to travel and to discover the world.”

The universal language of the arts will also take centre stage at JOSP Fest. This year several notable artists including Valentina Cortese, Albano Carrisi and Gaia Straccamore will take the stage at JOSP Fest and perform for the public.