Social Institutions and Media Strategies in the Context of Religious Tourism Development

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.137

Keywords:

Digitalization, Holy Places, Pilgrimage, Religion, Spiritual Centers, Tourism, Tourist Destinations

Abstract

This study analyzes key aspects of pilgrimage tourism as a significant factor in the development of domestic tourism. Special attention is given to the role of social institutions and the use of media strategies and digital technologies in optimizing religious tourism. The study explores major pilgrimage routes, such as those to Jerusalem and Athos, highlighting their impact on social groups and the tourism industry. Religious tourism is classified into pilgrimage, religious-cultural, and special pilgrimage types. The research emphasizes the need to rethink modern tourism practices and identifies systemic trends that contribute to the regeneration of sustainable religious tourism, including institutional support and strategic unification at local and regional levels. Methodological prerequisites for further development are discussed, along with the influence of digital solutions and information technologies on the growth of sacred tourism. A set of determining factors influencing sustainability is examined, leading to recommendations for the balanced development of destinations. Finally, the study affirms the importance of religious tourism as a historical and cultural phenomenon that significantly contributes to cultural development.

Author Biographies

Svitlana Panchenko, Department of Social Communications, Educational and Scientific Institute of Journalism, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

Department of Social Communications, Educational and Scientific Institute of Journalism, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

Svitlana Litovka-Demenina, Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business, Kyiv Professional College of Tourism and Hospitality, Kyiv, Ukraine

Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business, Kyiv Professional College of Tourism and Hospitality, Kyiv, Ukraine

Nataly Zatsepina, Department of Tourism, Faculty of Land Management and Tourism, Lviv National Environmental University, Lviv, Ukraine

Department of Tourism, Faculty of Land Management and Tourism, Lviv National Environmental University, Lviv, Ukraine

Oksana Berezivska, Department of Tourism, Faculty of Land Management and Tourism, Lviv National Environmental University, Lviv, Ukraine

Department of Tourism, Faculty of Land Management and Tourism, Lviv National Environmental University, Lviv, Ukraine

Dina Yarmolyk, Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business, Faculty of Business and Services, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

Department of Tourism and Hotel and Restaurant Business, Faculty of Business and Services, Zhytomyr Polytechnic State University, Zhytomyr, Ukraine

References

[1] Abbas, E. W., Jumriani, J., Handy, M. R. N., Syaharuddin, S., & Izmi, N. (2021). Actualization of religious values through religious tourism on the river as a source of social studies learning. Al-Ishlah: Jurnal Pendidikan, 13(3), 1663–1669. https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v13i3.1013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v13i3.1013

[2] Alrefaei, A. F., Almaleki, D., Alshehrei, F., Kadasah, S., ALluqmani, Z., Alsulaimani, A., Aljuhani, A., & Alruhaili, A. (2022). Assessment of health awareness and knowledge toward SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 vaccines among residents of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Clinical Epidemiology and Global Health, 13, 100935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100935 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cegh.2021.100935

[3] ANA-MPA (2020). Archbishop of Athens Ieronymos. 20 March. https://www.amna.gr/home/article/441789/Ieronumos-Menoume-spiti-apo-agapi--ochi-apo-fobo

[4] Bakhov, I., Panchenko, S., Radul, O., Shchurko, O., & Ilchuk, O. (2022). Topical issues in contemporary Ukrainian cinema space: challenges of time and prospects. Revista Relações Internacionais do Mundo Atual, 3(36), 551–569. https://revista.unicuritiba.edu.br/index.php/RIMA/article/view/5926

[5] Bayev, V., Bakhov, I., Mirzodaieva, T., Rozmetova, O., & Boretskaya, N. (2022). Theoretical and Methodological Fundamentals of the Modern Paradigm of Quality Management in the Field of Tourism. Journal of Environmental Management and Tourism, 13(2), 338–345. https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v13.2(58).04 DOI: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v13.2(58).04

[6] Collins-Kreiner, N. (2020a). A review of research into religion and tourism Launching the Annals of Tourism Research Curated Collection on religion and tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 82, 102892. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102892 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102892

[7] Collins-Kreiner, N. (2020b). Religion and tourism: A diverse and fragmented field in need of a holistic agenda. Annals of Tourism Research, 82, 102892. https://nscpolteksby.ac.id/ebook/files/Ebook/Journal%20International/Jurnal%20Tourism/Annals%20Of%20Tourism%20Research/Volume%2082%2C%20May%202020%2C%20102892.pdf

[8] Evans, A. C. (2023). Home visits, holy visits: Diasporic pilgrimage to the “Holy Land” amongst Palestinian-Jordanian Christians from Amman. Global Networks, 23(1), 291–306. https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.12420 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/glob.12420

[9] Galicia Regional Administration (2020). Plan Estratégico del Xacobeo 2021 (Strategic plan of Xacobeo 2021). https://xacobeo2021.caminodesantiago.gal/osdam/filestore/1/8/0/5/3_66c1f535732692d/18053_e66ed12a82097c3.pdf

[10] INSETE (2022). The Contribution of Tourism to the Greek Economy in 2022; INSETE: Athens, Greece, 2022. https://insete.gr/bi/the-contribution-of-tourism-to-the-greek-economy/?lang=en

[11] Kim, B., Kim, S., & King, B. (2020). Religious tourism studies: evolution, progress, and future prospects. Tourism Recreation Research, 45(2), 185–203. https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2019.1664084 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02508281.2019.1664084

[12] Kostopoulou, S. (2022). Architectural Heritage and Tourism Development in Urban Neighbourhoods: The Case of Upper City, Thessaloniki, Greece. In: Versaci, A., Bougdah, H., Akagawa, N., Cavalagli, N. (Eds.), Conservation of Architectural Heritage. Advances in Science, Technology & Innovation. (pp. 139–152). Cham: Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74482-3_12 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74482-3_12

[13] Kuz, T. I., Maliuta, L. Ia., Ostrovska, H. I., & Nahorniak, H. S. (2021). Approaches to strategic management in the context of ensuring the tourism industry development. Halytskyi Economic Herald, 4(71), 85–91. https://doi.org/10.33108/galicianvisnyk_tntu2021.04.085 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33108/galicianvisnyk_tntu2021.04.085

[14] Lin, H. H., Ling, Y., Lin, J. C., & Liang, Z. F. (2021). Research on the development of religious tourism and the sustainable development of rural environment and health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(5), 2731. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052731 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18052731

[15] Luz, N. (2020). Pilgrimage and religious tourism in Islam. Annals of Tourism Research, 82, 102915. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102915 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2020.102915

[16] Mittal, R., & Sinha, P. (2022). Framework for a resilient religious tourism supply chain for mitigating post-pandemic risk. International Hospitality Review, 36(2), 322–339. https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-09-2020-0053 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IHR-09-2020-0053

[17] Mróz, F. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on pilgrimages and religious tourism in Europe during the first six months of the pandemic. Journal of religion and health, 60(2), 625–645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01201-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01201-0

[18] Mubarak, N., & Zin, C. S. (2020). Religious tourism and mass religious gatherings – the potential link in the spread of COVID-19. Current perspective and future implications. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 36, 101786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101786 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2020.101786

[19] Niziaieva, V., Liganenko, M., Muntyan, I., Ohiienko, M., Goncharenko, M., & Nazarenko, O. (2022). Balancing interests in the field of tourism based on digital marketing tools. Journal of Information Technology Management, 14, 59–77. https://doi.org/10.22059/jitm.2022.88875

[20] Panchenko, S., Bakhov, I., Nych, T., & Boretskaya, N. (2023a). Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism as Social Communication: A Cultural and Historical Analysis of Christian Cinematography. Southern Semiotic Review: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 18, 147–167. https://doi.org/10.33234/SSR.18.9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33234/SSR.18.9

[21] Panchenko, S., Bakhov, I., Pavelchuk, I., & Kostenko, D. (2023b). Tourist pilgrimage routes of the holy apostles: transformation of sacred routes as modern means of international communication. Relacoes Internacionais no Mundo Atual, 4(42), 765–788.

[22] Griffin, K. A., Raj, R., & Fernandes, C. (2020). Reflecting on the Impact of COVID-19 on Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, 8(7), 1–8. https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijrtp/vol13/iss1/1

[23] Rizun, V., Havrylets, Y., Petrenko-Lysak, A., Tukaiev, S., Ivaskevych, D., Yachnik, Y., & Popov, A. (2022). Making up real media reports’ sample on COVID-19 for use in experimental studies. Current Issues of Mass Communication, 31, 64–86. https://doi.org/10.17721/CIMC.2022.31.64-86 DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/CIMC.2022.31.64-86

[24] Robina Ramírez, R., & Fernández Portillo, A. (2020). What role does touristś educational motivation play in promoting religious tourism among travellers? Annals of Leisure Research, 23(3), 407–428. https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2018.1561309 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2018.1561309

[25] Romanelli, M., Gazzola, P., Grechi, D., & Pollice, F. (2021). Towards a sustainability‐oriented religious tourism. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 38(3), 386–396. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2791 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2791

[26] Rosak-Szyrocka, J., Żywiołek, J., Wolniak, R., & Santos, G. (2023). Main reasons for religious tourism-from a quantitative analysis to a model. International Journal for Quality Research, 17(1), 109–120. https://doi.org/10.24874/IJQR17.01-08 DOI: https://doi.org/10.24874/IJQR17.01-08

Downloads

Published

2025-07-19

How to Cite

Panchenko, S., Litovka-Demenina, S., Zatsepina, N., Berezivska, O., & Yarmolyk, D. (2025). Social Institutions and Media Strategies in the Context of Religious Tourism Development. International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion, 7(SI1), 100–114. https://doi.org/10.63931/ijchr.v7iSI1.137

Issue

Vol. 7 No. SI1 (2025): Special Issue 1: From Tradition to Transmission: The Transformation of Culture and Social Life in the Digital Age

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Svitlana Panchenko, Svitlana Litovka-Demenina, Nataly Zatsepina, Oksana Berezivska, Dina Yarmolyk

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.