Identifying Religious Tourism Potential Through Sustainable Approach

Abstract

Tourism has been observed as one of the biggest economic sectors in the service industry, which has significant social, cultural, environmental, and economic effects. Pilgrimage tourism is identified to be one of the prerequisites of sustainable tourism development which has the potential to reduce the effects of tourism. The present study aims to identify the potential of pilgrimage tourism in the state of Punjab (India), which has been an emerging tourist spot, due to its magnificently diverse religious tourist potential and rich cultural heritage. The purpose of the study is the assessment of tourist areas, highlighting the factors creating interruptions in sustainable tourism development and further suggesting suitable measures for the sustainable development of pilgrimage tourism in Punjab. A field-based survey was carried out at selected tourism spots in the study area. The result of the study brings feasible suggestions and recommendations for further development of tourism in this region.