(2015, September 19). Johanson, Mark. (2012, March 8). Butt, Riazat. (2016). Although it traditionally advertises its historical attractions, religious development has been largely left out (Egresi et al., 2012). There are many potential benefits of religious tourism, however they tend to be greater for the tourists rather than the locals. (2014). Analysis is readily available on the profitability of domestic religious tourism, and the commercialization of faith tourism is extremely evident, with investors continually creating and  strengthening projects each year (Noah problem, 2011). Israel has capitalized on this desire to increase its annual revenue, with 53% of its 3.54 tourists in 2013 being Christians. Luxury accommodations on Hajj are also on the rise, with first class flights and hotels catering to wealthier patrons receiving further development. The influences of religious tourism are present in London as well. For people of other religions, they go, and it’s definitely good because not just as a source of money for the country, but also to bridge the gaps between religions and try and break down stereotypes and teach people about other religions and make them more tolerant. It is a highly lucrative industry, with many in the business selling luxury accommodations and faith-deepening retreats to customers of all the world’s faiths. Hajj and Umrah as a Revenue Boon for Saudi Arabia. There are many benefits of religious tourism because people have the opportunity to learn so much about their own and other cultures, lifestyles, and religions. Being surrounded by others provides for the opportunity to observe their culture, clothes, food, and religious differences. The relationship between types of tourism services offered and their likely profitability is established. It is crucial that the destination and/or service not be perceived in any way false or a scam; otherwise, the potential customer pool dwindles greatly. State awards $18 million tax break to Noah’s Ark theme park. Gho, Julia. Similarly, Sikhism, also local to South Asia and feeding off of a large expatriate community, draws 13 million annually to Amritsar, the holiest site in its faith, which has transformed the area into a tourism powerhouse (Pilgrimage statistics, 2011). Does increased financial temptation presented by businesses to religious persons compromise the purity of intent held by pilgrims? Due to the large lack of hard numbers regarding combined profits of this subset of the tourism industry as a whole, expenditure habits will be explored largely on a case by case basis through examining holistically the practices and profits of individual businesses catering to specific religions and statistical estimates provided by host countries. Pennies from heaven; Religious tourism. Should church-state separation be maintained, or should a state target faith tourists and promote its local religious sites through official partnerships? Crosenberg, Joel. However, there are concerns about the corruption of religious integrity of Mecca and Medina in the wake of “swelling crowds [that] are changing the holy places beyond recognition” (Prepping for the pilgrimage, 2015). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279842278_UNLOCKING_THE_POTENTIAL_OF_RELIGIOUS_TOURISM_IN_TURKEY. On another note, the locals are constantly given the opportunity to observe the tourists. Religious Tourism, Public Relations and Church-State Partnerships. Hindu religious festival Kumbh Mela brings millions to the Ganges. Tilson, D. D. J. Saudi Arabia to move from oil, earn more from Hajj. Blackford, Linda. Saudi Arabia also works to make its services available to as many Muslims as possible, given the universalizing nature of Islam. No taxes for Bible theme park. It is estimated that over 2 million people visited Mecca in December of 2014 as part of the Hajj, one of the mandatory five pillars of Islam as required by the Quran (Ludovica, 2014). (2013). It has not done much to mitigate criticism from the UAE’s neighbors about how it caters to Westerners, however. China's Islamic-Themed 'Hui Culture Park' Is No Tourism Mecca. Hajj 2014 in Numbers: Over 2 million Muslims Expected for Holy Pilgrimage to Mecca. The location is nearby the company’s prior investment, the Creation Museum, another faith tourism destination. Effective Management of Customer Perceptions. Religious tourists learn the lifestyles of the people around them and start to understand exactly what those people value, whether it is family, making money, or providing knowledge to others of their religion or faith. The importance of the Religious Tourism Market. http://www.ibtimes.com/dubais-holy-quran-theme-park-appease-regional-tourists-1317281. The people from London are effected by the religious tourists from the crowded public transportation, restaurants, parks, and other public places. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=va_s_128_0920&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA345258273&asid=dd31a4e65e225d1f0b991cc70c04ecc5, Pilgrimage statistics. (2014, Summer). In general, benefits include observing and learning about the intended religion, people in their group of travelers and from the tourist area, culture, food, lifestyle and customs, and buildings or the environment. Religious tourism has taken place since the dawn of civilisation. The researcher has no affiliations to any religious organizations and self-identifies as an atheist. Rural businesses typically tend to struggle if they have no established, well-known cultural significance. 122 Indonesians die in hajj pilgrimage. There are many potential benefits of religious tourism, however they tend to be greater for… Turkey’s intent to expand advertising efforts to religious groups proves promising for drawing in tourists from lesser reached countries across the globe, largely in Asia. It is also important, however, to not dull the sacredness of the religious site by giving it a bland message that appeals to all. There is so much to learn when one goes on a religious tourism adventure that it is close to impossible for someone to be a religious tourist and not take anything away from such an experience. Worldwide, the potential market for this type of tourism is immense, especially given that most travelers of this variety move in groups. (2014). (2016). At least 224 thousand people came from Indonesia alone in 2010 (122 Indonesians, 2010). There are so many observations to be made that can enrich religious tourists, not only regarding religious benefits. By being immersed into another culture, outsiders are forced to catch on and follow the culture they are presented with. The idea of the religious pilgrimage begins almost with the dawn of humanity. Dallas, Kelsey. The paper analyzes the economic viability of various types of religious tourism, with a particular emphasis on pilgrimage-based moneymaking. Other similar investments include hotel development Raffles, “which in 2010 opened the spa-equipped Makkah Palace.” Also significant is “Abraj al-Bait, a complex of luxury hotels, malls and apartments” totaling to an estimated value of $3 billion (Butt, 2010).Such corporate investment directly contributes to the growth of pilgrimages in Saudi Arabia’s GDP, with an estimated three percent being from Hajj pilgrimages alone. As a secular nation, Turkey welcomes people of all faiths to visit and spend their money in the country. https://www.rt.com/viral/342973-muslim-communist-theme-park/. Also called faith tourism, it encompasses pilgrimages, missionary trips, monastery stays, camps, cruises, conferences, and more, as well as individual faith-strengthening trips (The importance of, 2014). Is the environmental penalty of increasing international pilgrim travel worth the cost to the Earth? Retrieved from. Prepping for the pilgrimage; Muslims head for Mecca. (2013). The most key factor in effectively establishing and managing a faith-based business venture is to avoid negative press. Muslim communist theme park set for China to bolster ties with Middle East. It celebrates the cultural heritage of Vietnam and is abundantly decorated with Buddhist statues, drawing hordes of tourists domestically and from abroad (History, 2016). During Kumbh Mela, a Hindu festival in India, a staggering 80 million people are estimated to have visited the Ganges river to bathe in 2013 (Gho, 2013). Pope Francis drew 6 million to the Vatican in 2014. https://cruxnow.com/church/2014/12/29/pope-francis-drew-6-million-to-the-vatican-in-2014/. http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=va_s_128_0920&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA148626623&asid=6364d1b4c854e2a604b2d8ab2a67f612. (2010, November 17). In 2014, 6 million people visited the Vatican (Allen, 2014). Noah problem; Christian theme parks. They can notice the tourists’ different clothing styles, eating habits, and how religious they are. Visitors realize mannerisms of restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and others working with the public. http://suoitien.com/en/lich-su-hinh-thanh-2/, http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=va_s_128_0920&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA71969945&asid=7b99a68db1430d0c343165b77573fb2b. Governments willingly invest in and give tax breaks to religious businesses in order to draw in tourism dollars and bolster local economies (Pennies from heaven, 2013). This paper analyzes examples of what constitutes religious tourism, businesses connected to the industry as a whole (hotels, theme parks), and viability and expansion as an industry, as well as the ethics of faith tourism. Many sites in Israel are of religious significance to Christians, Jews and Muslims. Geopolitics, History, and International Relations, http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?p=GPS&sw=w&u=va_s_128_0920&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA434793921&asid=2aa8b4b810fdefb73665799cfbbadaf2. One such business catering specifically to pilgrimage sites in the Middle East, Range Hospitality, has made bold strides by allocating $500 million to build five-star investments in Saudi Arabia (. In my opinion, it is much more satisfying to practice a religion that I truly understand and have learned to value rather than observe it as an outsider who was brought into it through family norms. Similarly, lifestyles and customs are observed as well. (2001, Fall). Goodstein, Laurie. Faith theme that parks run on fundamentalist faith alone are not a viable strategy for sustaining continued profits. The increase in volume of travellers is due largely in thanks to the strengthened purchasing power of Islamic middle classes worldwide and the increased ease and affordability of travel. However, they do get the opportunity to see how respectful outsides might be. International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. Governments willingly invest in and give tax breaks to religious businesses in order to draw in tourism dollars and bolster local economies (Pennies from heaven, 2013). Why do the ancient prophecies say this “little town” is so important?. The customs practiced within a culture can be quite obvious and often throw tourists off guard. Not to say that there is no market for it, however. An obvious benefit of religious tourism, observing and learning about the intended religion, is something people tend to focus on. Along with people’s customs, tourists learn about the buildings and environments in these religiously sacred locations. Literature Review. Religious tourism is the traveling of an individual or a group of individuals of a specific religion or faith to a location that holds religious impact. | eTurboNews | Trends | Travel News | (2016). http://www.nbcnews.com/news/china/china-s-islamic-themed-hui-culture-park-no-tourism-mecca-n588036. It is regularly hailed as one of the Asia’s best tourist attractions and a boon for the country. The business practices addressed in this article raise concerns about the commercialization of the pilgrimage process. Million people visited the Vatican ( Allen, 2014 ) touches upon moral questions and media management related managing... Boutte, A., & Moraru, G. ( 2015 ) learn about the intended religion, is something tend. United States-based Christian theme park project ( Muslim communist theme park to Appease tourists... 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