Turkey Unlocks New Faith Tourism Era as Tarsus Hosts First International St. Paul Global Week

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Turkey will be home to the first St. Paul Global Week’s international Christian heritage tourism event from June 28 to 30, 2027, in Tarsus. This will draw tourists to the birthplace of the Apostle Paul and create the region’s first pilgrimage route. The international faith tourism event and religious community Heritage tourism will bring pilgrims to the sites in Tarsus and Mersin.

The three-day gathering will coincide with the Feast of St. Paul on June 29, 2027, featuring prayer programmes, heritage walks, cultural experiences and spiritual gatherings designed to connect visitors with the early life and legacy of one of Christianity’s most influential figures.

The event is being developed and funded by Funny Tourism, a brand of DYF Turizm operating under TÜRSAB licence No. 7747. The initiative aims to strengthen Tarsus’ presence on international Christian pilgrimage maps and introduce new travel routes connecting some of Turkey’s most important religious heritage destinations.

Tarsus Prepares to Welcome the World to Apostle Paul’s Birthplace

Tarsus holds a special place in Christian history as the birthplace of Apostle Paul, who played a central role in spreading Christianity across the ancient world. Despite its importance, the city has remained less prominent compared with other destinations featured in established Christian pilgrimage routes.

The St. Paul Global Week initiative seeks to bring renewed international attention to Tarsus by creating a dedicated annual platform focused on the city’s religious and historical significance.

The event will invite visitors to explore the origins of Paul’s story through guided heritage experiences, spiritual programmes and cultural activities. Travellers will have the opportunity to discover ancient streets, historic landmarks and traditional areas connected with the city’s past.

By placing Tarsus at the beginning of the pilgrimage journey, the event aims to reshape existing Christian heritage routes and encourage more visitors to explore the birthplace of Apostle Paul.

The programme is expected to attract pilgrims from different parts of the world who are interested in combining religious travel with historical discovery and cultural exploration.

Global Pilgrims to Join Special Feast Day Celebration in 2027

The main highlight of St. Paul Global Week will take place on June 29, 2027, during the Feast of St. Paul. The celebration will include a special prayer programme in Tarsus at locations associated with the Apostle’s family history and early years.

The event will focus on heritage locations including the ancient well and old market area connected with traditions surrounding Paul’s family home.

The Feast Day programme will also be shared internationally through live broadcasting, enabling Christian communities and parishes worldwide to participate in the celebration.

Throughout the three-day gathering, visitors will follow walking routes through historic Tarsus while attending teaching sessions, faith programmes and cultural activities.

The combination of religious ceremonies and heritage exploration will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the city’s connection with early Christianity.

Rather than being limited to a single celebration, St. Paul Global Week is designed as a complete pilgrimage experience where visitors can engage with history, faith and local culture.

Mersin and Cilicia Region to Add Mediterranean Heritage Experience

While Tarsus will remain the centre of the event, the programme will extend into Mersin and the wider Cilicia region, offering visitors a broader understanding of the area’s historical importance.

Cilicia has been a significant crossroads of civilisations for thousands of years, shaped by ancient kingdoms, trade routes and religious movements. The region’s archaeological heritage and Mediterranean character provide an important setting for a faith tourism experience.

The inclusion of Mersin will allow visitors to explore a wider destination beyond traditional pilgrimage locations. Travellers will experience a combination of ancient history, coastal landscapes and cultural traditions.

The regional approach is expected to encourage longer stays and create opportunities for visitors to discover more of southern Turkey.

By connecting religious heritage with local experiences, St. Paul Global Week aims to demonstrate how faith tourism can support wider destination development.

Multi-Day Pilgrimage Programmes to Connect Turkey’s Historic Christian Sites

In addition to the main three-day event, organisers are preparing extended pilgrimage programmes lasting between five and 11 nights.

These travel packages will connect Tarsus with other major Christian heritage destinations across Turkey, including Istanbul, Cappadocia, Antioch and Ephesus.

The expanded routes will allow visitors to follow wider historical journeys linked with Christianity’s development in Anatolia.

Antioch, one of the earliest centres of Christianity, offers important connections to the first Christian communities. Ephesus provides access to ancient heritage linked with early Christian traditions, while Cappadocia showcases historic churches, monasteries and religious settlements carved into its unique landscapes.

These multi-destination programmes will provide international visitors with flexible options to explore Turkey’s Christian heritage.

The initiative aims to transform a visit to Tarsus into a wider cultural and spiritual journey across some of the country’s most significant historical locations.

Turkey Strengthens Role as Global Faith Tourism Destination

The launch of St. Paul Global Week highlights Turkey’s growing focus on faith and heritage tourism.

The country is home to numerous locations connected with biblical history, ancient civilisations and early religious communities. These destinations continue to attract travellers seeking meaningful experiences that combine spirituality, history and cultural understanding.

The new event adds another important attraction to Turkey’s religious tourism portfolio by focusing specifically on the life and legacy of Apostle Paul.

For Tarsus and Mersin, the gathering represents an opportunity to increase international visibility, attract new visitor groups and promote the region’s historical assets.

Faith tourism has become an increasingly important segment of the global travel industry, with many visitors looking for journeys that offer deeper connections with heritage and traditions.

St. Paul Global Week is positioned to support this trend by creating a specialised pilgrimage experience based around one of Christianity’s most recognised figures.

International Travel Network Planned to Expand Event Reach

To promote global participation, St. Paul Global Week will adopt an international country-representation model.

Organisers plan to appoint one travel company in each participating market as the exclusive Country Representative for the event.

Applications for representation will remain open until September 15, 2026. Selected representatives will participate in an inspection programme in Turkey in November 2026 to explore the planned event routes and pilgrimage itineraries.

The international partnership structure is designed to help travel companies promote the event among pilgrimage groups, religious organisations and individual travellers.

By creating a worldwide network of travel partners, the initiative aims to build stronger connections between Turkey and global faith tourism markets.

New Tourism Initiative Highlights Tarsus’ Historic Importance

St. Paul Global Week is being developed as an independent initiative focused on promoting Tarsus and the surrounding region through faith-based travel.

The programme is being created without external sponsors or financial backers, with planning, operations and international coordination managed by the event organisers.

The focus remains on developing a meaningful pilgrimage experience that combines historical authenticity, spiritual engagement and cultural exploration.

The initiative is expected to encourage international visitors to spend more time in Tarsus, Mersin and other connected destinations across Turkey.

Tarsus Set for International Recognition Through St. Paul Global Week 2027

The first St. Paul Global Week in June 2027 will introduce a new chapter for Christian pilgrimage tourism in Turkey.

By bringing global visitors to the birthplace of Apostle Paul, the event will highlight Tarsus as a significant destination within international faith travel networks.

With prayer celebrations, heritage routes, cultural programmes and extended pilgrimage journeys, the gathering will offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience the historical foundations of one of Christianity’s most important stories.

The event is expected to strengthen the connection between ancient heritage and modern tourism while positioning Tarsus and Mersin as emerging destinations for travellers seeking meaningful religious and cultural experiences.