The faith-based tourism market is predicted to surge at a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period. The industry is standing at USD 16,066.1 million as of 2024 and is on its way forward to cross USD 38,384.8 million by 2034.
Many people today seek more meaning and purpose in their lives. As a result, more are traveling for religious affiliation, such as retreats and pilgrimages. This is the main reason for the growth in faith-based tourism.
As the world becomes more connected, people are more interested in learning about different cultures and religions. Many people want to understand and engage with other religious traditions, increasing the popularity of faith-based tourism.
The global religious tourism industry is large, with more than one-third of international tourists traveling for religious reasons. This translates to about 450 million international trips made for religious purposes.
UNESCO states that 60% of people globally follow a religion, forming the core group for religious tourism. The appeal of religious tourism is significant, with 25% of travelers showing interest in this type of tourism.
Global Faith-based Tourism Industry Analysis
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Global Faith-based Tourism Market Size (2024E) | USD 16,066.1 million |
| Projected Global Faith-based Tourism Market Value (2034F) | USD 38,384.8 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 9.1% |
Demographic changes like an aging population, a growing middle class, and greater mobility also boost faith-based tourism. Millennials, middle-class families, and older people all seek memorable trips that reflect their values and spiritual beliefs.
Religious tourism providers make money by offering accommodation, travel, food, and other services. This helps to boost faith-based tourism and economic development. For instance, the Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca is not just a religious duty but also a big boost for Saudi Arabia's economy. As a result, faith-based traveling is getting more attention and funding to stimulate the economy and help locals maintain their way of life.
Faith-based travelers seek unique experiences that match their spiritual beliefs. This demand has led to specialized faith-based travel programs like themed pilgrimages, health retreats, and cultural immersions. This offers many faith-based tourism market opportunities.
The table shows how quickly the global industry is expected to grow from 2024 to 2034. It also compares these new forecasts with the previous ones from 2023 to 2033.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 9% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 8.7% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 8.6% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 9.5% (2024 to 2034) |
The industry is expected to take its pace at a CAGR of 9% in the first half of the previous forecast decade, from 2023 to 2033. This rate is predicted to decrease slightly to 8.7% in the second half of this period. From 2024 to 2034, the growth rate of faith-based tourism is ready to take off at 8.6% and increase to 9.5% in the second half of this period.
Asia Boosts Opportunities for Religious Tourism Operators
The Asia Pacific is known as the global center for religious tourism, attracting the most pilgrims and travelers for religious events, both from within the region and internationally. Worldwide, there are about 600 million spiritual journeys & retreats, with more than half in Asia.
Religious sites worldwide attract diverse religious groups. Many travelers seek spiritual experiences to cope with daily stress, often interested in ancient practices from South East Asia. The Middle East has many emerging destinations for faith-based tourism, with Jordan being an important hotspot.
Digital Age Modernizes Pilgrims’ Way of Experiencing Sacred Places
Sustainable and responsible travel is also becoming popular in pilgrimage tourism. Tourists want authentic experiences that respect local cultures and support eco-friendly practices. Religious sites & landmarks like St. Francis of Assisi's birthplace in Italy promote green travel and help local green businesses.
The internet has changed how religious tourism is advertised and experienced. For example, virtual reality tours of the Vatican let visitors see sacred places without leaving home, creating new opportunities in technology.
Role of technology in faith-based tourism is irrefutable. Technology has made it easier to find information on faith-based tourist places, activities, and travel options. There's a chance to create online platforms for virtual tours, live streams of religious events, and online shopping for religious items.
These websites can help people who can't visit in person. 'Sacred Spaces Online', for instance, is one such site where users can walk around different sacred sites from home. This is important for the growth of cultural tourism industry.
Technology Deepens the Spiritual Journey of Pilgrims
Technology and innovation have changed how pilgrims experience sacred places and rituals. It's not just an emerging trend in faith-based tourism but a big change that makes pilgrimages more accessible, personal, and fulfilling. This includes things like mobile applications and social media that satisfy pilgrims' needs and inspire entrepreneurs in the travel industry.
Social media marketing has greatly helped promote faith-based travel. The 'FaithConnect' app is one such example that users document their pilgrimage in real-time. These innovations are redefining pilgrimages and making them more inspirational.
The blend of technology, innovation, and spirituality is creating a new chapter in religious tourism, respecting the past and welcoming the future.
The market size of faith-based tourism was USD 10,489.9 million in 2019 and USD 14,753.1 million in 2023. Keeping in mind the CAGR of 8.9% from 2019 to 2023, it can be inferred that the faith-based tourism market investment and development opportunities are set to remain steady and open in key prevalent countries.
During the recent past, the impact of COVID-19 on faith-based tourism was noteworthy. Many countries imposed travel restrictions and lockdowns to stop the virus. Worship places, pilgrimage sites, and religious destinations were temporarily closed or had limited access.
Religious festivals, activities, and pilgrimages were postponed. Many faith-based travel companies faced financial problems due to fewer bookings and many cancellations.
Post-pandemic, the faith-based travel market has changed and adapted. Domestic religious tourism has grown. More people now accept online spiritual activities and virtual tours. Gen Z and millennial pilgrims are seeking unique tourism experiences. Niche areas like eco-spiritual travel and wellness getaways are expanding.
Retail brands are quickly moving into religious cities because of the booming tourism there. Brands in various sectors like fashion, food, hypermarkets, homeware, and electronics are customizing their offerings to cater to the needs of pilgrims. For example, the shops near the Vatican City sell unique religious souvenirs that people from all over the world want to buy.
Sacred places often host religious events and gatherings. This creates a need for event planners who understand and respect religious traditions. For example, the Kumbh Mela in India, a huge religious gathering, relies on event managers to organize everything for millions of people.
Tier 1 companies lead the faith-based tourism industry with big names like Globus, Collette, G Adventures, Abercrombie & Kent, and Tauck controlling it. They bring in about USD 8,114.2 million, which is 55% of the global industry share. They are known for their high-quality services, extensive luxury faith-based travel packages, and strong reputation.
These companies offer well-organized tours, expert guides, and comfortable accommodations. They attract a large number of customers due to their reliability and excellent customer experiences.
Tier 2 companies like Educational Travel Services, Pilgrim Tours, Israel Travel Center, Journeys Unlimited, and Gate 1 Travel hold about 35% of the global industry value share, worth USD 5,163.6 million. Even though Tier 2 companies are not as big as Tier 1, they are favorites of budget-conscious customers because of their affordability.
They offer good value for money with reasonably priced travel packages. These companies provide reliable services and a variety of travel options, making them popular among those looking for cost-effective faith-based tours.
Tier 3 includes companies like Living Passages, Regina Tours, Kensington Tours, Cosmos, and Airtours. Even though they're less significant than Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies, they still generate a good amount of revenue, about USD 1,475.3 million. This is about 10% of the industry.
What makes them special is that they always have room for further growth, and they focus on doing so by implementing the latest trends. They have the potential to emerge as strong competitors in front of companies from the other two tiers. These companies are innovative and adaptable, which helps them attract new customers and expand their industry share.
The following section discusses the faith-based tourism market regional tourism reports. The report provides information about key economies in Europe, Asia Pacific, and North America.
In North America, the United States is leading and is on its way to surge at 5.9% yearly until 2034. In Europe, Italy tops the chart in the faith-based tourism industry and is set to progress at 6.9% yearly until 2034.
In Asia Pacific, India is emerging as a leading market for faith-based tourism. It is on track to grow more rapidly than China, with a yearly growth rate of 16.3% compared to China's 19.2% until 2034.
| Countries | CAGR 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|
| United States | 5.9% |
| Canada | 13.4% |
| China | 16.3% |
| Italy | 6.9% |
| India | 19.2% |
The United States’ faith-based tourism industry is around 4% to 9% of the world's industry. In the United States, there are around 335,000 religious congregations. In a recent survey, over 35% of Americans who travel abroad want to do faith-based trips.
These numbers will likely go up quickly because people like real experiences. They want to explore cultures and spiritual traditions linked to pilgrimage spots and religions.
The 5.9% CAGR expected for the United States faith-based tourism market means that this type of tourism is growing steadily, but not rapidly. This suggests that there are already a lot of pilgrimage tourism options available in the country. On top of that, in this country, there is a notable diversity of religious sites and experiences catering to tourists from various backgrounds.
By the end of the forecast period, however, Canada is set to establish itself as a key market for faith-based traveling at a 13.4% CAGR. In Canada, there are lots of interesting places to visit for people who like religious travel. Individuals can see old cathedrals, important shrines, convents, and temples.
Italy is a top spot for religious tourism because it has many Christian and Catholic places of worship. Among the 60 million Italians, a significant 85% identify as Christian. The tourism industry in Italy is valued at around USD 27.3 billion as of 2024.
Italian travelers have a strong preference for cultural experiences over nature and show a keen interest in discovering new cultures. According to Europ Assistance, 34% of Italian travelers find visiting religious sites and places of worship interesting during their holidays.
People from Northern Europe, especially, like Italy because of its peaceful vibe and religious places to visit. As they have more money to spend and a desire to see old religious sites, the spiritual tourism industry in Italy is likely to grow in the coming years.
As a result, the faith-based tourism market in Italy is anticipated to experience a moderate CAGR of 6.9%. This opens up chances for entrepreneurs to create new ideas.
The faith-based tourism market in India is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 19.2%. Places of religious tourism witnessed 1439 million tourists and earned USD 1.3 trillion in 2022, discloses government data.
The Indian government sees religious tourism as very important and is working to support and grow these sites. It is improving infrastructure, protecting heritage places, and making it easier to travel and stay there.
India's religious and cultural history makes religious tourism a big part of its overall tourism. The government aims for 20 million foreign tourists by 2020 and wants to double the money they bring in. The country has programs like PRASAD to make pilgrimages more spiritual, Swadesh Darshan to develop tourist circuits, and E-Visa to help tourists get visas online.
Spiritual tourism is becoming more popular in India. It's not just Indians, but people from all over the world are coming to visit. The recent grand consecration of the Ram temple in Ayodhya brought the city into the global tourism spotlight. The event drew attention from all over. This celebration has given a significant boost to India's economy.
The increase in religious tourism is going to help small businesses in travel, tourism, and hospitality to grow. This creates chances for entrepreneurs in many different places.
This section of faith-based tourism market forecast analysis arranges for the whole story about the industry's top segments. In terms of tour type, the pilgrimage tours segment is estimated to dominate by holding a share of 41.3% in 2024. By tourist type, the domestic tourist category is projected to cement its status quo as the undisputed winner by acquiring a share of 63.2% in 2024.
Pilgrimage tours are popular in the faith-based tourism market because they offer unique experiences that combine spirituality, culture, and history. People go on pilgrimage tours to visit sacred places, such as temples, churches, and holy sites that hold deep religious significance.
| Segment | Pilgrimage Tours (Tour Type) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 41.3% |
Many people view pilgrimages as a way to seek blessings, guidance, and healing, making these tours highly sought after. More young people nowadays are interested in exploring different religions and cultures. They want to understand customs, beliefs, and history, leading to a higher demand for these types of tours.
Pilgrimage sites have a lot of cultural and historical worth. This attracts tourists seeking spiritual growth and cultural experiences. These faith-based tours also offer special experiences like pilgrimages and worship services, which are popular among certain religious groups interested in history and religion.
When it comes to the growth of domestic vs. international faith-based tourism, the industry is mostly made up of domestic travelers. This is due to the fact that they often find it easier to get to these places compared to tourists from other countries.
Going on religious trips locally can be cheaper. So, it might be easier and less costly for them to visit since they're close to these places of worship. Older people often do religious tourism. They like to visit local places in their own country because of their age and health issues.
| Segment | Domestic Tourist (Tourist Type) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 63.2% |
Local tourists often know the cultural and religious importance of these sites. This makes them want to visit for spiritual or pilgrimage reasons. They might also feel a stronger duty or devotion to go to these places because of their emotional connection to their religion.
People who travel within their own country often have stronger connections with their family and community. So, when they visit places of worship, they can take part in religious activities and connect with local people. This helps them strengthen their social and family relationships.
Faith-based tourism market opportunity analysis indicates that companies compete depending on the quality and range of services they provide. The market is competitive because there are many big and small players. It includes different types of businesses like travel agencies, hotels, and online booking platforms.
To stay ahead in the game, the major players in the faith-based tourism industry are putting their entire focus on the unique selling points of their offerings to differentiate them. Top companies are working on making their services better. They do this by giving discounts, offering new places to visit, providing faith-friendly accommodations, and creating special deals. This helps them stay ahead of the competition.
The faith-based tourism market competitive landscape shows that top companies are also concentrating on the affordability aspect, which is very crucial for pilgrimage tourism.
Industry Updates
In terms of tourist type, the industry is bifurcated into domestic tourist and international tourist.
Based on tour type, the industry is divided into museums tours, pilgrimages tours, pilgrimage tours, and others.
Depending on traveler type, the industry is segmented into independent traveler, tour group, and package traveler.
When it comes to service provider, the industry is trifurcated into phone booking, online booking, and in person booking.
Based on consumer orientation, the industry is branched into men, women, and children.
In terms of age group, the industry is categorized into 15 to 25 years, 26 to 35 years, 36 to 45 years, 46 to 55 years, 56 to 65 years, and 66 to 75 years, and above 75 years.
A regional analysis of the industry is conducted across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania, and Latin America.
The industry is set to reach a valuation of USD 16,066.1 million in 2024.
A CAGR of 9.1% is projected for the industry through 2034.
Faith-based tourism market forecast suggests opportunities worth USD 38,384.8 million by 2034.
Pilgrimage tours to account for a significant industry share in 2024.
India is predicted to be an investment hotspot for investors and stakeholders.
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Faith-based Tourism Market
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