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Ijtgr Volume 4 & 5 Table Of Contents, Kevin A. Griffin, Luis Miguel Brito, Glen Farrugia

International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Table of contents for Volume 4 & 5 of the International Journal of Tour Guiding and Visitor Attraction Research

Community Empowerment For Strengthening The Local Economy Based On Cultural Heritage In Kampung Tudong, Pontianak City, Siti Fatimah, Egy Abdi, Winda Chelsea Meisari

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

Kampung Tudong, located in Bansir Laut Subdistrict Pontianak City represents a local community that has successfully revitalized its cultural heritage through a traditional product called Tudong (a protective cover) made from mengkuang leaves that has existed since 1915. This product not only serves a functional purpose for the local community but also symbolizes cultural identity and has become a driver of the local economy across generations. The establishment of Kampung Tudong was driven by local residents’ concern for social and economic conditions and their independent initiative to build a craftsman village for Tudong production. This study employs a qualitative approach …

Literary And Artistic Property Rights Between Regular Courts And Administrative Courts: A Comparative Study Of Jordan And Egypt, Noor Al-Hindi

Jordan Journal of Applied Science-Humanities Series

This study addresses literary and artistic property rights within the context of the ordinary and administrative judiciary, focusing on the legal framework for the deposit of these rights under the Jordanian and Egyptian Copyright and Neighboring Rights Protection Laws. The research findings indicate that legal deposit is an obligation of the rights holders of the work to submit a copy of the published work to a government authority. In Egypt, the rights holder is required to submit a licensing application to the General Department for the Control of Works, accompanied by certain data. The department is responsible for maintaining records …

Students' Purchase Intention Of Street Food In Front Of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Cavite, Patricia Jana J. Abeabe, Shanin S. Albios, Brent Louis C. Aure, Jimford U. Tabuyo

ICHRIE Research Reports

This study examined the factors that influence students' buying intentions for street food. A quantitative descriptive research design was employed to assess students' purchasing intentions toward street food in front of De La Salle University - Dasmariñas Gate 1. The study utilized convenience sampling, with 371 respondents consisting of undergraduate, masters, and doctoral students. Data were collected through an online survey using a Four-Point Likert Scale questionnaire. Statistical tools are weighted mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) T-test. The findings revealed that perceived food quality and convenience significantly influenced students' buying intentions, while perceived food value also played a crucial …

Re-Imagine Paradise: The Impacts Of The Illegal Annexation Of Hawai'i & Tourism On Native Hawaiians, Paige Edwards

SMU Journal of Undergraduate Research

This literature review presents a vital exploration of colonialism, the illegal annexation of Hawai’i, and the subsequent emergence of the tourism industry as a neocolonial enterprise. Neocolonialism is the process of colonial dominance through modern exploitation, which is masked through economic opportunities and has left territories and their native people dependent on it. By tracing the major historical events in Hawai’i highlights how education was a vital aspect of Native Hawaiian culture, empowering its people - a stark contrast to the current education system where the education system perpetuates the commodification of Native Hawaiian culture. Education has played a pivotal …

Telkomsel Siaga Rafi Annual Event Strategy To Improve Brand Image By Senusa Indonesia, Margareta Manalu, Qusnul Khotimah, Alain Rishi Zacharias

Journal of Indonesian Tourism and Policy Studies

This research aims to analyze the strategy of Telkomsel Siaga RAFI annual event organized by Senusa Indonesia in order to improve Telkomsel's brand image. Through this activity, Telkomsel seeks to strengthen relationships with customers and expand its social reach, especially during Ramadan and Idul Fitri 2025. The main focus of this final report is to explore the role of event management strategies in influencing the brand image of Telkomsel. Using brand image theory and direct observation techniques, this research also identifies the steps taken by Senusa Indonesia in designing and implementing events that include knowledge sharing and donations. The results …

Examining Whiteness: A Narrative Inquiry Into Racial Identity Among White Women In Study Abroad Programs, Audrey Moreno Townsend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to better understand race in contexts both domestically and abroad through the perspectives and experiences of white women who studied abroad outside of Europe and the Anglosphere. The investigation explored on how these experiences shaped white women’s understanding of racial identity upon returning to their home institutions. The research question which was addressed was: How do white women experience study abroad programming? Research highlights a critical gap in existing literature on this topic. While white women are centered in the study, it is contextualized considering how People of Color experience the world. …

Shark Wildlife Tourism’S Influence On Conservation Efforts, Elizabeth C. Saraf

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Shark wildlife tourism has the potential to shape pro-environmental values and attitudes, fostering meaningful conservation behaviors. Understanding the influence of participating in shark tourism activities provides valuable insights into its effectiveness as a conservation tool. This study compared different intervention types related to wildlife tourism, including both direct (i.e., swimming with sharks) and indirect (i.e., viewing a related documentary) interactions with sharks. To evaluate the impact of these intervention events, participants were surveyed at three time intervals: before, immediately afterwards, and one month after the event. The surveys assessed respondents’ psychological constructs related to the environment, specifically their value orientations, …

Do Themes Improve Visitor Outcomes In Interpretive Programs?, Amber K. Hawes

All Theses

Thematic interpretation is widely promoted as being integral to an effective interpretive program. Some studies have suggested that thematic interpretation may enhance visitor outcomes; however, park visitor demographics have changed over the last decade, and others have suggested alternative approaches. In this study, we systematically observed live interpretive programs at 330 programs at 52 National Parks across the United States, monitored the extent and characteristics of theme usage, and collected visitor surveys immediately following each program. We used these data to determine the influence of the presence and characteristics of themes and theme questions on visitor outcomes. The results suggest …

When Culture Becomes Law: Mayan Heritage And The New Constitutional Recognition Of Collective Rights In Mexico, José Israel Herrera, Victor Manuel Colli Ek

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract. The constitutional reform of September 30, 2024 to article 2 marks a substantive change in the recognition of indigenous peoples as subjects of public law, with their own patrimony, valid normative systems and express right to conserve, protect and develop their cultural, material and immaterial heritage. This article analyzes the legal implications of this reform in the context of the Maya people, especially with regard to collective intellectual property, the right to prior consultation and the constitutional recognition of bioculturality. A critical reading of the new normative framework is proposed, with emphasis on its transformative potential for the territorial …

Extractivism And Water Crisis In The Moroccan Draa Oasis: Global South Reflections On Responsibility And Resistance, Ahmed El Khatabi

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract. The Draa Oasis in southeastern Morocco is experiencing severe water scarcity, driven by climate change and intensified by the expansion of watermelon agribusiness and desert tourism. This article explores how external investors, empowered by national agricultural policies, have disrupted traditional water governance systems rooted in collective management. Through ethnographic fieldwork involving interviews, focus groups, and spatial mapping, the study examines the socio-environmental consequences of groundwater depletion and land commodification. It argues that investors fail to assume ethical accountability for the ecological degradation they cause, despite being aware of the oasis’s fragile ecosystem. Meanwhile, local communities and civil society actors …

Vulnerabilidad Socioambiental A Inundaciones En Dos Humedales De San Cristóbal De Las Casas, Chiapas, México, Ender Fabian Toledo Alcázar, Salvador Adame Martínez, Marcelino García Benítez

Journal of Maya Heritage

Abstract

This study encompasses the following urban wetlands: "La Kisst," situated in the city center, and "María Eugenia," located in the southern part of the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. There are four wetlands within the municipality, all of which have been protected as natural areas by a Ramsar decree since 2008. The research aims to assess the socio-environmental vulnerability of the two wetlands using indicators in the environmental, social, and legal dimensions, thereby establishing the degree of vulnerability of the urban population exposed to flooding. The methodological process is defined by the proposal of CENAPRED, which establishes …

L2) The Bountiful: Mormon Tourism On Islamic Land? Examining Lds Church Members Intentions Toward Arabia, Kristel A. Kessler

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The Sultanate of Oman has gathered interest from scholars due to its potential connections to the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (often referred to as the LDS Church or Mormon Church). Discussions have centred around the narrative of prophet Lehi, who constructed a ship to reach the promised land, as described in the Book of Mormon. This account details his journey to a land referred to as "Bountiful" during his exodus from Jerusalem. Recent explorations suggest that Khor Kharfot in the Dhofar region may be the most plausible location of Bountiful and could even contain …

L1) Modern Day Saints And The Production Of Contemporary Pilgrimage Sites: Analysis Of Padre Pio Of San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy And Sai Baba Of Shirdi, India, Kiran A. Shinde

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Places valorised by saints have attracted pilgrimage for a very long time as devotion to saints is a way to achieve both material wellbeing and spiritual growth. Yet, the cult following of modern-day saints in contemporary societies has become a topic for exploration only in recent years (Di Giovine, 2010; Srinivas, 2008). A few excellent hagiographies discuss the material and non-material world created around charismatic modern-day saints (Shepherd, 1986). Adding to this scholarship, this paper aims to explore the creation of contemporary pilgrimage landscape of modern-day saints using a cross-culture comparative analysis. The saints are Padre Pio of San Giovanni …

K2) A Pilgrimage Site As A Votive Offering: The Cases Of The Giant Statues Of Mar Charbel In Faraya And Hammana (Lebanon), Nour Farra Haddad

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Lebanon is located at the extreme east of the Mediterranean Sea and sandwiched between Syria and Israel/Palestine. What make this small country different from the others in the region are the close distances between the mountains, the sea and the green landscapes in the middle of deserted plains as well as its religious diversity with eighteen different communities.

The constant evolution of sacred geography in Lebanon testifies to the importance of Christian and Muslim religious markers in the landscape. The different communities have never stopped developing and building churches, monasteries, mosques, maqams and oratories. We have also seen that in …

K1) Understanding The Role Of Constraints In A Religious Destination - A Text-Mining Approach, Ariadna Gassiot Melian, Silvia Aulet Serrallonga

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Precedents of inclusive tourism research are linked to analyzing the lack of participation of individual in different activities. Consequently, the exclusion of individuals in different experiences because of different reasons was described and addressed. Thus, one of the most important elements in accessible tourism research is tourism constraints. These can be defined as inhibitors and determinants of travel behavior.

It is widely known that individuals with disabilities are disproportionately impacted by constraints (Smith, 1987). These constraints can affect their behavior in multiple ways, such as preventing them from engaging in certain activities (Crawford, Jackson, & Godbey, 1991), influencing their preferences …

K4) Family Pilgrimage To Rome For The Jubilee Year, Kevin A. Griffin, Patrick Donnelly

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

This paper brings together two connected, yet seemingly unrelated strands of research. The first portion of the paper considers the Catholic Jubilee Year, 2025, its significance and related pilgrimage activities that are facilitated in Rome at this important time. The paper briefly outlines the theological and biblical significance of this special year of reconciliation and forgiveness which occurs every 25 years and draws millions of international pilgrims to Rome.

While seemingly entirely different, the second theme to be explored in the paper is the concept of Family Pilgrimage. According to Jenkins and Roszack (2023), the vast majority of pilgrim literature …

K3) Religious Tourism In A Key Textual Perspective: Spiritual Authenticity And Cultural Heritage, Ninfa Pagano, Walter Spezzano Aulet Serrallonga

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Over the last few decades religious tourism has emerged as a growing, relevant sector in international tourism industry. It is estimated that approximately 300 million visitors per year go on pilgrimages and the global number continually increases (Syngh & Bhuyan, 2024).

The purpose of the present study is twofold: first, as major pilgrimage destinations strategically employ tourism discourse (Dann, 1996; Maci, 2020), this paper critically examines English tourism discourse as used on the official website Jubilee 2025. Second, it investigates how religious tourism itineraries, promoted on the website, are discursively framed to engage international visitors (Wodak & Meyer, 2015). Indeed, …

L4) Sacred Or Sold? Balancing Spirituality And Commercialisation In Pilgrimage And Faith-Based Tourism, Tadeja A. Jere Jakulin, Dane Spezzano Munro

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

This study adopts an interpretivist paradigm, framed by systems thinking and grounded in ethnographic methodology, to examine the role of Marian pilgrimage souvenirs in the intersection of faith, commerce, and material culture at the pilgrims’ sites of Malta, Lourdes (France) and Brezje (Slovenia). The choice of these approaches is dictated by the nature of the subject itself: sacred souvenirs are not merely objects but elements within a larger network of belief, ritual, economic structures, and pilgrimage dynamics. An interpretivist approach is necessary to account for the subjective and constructed meanings assigned to these souvenirs by pilgrims, shopkeepers, and religious institutions. …

L3) Do Religious Travels Transform Visitors And Affect Their Psychological Well-Being? A Study On Turkish Pilgrims Visiting Mecca, Nuray A. Turker, Sibel Spezzano Ayyildiz

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Transformational tourism is a concept that emphasizes the personal and spiritual growth that travelers can experience through their journeys, particularly in the context of religious or spiritual trips. Religious journeys can significantly influence travelers, affecting their perspectives, beliefs, and overall life trajectory. These experiences foster reflection, encourage deep immersion, and create a sense of connection to the divine, which can lead to meaningful lifestyle changes. The transformative potential of such trips highlights the importance of understanding tourism not just as leisure activity but as a path to personal and communal development. This research aims to explore the transformative impact of …

J4) Regenerating Responsible Tourism - Conceptual Framework In Context Of Religious And Spiritual Destinations, Tomasz Duda, Anna Gardzinska

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

In the times of global challenges related to excessive tourist activity, environmental degradation, and the commercialization of sites of particular cultural and religious significance, the need for a regenerative approach to tourism is still growing. Responsible tourism, based on the principles of sustainable development and respect for local values, is an important element of this transformation. The aim of this presentation is to develop a conceptual framework for regenerating responsible tourism in the context of religious and spiritual destinations.

The study includes a literature review on responsible tourism, sustainable development, and regenerative management strategies for sacred sites. Based on qualitative …

I1) Territorial Development And Religious Tourism: A Bibliometric Analysis, Salvatore F. Iannolino

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The connection between religious tourism and territorial development is rooted in the enhancement of places of worship, spiritual itineraries, and local traditions, which serve as catalysts for the socioeconomic and cultural regeneration of regions (Cerutti & Piva, 2015; González-González & Fernández-Álvarez, 2022). This type of tourism is characterized by a strong sense of identity and the ability to activate often-overlooked endogenous resources such as abbeys, sanctuaries, hermitages, and devotional routes (Azevedo, 2021). Promoting this form of tourism within a territory stimulates the local economy through the development of a tailored hospitality system, craftsmanship that caters to the needs of pilgrims, …

I2) Managing And Promoting A Religious Route: A Pilot Project Experience In Sicily (Italy) - The Itinerarium Rosaliae, Susanna F. Gristina

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism is a rapidly growing sector with significant economic and cultural impacts worldwide, with 330 million people undertaking religious journeys each year. In Europe, Italy leads in this field, with religious routes playing an essential and expanding role in boosting tourism and local economies, driven by increased interest in spiritual and cultural pathways. Recognising the important contribution of religious paths to economic growth in the areas - often rural - that they pass through, the Italian Ministry of Tourism has allocated funds and created a national catalogue of religious routes to support their maintenance, management, and promotion. This is …

J2) Impact Of Tourism On Corsican’S Religion, Pierre-François Marchiani

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

In the 60s Corsica underwent a transformation with the rise of tourism and a new influx of population. Since then, the importance of tourism on the island has only increased to reach in 2023, 3 millions visitors, for only 350.000 inhabitants, and 39% of the Corsica’s GDP . The sheer volume of visitors is having a real impact on the Corsican way of life, not only economically but also culturally and perhaps religiously. At least that’s what we’re going to question in this communication.

9 out of 10 Corsicans claiming to be Catholic, quite quickly the Church of Corsica took …

J1) Virtual Reality And Multifaith Pilgrimage: Assessing The Impact Of Vr Technology On Religious Tourism Across Different Traditions, Md. Javed Kawsar, Rashed Khan

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism has traditionally been a deeply immersive, physical experience, drawing in millions of pilgrims to sacred sites across different faiths. However, with advancements in Virtual Reality (VR) technology, religious tourism is evolving to offer virtual experiences of these sacred spaces. VR's potential to make sacred journeys more accessible, especially for individuals facing physical, financial, or geopolitical barriers. While VR enhances interfaith understanding and can complement traditional pilgrimages through immersive and educational experiences, it raises critical questions about spiritual authenticity, theological legitimacy, and ethical use. However, VR is not a full replacement for physical pilgrimage due to its limitations in …

I3) Monastic Botanical Gardens: Medicinal Plants, Cultural Heritage, And Tourist Routes, Dimitrios Mylonopoulos, Polyxeni Moira

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

From the dawn of humanity, man have sought remedies for various illnesses and health issues in the natural environment. Herbal medicine has been at the forefront of humanity's therapeutic pursuits since the beginning of time. The natural environment, of which humans are a part, constitutes the first laboratory for the production of medicines. Medicinal botany can be traced back to ancient Greece, continues in ancient Rome, is closely linked to Islamic tradition, and persists through the rise of Christianity in monasteries, enduring to the present day.

Today, the use of herbs in monasteries remains alive and well preserved. Monastic botanical …

J3) The Use Of Ai-Based Eye Trackers In Catholic Sanctuaries: A Possible Contribution To The Study Of Pilgrimage Experiences, Marco Papasidero

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

The advent of AI has opened new avenues of research, one of which is the recent study of human gaze in Catholic churches and shrines (Ruozzi, Papasidero 2024). As part of the activities carried out within the PNRR ITSERR project (www.itserr.it), this paper aims to present the results of research conducted thus far in four sanctuaries in northern Italy: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bismantova in the Diocese of Reggio Emilia; the Sanctuary of Sts Pellegrino e Bianco in Alpe in the Diocese of Lucca; the Sanctuary of St Maria della Vita; and the Church of Sts Vitale and …

I4) A New Era Of Empowerment: Muslim Women’S Solo Religious Travel To Saudi Arabia After Vision 2030’S Groundbreaking Reforms, Ola Naim Omar Ismail Hajjaj

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Since the declaration of Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, the country has undergone significant and transformative changes, including reforms aimed at promoting gender equality and empowering women across various sectors including religious tourism, represented by Hajj (pilgrimage) and Umrah. One of the most historical and impactful changes is the elimination of the requirement for women to have a male guardian/companion (mahram) when visiting Saudi Arabia (SA) to perform religious tourism, enabling them to travel independently. This policy shift, implemented gradually between 2019 and 2022, not only empowers women but also supports Saudi Arabia’s broader goals of increasing tourism, modernizing its …

Keynote 3: The Future Of Religious Tourism And Pilgrimage: At The Intersection Of Sustainability, Silva Goretti

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

Religious tourism, encompassing pilgrimages and spiritual journeys across diverse faith traditions, has emerged as a significant contributor to global tourism. Although exact numbers may vary according to different sources, recognition of its contribution to local development is widely acknowledged, as well as its resilience, even during economic downturns. The Bethlehem Declaration (2015) acknowledges these potentials, encouraging policies that develop religious tourism in ways that ensure community participation, socioeconomic benefits, and balanced visitor experiences. However, while presenting unique opportunities, religious tourism also poses significant challenges to sustainability due to the ecological footprint of mass gatherings, physical degradation of sacred sites, waste …

G2) Religious Tourism Experiences, Heritage And Digitalization: An Italian Case Study, Donatella Privitera

International Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conferences

New technologies play a crucial role in sharing knowledge about religious heritage with tourists and local communities, particularly in geographically marginal areas. Digital tools can be employed in two main ways to enhance sensory experiences at a destination: (1) by actively stimulating one or more senses through technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), haptic devices; and (2) by organizing and disseminating information about available sensory experiences using applications, virtual guides, and interactive maps. Digital innovations not only facilitate access to information and knowledge about heritage but also introduce new experiential dimensions. From a supply-side perspective, they help …