Religious
Tourism
Religious
Tourism can be defined as travel with the core motive of experiencing religious
forms, or the products they induce, like art, culture, traditions and
architecture.
Based
upon the nature of the product, intensity and region of travel, Religious Tourism
is divided into the following major categories:
·
Pilgrimages
·
Missionary
travel
·
Leisure
(fellowship) vacations
·
Faith-based
cruising
·
Crusades,
conventions and rallies
·
Retreats
·
Monastery
visits and guest-stays
·
Faith-based
camps
·
Religious
tourist attractions
Religious
tourism usually involves followers of particular faiths visiting locations that
some people regard as holy sites. In many instances, religious tourists journey
to these sites on the anniversaries of events that are of importance to
followers of specific religions. Traditionally, those involved in religious
tourism were referred to as pilgrims but in modern times that term that is not
as widely used since many non-religious individuals also embark on trips to
holy sites because many of these sites are of cultural or historical as well as
religious interest.
Some
travel companies arrange all inclusive trips to temples, churches, sites where
religious figures were reportedly martyred, and various other locations that
hold some kind of historical or mythical significance. These trips often take
the form of guided tours, sometimes visiting a number of sites in one day or
during one tour. Many sites in Israel are of significance to Christians, Jews
and Muslims alike.
Many
sites in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and elsewhere are linked to historical figures or
events associated with just one of these three major religions. Many travel
firms also offer package tours to locations in India that are of importance to
Buddhists and Hindus, while other tour companies cater to followers of other
religions.
Religious
communities located throughout the world sometimes arrange trips to holy sites.
These groups often organize events to raise funds to cover the cost of the trip
so that members who lack the means to cover their own costs are able to go on
the trip. In some instances, religious groups contact other members of the
faith who live close to the holy sites and arrange for travelers to stay in
monasteries or other properties that are operated by members of the religious
faith.
While
religious tourism often takes the form of lengthy group trips, in other
instances it can take the form of a day trip or a brief visit to a holy site.
There are many locations throughout Europe, Africa, Central and South America
that are regarded as holy by some Christians because people claim to have seen
visions of religious figures at these sites. During religious holidays and
celebrations, many people from the surrounding areas visit these sites and
religious ceremonies are held to mark particular occasions. Similarly, Muslims,
Buddhists, Hindus and believers in other faiths often embark on brief
pilgrimages to holy sites in Saudi Arabia, India or other parts of Asia.
Therefore, religious tourism can involve both formal travel arrangements or
impromptu trips to nearby sites.
The
main regions of pilgrimage tourism:
-
Orthodox CIS republics: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova;
-
Foreign Europe with dominant Catholicism and Protestantism (including its
numerous downstream);
-
North America with significant Christianity;
-
Latin America, with a predominance of Christianity and traditional folk beliefs
of the indigenous population;
-
North Africa dominated by Islam;
-
Eastern and Western part of Africa dominated by Islam and there is a center of Christianity
and traditional folk beliefs;
-
Western Asia with the dominance of Islam and Christianity and Judaism enclaves;
-
South Asia with the spread of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Islam;
-
South-East Asia, with a predominance of Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism enclaves;
-
East Asia dominated by Buddhism, Confucianism and Shintoism;
-
Central Asia (Tibet), dominated by Islam and Lamaism, Bon religion;
-
Central Asia dominated by Buddhism and Islam separate enclaves.
Religion
is very important to many people. Every year more than two hundred million
people around the world travel to worship shrines wanting to get peace of mind,
free from serious ailments and experience spiritual connection with the native
people.
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