Exploring the Role of OpenStreetMap in Mapping Religious Tourism in Pakistan for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Religious tourism in Pakistan is a diverse and culturally rich sector poised for growth, yet facing numerous challenges, including infrastructure deficiencies, maintenance issues, security concerns, undiscovered potential, economic factors, cultural disparities, and data gaps. OpenStreetMap (OSM), a community-driven mapping platform, offers transformative solutions. OSM can empower users to map religious sites, provide information, improve accessibility, and advocate for cultural preservation. It can help in route planning, community engagement, tourism promotion, and economic empowerment. OSM can address Pakistan's challenges by mapping infrastructure, supporting maintenance, ensuring safety, promoting lesser-known sites, enhancing economic inclusivity, and fostering cultural harmony. Real-time data from OSM has the potential to empower sustainable tourism development.