Issues and Challenges in Pilgrimage Tourism

Abstract

Tourism has sustained continuous growth and is one of the largest industries today. Presently, there is a vast choice for tourists to select a destination. Religion is the oldest and most prominent stimulus for travel among believers/worshipers. Pilgrimage holds a sacred significance in each religion. Even though pilgrimage tourism has significant potential for revenue generation, foreign exchange earnings, and job creation, being inconsiderate, the tourism bodies have not yet taken significant measures to understand the needs/requirements of the pilgrims. This chapter systematically investigated the grey areas where tourists encounter challenges associated with the physical infrastructure of the sacred sites. The chapter holds significance to highlight the areas of improvement for the development of religious sites and destinations. The problems identified were categorized into two categories: on-site/on institution premises and at the destination level. The findings indicate a dearth of interpretive and reflexive approaches to address the needs and requirements of the pilgrims.