Sociology

Archaeology

Religious tourism

Religiosity

Social science

Tourism geography

Epistemology

Philosophy

Political science

Tourism

Geography

Programming language

Pilgrimage

Computer science

Visitor pattern

Phenomenon

Discipline

Environmental ethics

Tourism Recreation Research

This review study examines evolving themes in the scholarly literature on religious tourism and identifies research gaps that provide a basis for future investigations. The researchers evaluate a total of 84 studies of religion-induced tourism using content and thematic analyses. The findings show a plurality of approaches, both disciplinary and interdisciplinary, that extend to diverse methods, themes, applications, geographical foci and manifestations of the phenomenon. Understandings of religious tourism have evolved beyond pilgrimage and now encompass the meaningfulness of a destination. Recent explorations have extended beyond visitor motivations to consider their identities, such as individual religious affiliations and religiosity. The current paper contributes to knowledge by embracing infrastructure and the activities which occur in and around religious places as a legitimate study domain.

Religious tourism studies: evolution, progress, and future prospects