Religious Tourism Trends 2019–2023: A Systematic Review

What is it?

Religious tourism refers to travel motivated by faith-related purposes, including pilgrimages and visits to sacred destinations. It’s one of the oldest and fastest-growing segments in global tourism.

Why is it important?

According to the research of Tejedor, Cervi, and Romero-Rodríguez, religious tourism generates over $15 billion annually and involves 300–350 million travelers worldwide. Despite the impact of COVID-19, this sector shows strong resilience and diverse academic interest.

Global Insights from a Systematic Review

A growing field of study

This article explains that between 2019 and 2023, scholarly interest in religious tourism remained steady, with notable dips in 2020–2021 due to travel restrictions.

China, the United States, and Spain emerged as top contributors to academic output, focusing on Christian and Islamic destinations, with increasing representation of Buddhism and alternative spiritual tourism.

Methodology and Scope

The study analyzed 500 articles from the Web of Science (SSCI), combining quantitative meta-analysis with qualitative content evaluation. Research was drawn from five languages and filtered for peer-reviewed articles only.

Emerging Themes and Trends

How is it applied?

Tourist Demand and Motivation

Over 55% of the literature centers on traveler motivations—ranging from religious commitment to wellness and spiritual self-discovery in places like India and Chiang Mai.

Destination Offerings and Sustainability

This review highlights growing attention to sustainability, with some destinations integrating eco-friendly practices and cultural preservation efforts. For example, Hungarian monasteries and Saudi Arabian towns show tourism’s socio-economic benefits.

COVID-19’s Disruption and Adaptation

The main findings indicate that COVID-19 reduced pilgrimages by up to 95% in 2020. However, digital innovations like virtual pilgrimages and live-streamed masses emerged as viable alternatives.

Innovation and Digital Gaps

Despite rising interest in ICTs and AI-driven tourism, only two studies focused on digital communication strategies for religious destinations. This suggests a significant research gap.

Key Takeaways

• Spiritual tourism blends faith, culture, and wellness.

• COVID-19 accelerated digital pilgrimage experiences.

• There is a growing call for interfaith and sustainable tourism models.

• Future research should focus on youth perceptions, new narratives, and AI-enhanced experiences.

FAQs

What religions are most represented in religious tourism studies?
Christianity and Islam dominate, but Buddhism and new spiritualities are gaining ground.

Has COVID-19 permanently changed religious tourism?
Not permanently, but it has reshaped practices through digital transformation and health-conscious travel.

What are future directions for research?
Multidisciplinary studies, especially those combining tech, media, and religion, are critical.