Religious Tourism: Industry Dynamics, Emerging Trends and Contemporary Issues

This book traces the evolving landscape of religious travel, ranging from the responses of the tourism industry to Muslim travellers to the emergence of halal tourism trends.

Part I of the book examines the dynamics between religion and tourism, including the commodification of heritage and the symbiotic relationship between religion and economics. Part II delves into emerging trends and contemporary challenges, such as the impact of COVID-19 on sacred journeys and the integration of virtual reality into religious tourism experiences. The final part of the book explores diverse religious tourism experiences, from Islamic tourism to Jewish pilgrimages, providing a rich tapestry of insights into this fascinating aspect of travel.

Whether examining the commodification of religious heritage or delving into the motivations behind Sikh pilgrimage, this volume provides a comprehensive overview of the industry dynamics, emerging trends, and contemporary issues shaping religious tourism today. Engaging and enlightening, Religious Tourism: Industry Dynamics, Emerging Trends and Contemporary Issues is essential reading for scholars, practitioners, and enthusiasts seeking a deeper understanding of this fascinating intersection of faith and travel.

The chapters in this book were originally published in Tourism Recreation Research.

Tzung-Cheng (TC) Huan is Professor at National Chiayi University, Taiwan. He is also the Editor-in-Chief of Tourism Recreation Research and a member of the UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization) Panel of Tourism Experts. He has been honored by the 2011-2012 Outstanding Reviewer Award from Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, the 2013, 2017, and 2018 Emerald Literati Awards, and the 2018 Publons Peer Review Award.

Anestis K. Fotiadis is Full Professor at Zayed University, College of Business, Department of Management, Abu Dhabi, UAE. His main area of research is associated with tourism management, event management, hospitality management and sustainable development. He has published more than 40 research papers in international academic journals such as Annals of Tourism Research, Tourism Management, Journal of Business Research and others.

Nikolaos (Niko) Stylos is Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Bristol Business School, UK and Honorary Professor of Hospitality Management at Tainan University of Technology, Taiwan, He is an internationally recognised and awarded scholar specialising in marketing innovation, and digital transformation in the service industries.