What does Religious Tourism mean in the Time of Climate Change? Present Status and Future Outlook

Abstract

Abstract The environmental impacts of tourism are multifaceted and have been extensively examined by scholars. Though religious tourism, a specific subset of tourism, has emerged as a significant global phenomenon, scholarly literature on religious tourism and its impact on the environment is scarce. In the present scenario, where environmental sustainability is critical, it becomes imperative to ascertain how religious tourism contributes to the UN sustainable development goals. This study employs a systematic approach PRISMA guidelines, to investigate the potential impact of religious tourism on environmental sustainability. Discoveries from 108 studies from 1999 to 2023 were analysed by applying a certain search procedure. The findings suggest that despite a significant growth in religious tourism, the research on its impact on environmental sustainability has not been sufficiently acknowledged. The analysis suggests that religious tourism has the potential to make a substantial contribution to various environmentally sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through content analysis of the emerging thematic areas, this study not only offers valuable insights into the current state of the research field but also sets key agendas for future research.

Keywords

• religious tourism
• bibliometric analysis
• environmental sustainability
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• pilgrims

What does Religious Tourism mean in the Time of Climate Change? Present Status and Future Outlook

Abstract

The environmental impacts of tourism are multifaceted and have been extensively examined by scholars. Though religious tourism, a specific subset of tourism, has emerged as a significant global phenomenon, scholarly literature on religious tourism and its impact on the environment is scarce. In the present scenario, where environmental sustainability is critical, it becomes imperative to ascertain how religious tourism contributes to the UN sustainable development goals. This study employs a systematic approach, PRISMA guidelines, to investigate the potential impact of religious tourism on environmental sustainability. Discoveries from 108 studies from 1999 to 2023 were analysed by applying a certain search procedure. The findings suggest that despite a significant growth in religious tourism, the research on its impact on environmental sustainability has not been sufficiently acknowledged. The analysis suggests that religious tourism has the potential to make a substantial contribution to various environmentally sustainable development goals (SDGs). Through content analysis of the emerging thematic areas, this study not only offers valuable insights into the current state of the research field but also sets key agendas for future research.

Keywords

• Religious Tourism
• bibliometric analysis
• environmental sustainability
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
• pilgrims

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