Religious Tourism and Sustainability in the MENA Region

This volume addresses multiple emerging needs, foremost among them the growing demand for a structured theoretical and methodological framework concerning the religious tourism sector. This domain, undergoing continuous expansion, now constitutes a significant component of the global tourism landscape, as demonstrated by data on the halal tourism market, projected to reach a value of approximately $300 billion by 2030. The prospect of such substantial growth underscores the imperative to cultivate specific competencies – skills that integrate a deep sensitivity to cultural and spiritual dimensions with the managerial acumen demanded by today's tourism industry. In a world marked by increasing mobility and a renewed quest for holistic and meaningful experiences, religious tourism emerges as a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It transcends the traditional notion of pilgrimage to encompass diverse forms of travel motivated by spiritual exploration, the rediscovery of cultural roots, and the appreciation of religiously inspired artistic heritage. In this context, the volume offers a significant contribution to the development of an educational approach to religious tourism – an approach that embraces innovation while remaining steadfast in its core objective: to prepare professionals equipped to act with competence and ethical awareness in intercultural contexts. The ultimate aim is to transform religious tourism into a genuine space for encounter, mutual understanding, and respectful dialogue in an increasingly polarized and tension-filled global society.