The Social Media Factor In The Development And Promotion Of Religious Tourism

Abstract

Tourism and religion have been in co-operation with each other due to theHajj pilgrimage throughout history. The concept of religious tourism of today is based on this co-operation. All sectors of tourism, including religious tourism, need publicity first and then to market their destinations and the travel programs for survival. The emerging media networks that appeared after the developments in Internet technology are thought to be useful tools in both fields. Scientific researches have discovered a strong relationship between the use of social media and consumers' purchasing decisions or renunciation. This relationship can be used as an efficient support in promoting and marketing of destinations and tour programs in religious tourism industry. According to reseachers, people, who share their past travel experiences with friends and relatives on the social media, can be effective on the travel plans of others, from choosing destinations to hotels and restaurants. Social media is seen as a great tool of promotion and marketing for all kinds of businesses but like any other tools, social media have useful and harmful aspects. If they are used cleverly, social media can carry businesses to distant horizons beyond their imaginations but improper use of social media can do more harm than good. There is no study which examines the role of social media in promoting and development of religious tourism. The purpose of this study is to research the importance of the role that social media can play in the development and promotion of religious tourism and produce solutions to probable problems that may arise.