Open research questions in Religious Tourism and Spaces
80 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 1,161 Religious Tourism and Spaces papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.
What the literature leaves open
The challenge of understanding the complex and nuanced dynamics of pilgrimage and its impact on local communities. The difficulty of balancing the spiritual and commercial aspects of pilgrimage. The need to navigate the blurred boundaries between hospitality and privacy in the context of pilgrimage.
Pilgrimage and the Therapeutic Processes of Spiritual Reintegration in Medjugorje: A Qualitative Exploratory Study · 2026 · DOIThe lack of understanding of the therapeutic processes of spiritual reintegration in pilgrimage. The need for a more nuanced understanding of the relational dynamics between pilgrims and hosts. The gap in the literature on the role of traditional religious practices in promoting moral health and wellbeing.
Pilgrimage and the Therapeutic Processes of Spiritual Reintegration in Medjugorje: A Qualitative Exploratory Study · 2026 · DOIFurther research could investigate the long-term effects of caminophilia, - Studies could explore the differences between first-time and repeat pilgrims
Social, Health, and Religious Contexts of Caminophilia: Fascination and Attachment to the Camino de Santiago · 2026 · DOIThe psychological and spiritual dimensions of the pilgrimage experience are less understood. Prior research has focused on the historical and religious aspects of the pilgrimage, but the social and health contexts are less explored. The study aims to address this gap by exploring the phenomenon of caminophilia.
Social, Health, and Religious Contexts of Caminophilia: Fascination and Attachment to the Camino de Santiago · 2026 · DOI1 2Information comes from field observations and a booklet by the Brothers in charge of the shrine, La Sainte Baume (Toulon: Mgr. Gilles Barthes, 1970). "Essays in P h i l ip N. Joranson and Ken Butigan, eds.. Cry of the the Christian Creation Tradition
Walks and tours made by pilgrims, in so far as they do not just cover the stretch between hotels and the grotto are limited to the religious area of the lower town.
Future research can explore the impact of government projects and tourism promotion initiatives on the cultural and political significance of sacred spaces. Further studies can examine the relationships between religion, culture, and politics in other urban contexts.
The study identifies a gap in understanding the complex relationships between religion, culture, and politics in modern India. The paper highlights the need to examine the cultural and political significance of sacred spaces in urban development.
Lack of research on vortex tourism. Limited understanding of vortex tourists' characteristics. Limited understanding of the impact of vortex tourism on local communities.
Future research could explore the dynamics of pilgrimage and danger in other contexts, considering the gendered aspects of perceptions of danger. The study's findings could be used to inform the development of more effective policies and interventions for managing pilgrimage and danger in Uman.
The study identifies a gap in the existing literature on pilgrimage and danger, particularly in the context of Uman. The research highlights the need for a more nuanced understanding of the dynamics of pilgrimage and danger, considering the gendered aspects of perceptions of danger.
The modernization of tourism has shifted the spiritual meaning contained in traditional rituals. The local younger generation is starting to abandon traditions considered archaic and less relevant to modern life. The lack of appreciation from tourists for the spiritual meaning of trekking.
The impacts of tourism on shifting mountain climbing ritual tradition in geopark Rinjani, Indonesia · 2026 · DOIFuture research should focus on the development of community-based tourism initiatives. Future research should explore the effectiveness of indigenous education programs for the younger generation.
The impacts of tourism on shifting mountain climbing ritual tradition in geopark Rinjani, Indonesia · 2026 · DOIFuture research could explore the applicability of the study's findings to other minority communities and urban contexts. Further research could investigate the impact of globalization and urbanization on the sustainability of cultural heritage.
Survival Strategies of the Chinese Community in Preserving Historical and Cultural Legacies in Semarang, Indonesia · 2026 · DOIThere is a need to understand how minority communities sustain their cultural heritage in pluralistic urban societies. The study addresses the gap in our understanding of the role of temples in promoting multicultural coexistence and social harmony.
Survival Strategies of the Chinese Community in Preserving Historical and Cultural Legacies in Semarang, Indonesia · 2026 · DOIThe study faces the challenge of semantic bias introduced by keywords and abstracts. The study also faces the challenge of limited coverage of other languages and regional repositories.
Future research could explore the use of other databases, such as Web of Science or Google Scholar. Future research could also investigate the use of other languages and regional repositories.
transformation when an existing frame of reference is disrupted by a disorienting dilemma, an undergo adults experience that does not fit comfortably within prior assumptions about the self or the world. This disruption a reassessment of underlying beliefs, and, potentially, self-reflection, triggers critical the adoption of a new, more inclusive meaning perspective (Mezirow, 1991). 24 Int J Engg Mgmt Res 2026;16(4) Gaurav K, et al. From Pilgrimage to Personal Transformation framework
From Pilgrimage to Personal Transformation: Conceptualizing the Experiential Outcomes of Spiritual Tourism · 2026 · DOIFuture research could explore the application of the concept of Sacred Infrastructural Care to other religious sites. Further study could examine the impact of the mosque's operation on Muslim societies and the development of more compassionate and inclusive communities.
Beyond Monumentality: Al-Masjid Al-Haram as Sacred Infrastructure, Pilgrimage Governance, and the Ethics of Public Care in Contemporary Islam · 2026 · DOIThere is a gap in understanding the mosque's religious, institutional, and ethical functions. The study identifies a need for a deeper understanding of the mosque's significance and its role in Islamic worship.
Beyond Monumentality: Al-Masjid Al-Haram as Sacred Infrastructure, Pilgrimage Governance, and the Ethics of Public Care in Contemporary Islam · 2026 · DOILimited research exists on how strong strategies based on ancient religious ethics can be created for managing pilgrimage sites in a sustainable way. There is a gap in understanding how Jain ethical principles are translated into practical pilgrimage site management strategies.
Sustainable Spiritual Tourism through Jain Ethics: Insights from Pilgrimage Site Management · 2026 · DOIEnhancing marketing activities - Improving facilities needed by tourists (transportation, banking services, accommodations, restaurants, travel agencies) - Providing information on tourist attractions
The Potential of Religious Tourism and Strategies for Its Development in Supporting the Tourism Industry of North Sumatra in the Digital Age · 2026 · DOIThe study primarily relies on secondary data analysis, which may limit the depth of insights. The research method used is qualitative, which might not capture quantitative metrics effectively. The findings are based on current trends and may change with future developments in technology and global events.
The Potential of Religious Tourism and Strategies for Its Development in Supporting the Tourism Industry of North Sumatra in the Digital Age · 2026 · DOIThis research makes a significant theoretical contribution by applying the SOR model in the underexplored context of religious mega-events and by introducing two novel constructs: event evangelism and digital historical storytelling.
There is a lack of comparative data on paranormal beliefs in Western countries. Prior research has focused on the United States, with limited attention to other countries. The study aims to address this gap by reporting findings from a national survey of the United Kingdom.
Marginalized, Secularized, and Popularized? The Prevalence and Patterns of Paranormal Belief in the United Kingdom · 2025 · DOI
Most-cited papers in Religious Tourism and Spaces
- Mindful visitors · Annals of Tourism Research · 1996 · 476 citations
- Forms of religious tourism · Annals of Tourism Research · 1992 · 402 citations
- The search for authenticity in the pilgrim experience · Annals of Tourism Research · 2008 · 375 citations
- Researching pilgrimage · Annals of Tourism Research · 2010 · 323 citations
- A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF THE WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE AS A SOURCE OF SPIRITUAL INSPIRATION · Journal of Environmental Psychology · 1999 · 281 citations
- Religion and place attachment: A study of sacred places · Journal of Environmental Psychology · 2004 · 270 citations
- Performing heritage: rethinking authenticity in tourism · Annals of Tourism Research · 2012 · 268 citations
- Spirit Possession Revisited: Beyond Instrumentality · Annual Review of Anthropology · 1994 · 265 citations
- Rural tourism · Annals of Tourism Research · 2010 · 264 citations
- Exploring halal-friendly destination attributes in South Korea: Perceptions and behaviors of Muslim travelers toward a non-Muslim destination · Tourism Management · 2018 · 241 citations
Most recent work
- Spiritual Tourism: Travel to Experience Vortex Energy · Open MIND · 2026
- Transformation of Himalayan Pilgrimage: A Sustainable Travel on the Wane · Open MIND · 2026
- Spiritual gentrification amid the rise of platform urbanism: “Wanghong temples” and emerging Buddhist cultural economies in Tianzhu Road, Hangzhou, China · Geoforum · 2026
- Design and Evaluation of an Agentic AI Framework for Personalized Umrah Trip Planning · Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering · 2026
- Exploring memorable peer-to-peer local-guided experience: the role of guide performance in Istanbul · Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change · 2026
- Pilgrimage and the Therapeutic Processes of Spiritual Reintegration in Medjugorje: A Qualitative Exploratory Study · Journal of Religion and Health · 2026
- Linking Event Experience to Event Evangelism: An Empirical Analysis · Event Management · 2026
- Cultural governance of Mazu religious tourism · Tourism Geographies · 2026
- The Divine in Art Practice: How Christian Artists Visualize the Divine and Reflect on Faith · Journal of Psychology and Theology · 2026
- We can sustain! Exploring the linkage between financial decisions, risk management, and innovation exploitation among SMEs in pilgrimage tourism · Social Sciences & Humanities Open · 2026
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