Examining The Perceptions Of Religious Stakeholders Towards Religious Tourism Development
Date Issued
September 1, 2022
Author(s)
Abstract
Travelling for religious and pilgrimage purposes consists of an early-stage motivation for the
historical development of tourism. Sacred places become important attractions for local and
foreign visitors and many countries invest in the development of religious and pilgrimage
tourism. Cyprus has a rich tradition as an important place for the establishment and diffusion
of the Christian Orthodox Religion (Greek). Being considered the ‘island of Saints’, Cyprus
sets strong foundations to be recognised as a spiritual destination of devotion for visitors
interested in discovering the roots and the spiritual essence of the Christian Orthodox
Religion. The paper elucidates on bringing together the fact of whether tourism in sacred
places affects spirituality and religiosity. Thus, the aim is to consider the perceptions of main
religious stakeholders including monastery abbots in relation to the development of religious
tourism. The aim of the study is fulfilled by incorporating questionnaires targeting the
responses of the involved religious key players and stakeholders. The results of the study are
indicative and provide an understanding of religious tourism as an important product by
interpreting the stance of religious stakeholders. In general, religious leaders support tourism
in religious sites and argue that spirituality and holiness can be maintained as long there is a
policy that is followed both by religious and tourism policymakers. Undoubtedly,
establishing Cyprus as a religious tourism destination would bring many economic and social
benefits.
historical development of tourism. Sacred places become important attractions for local and
foreign visitors and many countries invest in the development of religious and pilgrimage
tourism. Cyprus has a rich tradition as an important place for the establishment and diffusion
of the Christian Orthodox Religion (Greek). Being considered the ‘island of Saints’, Cyprus
sets strong foundations to be recognised as a spiritual destination of devotion for visitors
interested in discovering the roots and the spiritual essence of the Christian Orthodox
Religion. The paper elucidates on bringing together the fact of whether tourism in sacred
places affects spirituality and religiosity. Thus, the aim is to consider the perceptions of main
religious stakeholders including monastery abbots in relation to the development of religious
tourism. The aim of the study is fulfilled by incorporating questionnaires targeting the
responses of the involved religious key players and stakeholders. The results of the study are
indicative and provide an understanding of religious tourism as an important product by
interpreting the stance of religious stakeholders. In general, religious leaders support tourism
in religious sites and argue that spirituality and holiness can be maintained as long there is a
policy that is followed both by religious and tourism policymakers. Undoubtedly,
establishing Cyprus as a religious tourism destination would bring many economic and social
benefits.
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