Religious tourism market set for significant expansion

December 30, 2024

Culture / Tourism /

A newly released study has identified that the global religious tourism market is set for strong growth, with a projected value of US$243.54 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%.

According to The Business Research Company the market will increase from US$161.51 billion in 2023 to $174.98 billion in 2024, driven by a rise in demand for spiritual journeys, pilgrimages, and religious heritage experiences.

Identifying that one of the key factors behind this growth is the growing interest in spirituality and wellbeing, the report advises “travellers are seeking destinations that allow them to connect with their faith, engage in meaningful spiritual practices, and cultivate a sense of inner peace.”

Popular spiritual destinations such as India, Israel and Saudi Arabia are seeing more visitors seeking these experiences.

The market's expansion is also supported by the availability of low-cost airfares, faith-based travel packages, and technology that simplifies the booking process. In particular, online booking platforms are playing a significant role in making religious travel more accessible.

The Middle East remains the largest market for religious tourism, with Saudi Arabia and Israel being prominent due to Mecca and Jerusalem's religious significance. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region, driven by Catholic pilgrimages to sites like Vatican City.

Several companies are capitalising on this growth, including Booking Holdings Inc., Expedia Group, and Viator Inc., all offering customised tours and experiences tailored to spiritual travellers.

Looking ahead, the market is also poised to benefit from the increasing demand for eco-friendly travel options, as more tourists seek destinations that support sustainability and offer authentic spiritual experiences.

Image: Muslim Pilgrims at the Kaaba in Mecca during umra and hajj. Saudi Arabia is a key player in religious tourism, with Mecca being a major destination for Muslim pilgrimages, contributing significantly to the region's market growth. Credit: Shutterstock.

24th December 2024 - Tourism Australia looks to promote Muslim-friendly holidays for Indonesians

7th December 2024 - 2024 sees global tourism approach full recovery

9th October 2024 - Global tourism industry economic contribution grows faster than its environmental impact

5th October 2024 - Malaysia maintains top ranking as destination for Muslim travellers

22nd June 2024 - More than 1,000 Hajj pilgrims die amid soaring temperatures

8th December 2023 - Religious festivals overtake sporting events as scenes of deadly crowd incidents

27th September 2023 - Global tourism grows to 84% of pre-pandemic levels

20th September 2023 - Saudi Arabia hosts global Tourism leaders to celebrate World Tourism Day 2023

22nd June 2023 - UNWTO and World Travel and Tourism Council Sign Historic MOU

20th June 2023 - Asia-Pacific nations back UNWTO tourism safety initiative

29th May 2023 - UNWTO looks to build a new ‘narrative’ around tourism as a driver of growth

8th March 2023 - World Travel Protection organisation highlights safety issues for women

29th October 2021 - World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage announces new Chief Executive

10th September 2021 - 2021 World Tourism Day set to celebrate inclusivity

27th September 2019 - Saudi Arabia looks to open up to non-Muslim international tourists

25th October 2016 - Hajj pilgrimage to boost Saudi Arabian tourism to over 20 million visitors by 2020

29th July 2015 - Malaysia named top global tourism destination for Muslims

20th January 2014 - Teenagers hurt in ‘mosh pit’ incident at Christian festival

28th February 2013 - Saudi Arabia earns $16.5 billion from religious tourism

20th August 2012 - Asia prepares for Muslim travel boom

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.