Local-level pilgrimages, when based on strong expressions of faith, can have a much wider local, regional and international appeal. It has been estimated that pilgrims and religious tourists number around 330 million per year, meaning development of these faith identities can help drive destination visitation and regional development. This book explores the central role of ordinary people in the popularisation of faith-based practices, thus illustrating religious tourism as an expression of cultural identity.
Focusing on the interrelationship of cultural groups and the overall formation of culture and society, this book:
– Uses a range of multidisciplinary, sociological and ethnographic studies to illustrate the evolution of pilgrimage sites and saints.
– Includes practical case studies and illustrations of religious tourism and pilgrimage development from a variety of international perspectives.
– Provides a selection of discussion questions for each chapter, encouraging readers to engage with further study and investigation of these important issues.
An invaluable review of cultural identity and faith, this book delivers to scholars, students and local policy makers a collection of current perspectives on the growth, development and evolution of faith practices surrounding contemporary and historical sites and saints.
Tentang Penulis
Dr.Kevin Griffin Bed, MA, Ph D. Having studied teaching then tourism organisation and historic settlement I worked in a number of Geography Departments in the Dublin / Kildare area. Since 2001 I have worked at the DIT where I am actively involved in teaching and researching a broad range of tourism topics with particular specialism in both heritage and sustainable tourism.
Editor in Chief, International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage
Editor in Chief, International Journal of Tour Guiding Research
Editor in Chief, International Journal of Islands Research
Series Editor, CABI Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Book Series
Research Interests My main areas of academic interest include:
* Tourism and Sustainability / Environmental Issues
* Heritage Tourism
* Religious Tourism / Pilgrimage
* Social Tourism
* Teaching Methodologies and Tourism
* Local History / Heritage