The Role of Religious Tourism in the Regional Development of Tourist Destinations
Purpose: The aim of this article is to define the role of religious tourism in regional development and to identify the main factors determining this impact. Design/Methodology/Approach: The article adopts a broader approach to integration processes, in which religious tourism encompasses not only traditionally understood pilgrimages undertaken in different cultures, but also cognitive -based travel with a component related to religion characteristic of different cultural circles. A qualitative study was conducted. Triangulation of methods was used, combining focus group interviews (FGI) and expert interviews (IDI) conducted in six European countries (Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Spain, Greece, Italy). Findings: Discussions within the FGI and IDI studies allowed for the identification of three key issues indicating the impact of tourism on regional development: (1) The impact of an integrated religious tourism product on the tourism services market in the region, (2) The importance of sacred sites for local sustainable development, and (3) The preservation of the cultural heritage of regions with religious assets. The research confirmed the broad and multifaceted role of religious tourism in regional development. Practical implications: The research has shown that the key factors determining the role of religious tourism in the development of tourist regions are: cooperation between multiple entities in shaping an integrated religious tourism product, taking into account the principles of sustainable development, and caring for cultural heritage in its tangible and intangible aspects. Originality/Value: A broader approach to religious tourism was presented, taking into account its cultural elements relating to different European countries. The research is original due to the development of an original research methodology and the establishment of a method for selecting respondents.