WHAT IS RELIGIOUS TRAVEL?
The first step in learning about and fully understanding the religious travel and hospitality industry is to ask the question “What is religious travel?” Today this term is more expansive and comprehensive than ever before. For millennia, the concept of religious travel has primarily centered on the notion of pilgrimage. Although this type of journey still remains at the heart of religious travel in many ways, it is no longer the sole form or reference point.
Today, religious travel and hospitality is defined by:
- Travel to a religious destination.
- Travel to a religious gathering.
- Travel with a missionary and/or humanitarian intent.
- Travel with a fellowship intent.
Travel to a Religious Destination
Travel to a religious destination is the most common and traditional meaning and application of the phrase “religious travel.” Virtually all religions have a rich history of valuing and promoting this form of travel. In fact, the term most often associated with this type of journey is pilgrimage. Examples of pilgrimage include traveling to sites affiliated with important religious events, heritage, history and people such as the Holy Land, the Vatican and Mecca.
On a similar yet lighter scale, this particular definition of religious travel also includes journeys to local and regional shrines, as well as to sites such as religious museums and other faith-based attractions. In addition, this definition includes visits to monasteries, convents and other similar religious dwellings. Above all, as pilgrimages and travel to religious destinations are at the heart of many religious traditions and theologies, this form of travel will probably always remain at the forefront of the religious travel and hospitality industry.
Travel to a Religious Gathering
Travel to a religious gathering is the second most common form and definition of “religious travel.” People of faith have been traveling and gathering together since the dawn of humanity and especially for religious purposes and celebrations. In fact, it is believed that “mass tourism” as we know it today, as its roots in religious tourism. Dating back to the Egyptian Empire, people traveled long distances and from throughout the land to participate in religious gatherings and ceremonies. From an historical perspective, this is believed to possibly be the genesis of modern-day tourism.
Today is no different though. People of faith continue to gather together – and in ever larger numbers. The gatherings range from several dozen people to the millions. Moreover, some of the world’s largest annual or frequent gatherings are religious-based (i.e. World Youth Day). Every day you will find people of faith gathering throughout the world for purposes ranging from worship to celebration to education to business and much more. Taken together, religious gatherings comprise not only a major sector of the “meetings industry,” but also that of religious tourism and mass tourism as a whole.
Travel with a Missionary and/or Humanitarian Intent
The third most common understanding of religious travel is travel with a missionary and/or humanitarian intent. This form of travel began to blossom in recent centuries and especially in the past two decades. People embarking on missionary trips today can be found throughout the world. Although it can take different forms, missionary travel involves the sharing of one’s faith with another people or culture while assisting the local population with humanitarian needs.
Today, the most common and popular form of missionary travel is the short-term mission. Short-term missions are trips that can last from a few days to two years. However, most short-term mission trips typically last from seven to 14 days. The number of people embarking on short-term mission trips has doubled in the past five years, and the future for this type of travel is even more promising.
Volunteer vacations are a related form of missionary travel. On a volunteer vacation, one combines travel with volunteering to a certain cause. This type of travel is also known as volunteer vacations, volunteerism, volunteer travel, voluntourism or vacations with a purpose. Examples of volunteer vacations include building homes, teaching children (i.e. a second language), providing medical services, planting trees, assisting with natural conservation, cleaning national parks, maintaining historic sites, and aiding a community in need with business, legal or technical services. Similar to short-term missions, volunteer vacations are experiencing an all-time high in interest, and the future looks even brighter for this type of travel.
Travel with a Fellowship Intent
The fourth and newest definition of religious travel is travel with a fellowship intent. This is in many ways the fastest growing segment of today’s faith tourism marketplace. Travel with a fellowship intent includes everything from religious events, conferences and retreats to cruising, leisure vacations, adventure trips, specialty tours, local getaways, visits to attractions, youth camps and more.
The primary reasons people of faith embark on these types of trips are for the benefits of leisure and fellowship. In other words, although faith may be the uniting factor behind a group’s bond, the leisure and fellowship aspects often serve as the primary motives behind individuals joining a particular trip or event. For example, many people will participate in a religious conference or event a weekend getaway, retreat, or group vacation with their faith community for the companionship it offers, as well as to experience the advantages of rest, relaxation and renewal. The same concept applies to other fellowship vacations such as cruising, ski trips, bus tours, group visits to national parks and so forth.
What is the forecast for this particular form of religious travel? As much of the growth in faith tourism in the past decade has been attributed to fellowship vacations and events, this type of travel is expected to play a major role in the industry’s expansion.