Religious Tourism in Asia : Tradition and Change Through Case Studies and Narratives

The Asia-Pacific region is considered the world's religious core, with the greatest number of pilgrims and travellers to religious events for both international and domestic tourism. It is estimated that there are approximately 600 million national and international religious and spiritual voyages in the world, of which over half take place in Asia. This book focuses on tourism and sacred sites in Asia. Contemporary case studies of religious and pilgrimage activities provide key learning points and present practical examples from this 'hub' of pilgrimage destinations. They explore ancient, sacred and emerging tourist destinations and new forms of pilgrimage, faith systems and quasi-religious activities. It will be of interest to researchers within religious, cultural, heritage and Asian tourism.Key features include:- An Asian perspective on a growing area of tourism.- Case studies from across the continent.- Full-colour images of pilgrimage sites and key destinations bring the topic to life.

Dr Razaq Raj is Principal Lecturer in the Leeds Business School. His research interests include community events, outdoor events, economic impacts, religious tourism, cultural festivals and sustainable tourism, cultural diversity in events management and international tourism. Dr Razaq Raj is the author of the textbooks Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Management: An International Perspective, Event Management: An integrated and practical approach and Event Management and Sustainability. Dr Razaq Raj is also a board member of international journals and academic associations. Editor of International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Editor of International Journal of Islands Research Editor of International Journal of Islamic TourismSeries Editor, CABI Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Book Series

Dr.Kevin Griffin Bed, MA, PhD. Having studied teaching then tourism organisation and historic settlement I worked in a number of Geography Departments in the Dublin / Kildare area. Since 2001 I have worked at the DIT where I am actively involved in teaching and researching a broad range of tourism topics with particular specialism in both heritage and sustainable tourism. Editor in Chief, International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Editor in Chief, International Journal of Tour Guiding Research Editor in Chief, International Journal of Islands ResearchSeries Editor, CABI Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Book Series Research Interests My main areas of academic interest include:* Tourism and Sustainability / Environmental Issues* Heritage Tourism* Religious Tourism / Pilgrimage* Social Tourism* Teaching Methodologies and Tourism* Local History / Heritage