Pakistan as a Destination of Religious Tourism

Abstract

The objective of this chapter is to highlight the religious tourism perspective of Pakistan. This chapter sheds light on five different aspects of religious tourism in Pakistan: first, the background of tourism; second, the history of tourism; third, destinations of religious tourism in Pakistan; fourth, development of religious tourism in Pakistan; and fifth, the role of religious tourism in the socio-economic and political development of Pakistan. This chapter presents a brief history of religious tourism, famous religious places, especially religious places of Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists in Pakistan. In addition, this chapter highlights different historical and religious places that are sacred to Muslims such as mosques and shrines of seers and Sufi saints. The initiatives of the Pakistan government to promote religious tourism and its role in the socio-economic and political development of is also discussed in this chapter.