Introduction to Host Communities and Pilgrimage Tourism: Asia and Beyond

Abstract

This chapter is aimed at introducing the topic of the present volume: the complex interrelationship between host communities and pilgrimage tourism. In our contemporary tourism industry, pilgrimage sites have been attracting a growing attention from both visitors and tourism developers, becoming vital destinations. In particular, the Asia Pacific region is estimated to have a large share of international visitors motivated by religion or spirituality. Despite its importance, the academic study of pilgrimage tourism is a relatievely recent phenomenon, with related publications growing since the 1990s, and 2009 marking a rapid increase. In this context, the study of host communities and pilgrimage tourism is considered to bring added nuances due to its particular characteristics such as the strong influence of religious institutions, the extensive geography of pilgrimage trails which covers a wide array of communities, and the delicate balance between economic development and the preservation of tradition. However, academic studies have largely centered on visitor-related themes, including motivation and behavior. To address this research gap, this volume introduces a collection of chapters centered on communities and pilgrimage tourism in Asia and Europe, authored by academics with expertise on the area.