INVESTIGATING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM: GREECE IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT
Abstract
Religious tourism is one of the oldest forms of human mobility and is closely associated with cultural heritage, sustainable local development, the diversification of the tourism product, and the search for authentic experiences. Over recent decades, tourist interest in visiting religious sites around the world has increased markedly. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the economic impact of religious tourism by comparing Greece with the broader European context. The research adopts a rigorous systematic literature review approach and follows a structured review protocol. The findings indicate that while Greece possesses exceptional religious and cultural resources, important gaps remain in measuring visitor expenditure, employment, and multiplier effects. The research therefore proposes an integrated model linking sacred resources, accessibility, visitor experience, destination image, the local value chain, governance, and sustainability to direct, indirect, and induced economic effects. Taken together, these dimensions provide a basis for more coherent policy design in religious tourism, making them highly relevant to both public and private stakeholders involved in the development and management of this tourism sector.
JEL: F30, R11
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v10i6.2305
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