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Ijrtp Volume 11(Vi) Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Razaq Raj, Carlos Fernandes

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

IJRTP Volume 11(vi) Title Page and Table of Contents

Tools To Persevere Towards A Challenging Goal: Lessons Learned About Grit Along The Way Of St. James, Ana Rita Nunes, Tânia Moreira, Armanda Pereira, Cleia Zanatta, Luísa Mota Ribeiro, Pedro Rosário

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Understanding the factors contributing to increased perseverance and passion toward long-term goals is an ongoing research challenge. The present study explores the inner drive of individuals to achieve meaningful goals over time, despite setbacks and challenges. The scenario chosen to uncover grit processes was the Way of St. James, a long pilgrimage demanding participants’ perseverance and passion for achieving their goals, despite hardship. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirty-one individuals completing the Way of St. James. Thematic analysis indicated three key themes contributing to improve the participants’ perseverance along the walk: behavioural tools (e.g., setting behavioural and time management goals), …

Exploring Pilgrims’ Perceptions Of Islamic Tour Operators In The United Kingdom: Insights For Improved Services, Shabir Ahmad, Kamran Siddiqui

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In recent years, religious tourism has gained popularity worldwide, with millions of people travelling to different destinations for religious purposes. The United Kingdom has a growing Muslim population, and Islamic religious tourism is no exception. However, little research has been conducted on the pilgrim’s perceptions of Islamic religious tour operators in the United Kingdom. Understanding these perceptions is essential for tour operators to provide better services and attract more customers. The present study aims to contribute to Islamic tourism research by assessing the perceptions of pilgrims toward religious tour operators in the United Kingdom. Employing a snowball sampling technique, this …

Santuario (Shrines): The Sustainable Religious Tourism Management Of Selected Philippine Congregation-Managed Marian Shrines, Janine Patricia P. Chuajap, Rizyl May C. Diamante, Angela Gabrielle S. Donguez, Francesca D. Metrillo, Chrisalyn O. Miralles, Renz Vincent C. Quicio, Roland D. Mactal, Jame Monren T. Mercado

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study assesses how sustainable tourism management is implemented in selected Philippine Marian Shrines, managed by religious congregations. In conducting the study, the researchers used a qualitative case study approach, as the data were collected using Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The study’s key informants (n=27) are the stakeholders of the two selected study sites. These include the congregation, staff members, tourism-related business owners, Barangay government representatives, local police officers, and local tourism representatives. The Repertory Grid methodology was utilised to analyse the data gathered. From the findings, the researchers developed the I.T.S.P. (Immersion, Tutelage, Stewardship, and Proposition): Sustainable Religious Tourism …

Religious Tourism Attractions At Debre Aron Rock-Hewn Church, Meket District, Northern Ethiopia, Tsegaye Ebabey Demissie

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Ethiopia, which has a diverse sacred cultural heritage, has enormous fortunes as far as religious tourism is concerned. Its ancient Christianity has left numerous religious and historical legacies, ranging from architecturally sophisticated sacred monuments to living religious practices. However, the development of these legacies for religious tourism is hindered mainly due to a lack of research and consideration by tourism developers. This study aims to investigate the potential tourism value of Debre Aron Monastery, which is one of the most overlooked religious sites in northern Ethiopia. To this end, the study’s data, which are analysed qualitatively, were collected through literature …

Impact Of Globalisation On Religious Tourism: The Case Of Vrindavan, India, Charlie Gupta, Ridhu Dhan Gahalot

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The term ‘religious tourism’ refers to travel that is primarily inspired by spiritual beliefs (Smith, 2012). It serves as one of humanity’s oldest religious practices as well as one of the earliest examples of tourism (Timothy, 2011). Due in the main to the numerous sacred places that are dispersed throughout its vast geographic area, India, which is known for its rich heritage and culture, has attracted attention from throughout the world (Eck, 2011; Singh, 2013). As a result, it has become a well-known location for religious tourism. During the past ten years, this specific type of tourism has seen a …

Spiritual Experience At The Arbaeen Pilgrimage: The Case Of Iranian Pilgrims, Ali Movahed, Mehdi Moazzeni, Behnam Kian

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Pilgrimages and other trips with spiritual motivation are one of the first forms of tourism, and today pilgrimage tourism in all its forms has become an important part of the global tourism market. The Arbaeen pilgrimage on foot is a memorable journey on the way to Karbala in Iraq, and most pilgrims, especially Iranians, choose to walk to Karbala from the city of Najaf for this purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the experiences of Iranian pilgrims who participate in the Arbaeen pilgrimage on foot and to explore what the pilgrims themselves say about their experiences, as …

Review Of: Hungarian Catholic Intellectuals In Contemporary Romania: Reforming Apostles By Marc Roscoe Loustau, Kamila Baraniecka-Olszewska

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Book Review of: Hungarian Catholic Intellectuals in Contemporary Romania: Reforming Apostles by Marc Roscoe Loustau

Review Of: Pilgrimage In The Christian Balkan World: The Path To Touch The Sacred And Holy, Edited By Dorina Dragnea, Emmanouil Ger. Varvounis, Evelyn Reuter, Petko Hristov And Susan Sorek, Igor Stamenkovic

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Book Review of: Pilgrimage in the Christian Balkan World: The Path to Touch the Sacred and Holy, edited by Dorina Dragnea, Emmanouil Ger. Varvounis, Evelyn Reuter, Petko Hristov and Susan Sorek

Development Of Bali Spirit Festival To Support Sustainable Spiritual Tourism, Mohamad Yusuf, I Putu Gede Eka Praptika

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Spiritual tourism has developed significantly through creative activities such as the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud, Bali. The aim of this paper is to analyse the practice of Bali Spirit Festival and its prospects for supporting tourism sustainability. The research design is descriptive-analytical and based on qualitative data. The data collection was done through in-depth interviews and a study of the literature. The research results reveal that spiritual tourism is oriented toward self-development based on religious values, culture, and nature without being exclusively tied to a specific religion. Further, the principles of spiritual tourism in Bali Spirit Festival can contribute …

Religious Tourism At Tana Chirkos & St. Kirstos Semra: Contemporary Issues And Prospects For Sustainable Tourism, Dagnachew Nega

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religious tourism is not a new phenomenon or new practice. It has recently received considerable attention in both academia and the public at large. However, even though Ethiopia is endowed with a variety of religious tourism activities, its contemporary issues, and future prospects haven’t been utilised, outlined and managed. In the Amhara region, in the South Gondar zone, Tana Chirkos and Kirstos Semra are among the outstanding sites where lots of religious travellers are going and religious tourism activities are held. Thus, this study stands with the general objective of investigating the issues and future prospects of religious tourism development …

Exploring The Conceptual Structure And Perspectives Of Religious-Spiritual And Wellness Tourism Research From The Destination Community: A Bibliometric Review, Priyanka Babu N, Sherry Abraham

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The conceptualisation of specific holistic tourism components (religious-spiritual-wellness tourism) and their influence on community well-being in contemporary literature appears complex and needs to be more specific. This research traces critical developments in religious-spiritual-wellness tourism and their relationship with community by reviewing published literature in the Scopus database from 1990 to 2020 using bibliometric analysis. The literature review includes three sub-areas: descriptive analysis, reference publication year spectroscopy, and network analysis. In demonstrating the trends and evolution, the study focuses on the social, conceptual, and intellectual structures in religious-spiritual-wellness tourism (RSWT) and community. The key findings indicate that the RSWT community is …

Integration Of Islamic Religious Values And Javanese Culture In The Development Of Pilgrimage Tourism In Ngawonggo, Indonesia, Mahatva Yoga Adi Pradana, Darsono Wisadirana, Muhammad Lukman Hakim, Ahmad Imron Rozuli

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Spiritual tourism prioritising religious aspects, is one of East Java’s oldest forms of tourism, especially in Malang district. This form of tourism has long developed since combining Islamic and Javanese values. The concept emerged along with the Indonesian halal tourism brand. As a form of contribution to the development of religious tourism, this study seeks to show the existence of traditional relations in aspects of Islamic pilgrimage as a form of tourist behaviour which involves visiting historical tourism in tourist villages. This research uses a qualitative methods with a case study which includes interviews and participatory observation that aims to …

Religious Tourism In An Atheistic Society: The Example Of The Czech Republic, Ivo Jirásek, Tereza Štěrbová

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

For a more accurate understanding of religious tourism, it is useful to distinguish between faith-based tourism, spiritual tourism and tourism in religious spaces. The former is characterized by religious faith (and processes of hierophany), the next by spirituality and transcendence experience, while the latter remains in the secular realm of experience. Based on this conceptual grasp, the paper presents the situation in the highly secular Czech Republic and investigates the opinions of service and offer providers in this type of tourism through interviews (n = 3). A comparison with the demand and preferences of tourism participants was collected through an …

Exploring The Potential Of Halal Tourism In A Non-Muslim Destination: The Case Of Portugal, João Domingues, Sofia Almeida

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Halal Tourism has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing and auspicious market segments within the tourism industry. The main goal of this study is to ascertain whether Portugal has the necessary capabilities to develop a sustainable and competitive halal tourism market and if it can attract Muslim travellers. This research applied a qualitative methodology based on in-depth interviews with representatives of businesses companies and institutions from various subsectors of the tourism industry. Moreover, a netnographic technique was applied to gather secondary information. The results reveal that despite Portugal having full potential and all the conditions to develop halal …

Fearless Women Travellers: Religion And More, Antonietta Ivona, Donatella Privitera

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The term ‘pilgrim’ is derived from the notion of pilgrimage. Historically a pilgrim was as a person who walked to a shrine or holy place out of religious motivation. Also, the experience of pilgrimage embodies the pilgrim’s desire to seek or manifest his or her identity and value as a person. Using gender as a lens, women in all cultures, sometimes even without the ability to read or write, have found ways to travel in spiritual ways of knowing. The testimonies of women travellers go back a long way in the centuries; there are many who have challenged the risks …

Religious Celebrations And Tradition: The Case Of ‘Panigiras’ In Sifnos Island, Polyxeni Moira, Dimitrios Mylonopoulos, Eleni Synagridi

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Religions presuppose a set of symbols that evoke feelings of respect or awe and are associated with various rituals (e.g. religious services) in which a community of believers is involved. Ritualistic religious acts include prayers, hymns, dances, use or abstinence from food, fasting, use of symbols, lighting a candle, offering food or flowers to a deity, etc. Religious worship rituals are performed individually by a person or collectively by groups of believers. The formal rituals are ceremonies which take place in sacred places such as churches, temples, mosques, pagodas (depending on religion). The informal rituals are festive events (e.g., fairs, …

Pilgrimage Routes As Opportunities For Local Development: Case Study Of The Way Of St James In The Alto Minho Region, Portugal, Mariana Oliveira, Goretti Silva

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The policies implemented by the Member States of the Council of Europe have as their main purpose to protect and realise the ideals and principles which are their common heritage and facilitate economic and social development (Statute, 1949). The Council of Europe considers cultural itineraries, including pilgrimage routes, which make a significant contribution to the cultural tourism sector, and a key role in territorial development policies, in economic, social, and cultural terms.

The Way of St James (Camino de Santiago), one of the main pilgrimage routes in the world, was the first Cultural Route certified by the Council of Europe …

Ways Of Saint James In The Interior North Of Portugal: An Analysis Of Touristic Routes, Pedro Ricardo Coelho De Azevedo

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Ways of Saint James are ancient routes of pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela travelled from the 9th century and which in recent years have seen a profound revitalisation of tourism, based on the conversion of these routes into tourist-cultural routes, which in turn allows these routes to be valued and the existing heritage assets to be articulated. This study has as main goals to identify and analyse the transformation of the existing Ways of Saint James in the interior north of Portugal into tourist-cultural routes. At the same time, it is intended to demonstrate how these tourist routes allow …

Editorial: Pilgrimage-Induced Transformations: The 12th Annual International Religious Tourism & Pilgrimage Conference In Braga, Emese Panyik, Vincent Zammit

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

‘Unlikely Adventures’ In Sacred And Secular Space: India And The Sikh Diaspora, Dorothy Lane

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Sikh relationship with pilgrimage models is ambivalent and complicated; however, this relationship has been revived and reinvented because of several historical, cultural, and political transitions: the extensive Sikh diaspora; familiarity of pilgrimage in the Indian subcontinent; the effects of Partition and Sikh independence initiatives; and the secular and tourist components of pilgrimage. The shift from adherence to the wisdom of the Guru as the focus of the pious life to a physical journey involving geographical sites is a phenomenon that partly resulted from the partition of the Punjab in 1947; thus, the personal, social, and spiritual intersect intriguingly with …

Peregrinatio Interrupta: An Eclectic Success Of A Failed Pilgrimage, Noel Buttigieg, Dane Munro

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

This study explores the case study of two Quaker nuns, Ms Catherine Evans and Ms Sarah Cheevers. Their coincidental connection with the Mediterranean island of Malta caught the attention of several researchers, primarily interested in the micro history of the Quakers movement. Originally, Evans and Cheevers were entrusted to travel to Jerusalem, expecting to convert Christians at the epicentre of Christianity to Quakerism. After their ship called into the port of Malta en route to the Holy Land, their mission was interrupted due to their polarising and confrontational behaviour towards the Holy Office of the Roman Inquisition. Their intended short …

Exploring Memorable Sacred Tourism Experiences And Place Attachment, Carla Silva, José Luís Abrantes, Manuel Reis, Cláudia Seabra

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Ever since people have travelled to sacred places, religious and sacred sites have become some of the most visited destinations globally (Griftiths, 2011; Nyaupane et al., 2015), providing fascinating forms of travel (Griffin & Raj, 2017). However, despite the global importance and popularity of religious tourism and sacred places, few studies measure the tourists’ experiences in those destinations (Albayrak et al., 2018). Moreover, the standardisation of tourism products, including sacred ones, and the competitive market, requires that tourism destinations distinguish themselves by creating unique experiences. Currently, tourists seek appealing, unique, and memorable experiences that enhance their emotional link with tourism …

Ijrtp Volume 11(V) Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Razaq Raj, Carlos Fernandes, Vincent Zammit, Emese Panyik

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

No abstract provided.

Mapping Pilgrimage In The Marketplace: Social Contexts Of Bisnis Hajj Dan Umroh In Indonesia, Shin Yasuda

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

in which private commercial tour operators organise pilgrimages to Makkah (hajj and umrah). As a result, the development of these religious tour operators has formed a market, which is described as bisnis hajj dan umroh (pilgrimage business). Thus, this study examines social space and context in the commodification of Islam in Indonesia, by analysing the bisnis hajj dan umroh. In conclusion, the study shows that the development of the pilgrimage market in Indonesia has cultivated new social space among stakeholders, and creates social context based on individual piety, connecting economic development with personal spiritual commitment. The quality, popularity, and …

Universal Accessibility On The Portuguese Coastal Way To Santiago In Porto Municipality, Fátima Matos De Silva, Isabel Borges, Marta Arreiol

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

In this article, the authors seek to understand if improvement to the conditions of universal accessibility on the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago was one of the factors that contributed to the development of this Way and consequently the increase of pilgrims.

To this end, an evolutionary analysis of the number of pilgrims was carried out, which involved a study of the universal accessibility of the Portuguese Coastal Way to Santiago and its religious heritage in the municipality of Porto. An analysis was also undertaken of the guiding and explanatory signage and the elements of innovation introduced, as well as …

The Representation And Definition Of Shinto Within Travel Guidebooks, Pascal Von Beuningen

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Japan is a country that is home to polytheistic religions, namely Buddhism and Shintoism. However, in comparison to Buddhism, which is spread widely, Shinto is mainly found in Japan. Thus, foreign visitors are most likely to encounter Shinto and Shinto shrines for the first time when they visit Japan. It can be argued that developing an understanding of the major religion(s) of a country can enhance cultural understanding. However, a clear definition of Shinto is an ongoing debate in Japan and among scholars across the world. Hence, this research tries to understand through Content Analysis of English and German language …

Events, Christian Faith Communities, And The Public Square, Ruth Dowson (Rev.), Daniel H. Olsen

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

Living as members of a faith community can be problematic in world regions where secularism controls the public sphere. The secularisation of European society, for example, has made it more difficult for religious groups to have a voice in public affairs. However, in many instances, religion has seen a revitalised role in the public square. Even in places where religion is believed to be best served as a muted witness in the private realm, Jews, Christians, and Muslims share a long tradition and heritage of political dissent, such as gathering on street corners to express their faith and their views. …

Strategic Intelligence For Sacred Sites, Pierre Fournie

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The polysemous aspect of pilgrimage constitutes a very old human activity, sometimes religious and alternatively secular, make it a complex matter to approach and handle. The exact number of pilgrims visiting sacred sites remains undetermined, and ranges, according to sources, between 200 and 400 million people yearly (Griffin & Raj, 2017). Pilgrimages are often associated with tourism and generate, in several countries, comfortable amounts of revenue. Public or private companies manage sacred sites and at the same time, areas of services for pilgrims and accompanying persons, and an intense network of shops, places for food and accommodation, grow, sometimes haphazardly. …

Representation Of Pre-Christian Baltic Religion In The Balts’ Road Tourism Route In Lithuania And Latvia, Michael Strmiska

International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage

The Balts’ Road tourism route in Latvia and Lithuania is an interesting example of how religious tourism may be packaged within a framework of cultural heritage tourism. The Balts’ Road offers travellers insight into the medieval Baltic world before the coming of Christianity. In this context, pre-Christian religious beliefs and practices constitute but one dimension of the historical tableau that the tourism route is intended to conjure. This article examines the manner in which the pre-Christian Baltic religion is represented on the Balts’ Road, displaying a certain ambivalence that seems related to the past religious history and current religious power …