About this reportThe WTO has reported that tourist arrivals in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific region have increased at a much faster rate over the last five decades than in the rest of the world.
The average annual increase in the Asia-Pacific region was some 13%, whilst this figure was 10% for the Middle East.
While there are several factors behind this, religious tourism has arguably played a significant a part.
Buddhists and Hindus consider India to be the most spiritual country on earth, the fact that Saudi Arabia is home to two of the holiest sites in Islam, and Israel and the Palestinian Territories comprise the Holy Land, important to Christians, Jews and Muslims throughout the world.There are a number of forces, alongside faith itself, driving the growth of religious and pilgrimage tourism, which include: a drive from consumers for more authentic experience, such as immersing themselves in the spiritual and cultural traditions associated with specific religions and pilgrimage sites the emergence of a more diverse tourist product as national tourist boards and tourism providers seek to extend the traditional tourist season an increasing number of travel agents offering religious tourism, pilgrimages and church tours a global culture where people seek more unusual holidays or more diversification within a trip.
Designed for travel and tourism professionals, this report provides a unique overview of this growing market.
Combining the latest tourism data from the most authoritative sources and Mintel’s own unique, independent analysis, it offers a level of market-explanation that can help create focused marketing and shape effective tourism policy at the highest level.