Contemporary Religious Tourism Multidisciplinary insights, Environmental Engagement, and Community Impact

This book explores the multifaceted impact of religious tourism on prominent global destinations, addressing significant research gaps in this evolving field. Religious tourism, driven by complex psychosocial motives, particularly religious and spiritual needs, has long influenced travel behavior. Pilgrimages, a key aspect of religious tourism, are examined in depth, highlighting their role in fulfilling spiritual and material needs across various belief systems. The book investigates the intricate relationship between religion and tourism, considering factors such as authenticity, emotional solidarity, pro-environmental behaviors, and the educational aspects of spiritual journeys.

With case studies from diverse regions such as Greece, India, Italy, and Bulgaria, the book offers a global perspective on how religious tourism intersects with marketing, economics, social development, and sustainability. This volume provides valuable insights for academics, practitioners, and policymakers interested in the profound and diverse implications of religious tourism in different cultural and geographical contexts.

1. Introduction.- Part 1: Tourism, Religion, and Spiritual Journeys.- 2. Religious Tourism: Unveiling the Role of Authenticity and Emotional Solidarity in Enhancing Tourists’ Memorable Experiences and Destination Loyalty.- 3. Role of Religion in Engaging Religious Tourists in Pro-Environmental Behavior.- 4. Immersive and Transformative Spiritual Experiences: From the Inner Self to the Sense of Belonging to a Community.- 5. Religious Tourism as an Educational Experience.- 6. Exploring the Multifaceted Impact of Religious Tourism: A Multidisciplinary Perspective.- 7. Exploring the Dynamics of Religious Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis of Pilgrimage Sites and Modern Trends.- 8. A Profile Analysis of Travelers Participating in a Mass Gathering Religious Event.- 9. Religious Tourism Phenomena Evolution and Future Research Perspectives.- Part 2: Case Studies: Intersections Between Tourism and Religion.- 10. Tourist Destination Placement and Supported Architectural Digital Tools for Cultural Pilgrimage Tourism – Lefkada Island.- 11. Religious Tourism and Local Development in Samos Island.- 12. Sustainable Development Practices in Tourism and Hospitality Industry: The Case Study of Garhwal Himalayan Region of Uttarakhand, India.- 13. A Heavenly Trail: The Cammino Celeste as a Non-Place of Personal Religion for a Self-Healing Religious Walk Experience.- 14. Determinants of the Development of Religious Tourism in Greece.- 15. Religious tourism in Greece: current status and future development.- 16. Religious tourism in Greece: current status and future development.- 17. Strategic management in Catholic tourist destinations and their territorial network of stakeholders: Examining their life cycle for the present and future of religious tourism.- 18. Identity deconstruction through pilgrimage in Lhasa.- 19. Micro-pilgrimage as a ritual of commemorating fighters for freedom in Romania.- 20. An Overview of Religious Tourism with Special Reference to Shakti Peeths in Odisha, India.

Marco Valeri is Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at Niccolò Cusano University, Italy, and holds a PhD in Strategic Management and Organizational Behavior from "Tor Vergata" University. He holds various academic positions across Europe and Asia. His teaching and research focus on strategic management, sustainability, knowledge management, and international hospitality. He serves on editorial boards and has extensive international academic experience.