The Renewed Interest in Religious Tourism

Religious tourism is one of the leading types of tourism in the world. Over the centuries, it's been one of the most important elements moving the economy of important sites like Jerusalem or Santiago de Compostela. Recently this kind of tourism has been renewed after the Covid-19 pandemic.

The importance of religious tourism

The spiritual dimension of humans is one of the most important parts of their personality. Everyone believes in something higher that connects them with a transcendent element.

That's why spiritual life is one of the most important dimensions to live with naturalness and relate to others, and also to find inner peace.

For this reason, thousands of people undertake religious tourism every year. Some visit India to connect with themselves, or the Holy Land to see the most important relics of Jewish or Catholic religion.

A great example of religious tourism recently renewed are the pilgrimages to Santiago de Compostela made by tourists year-round.

Along the Jacobean routes, different pilgrims arrive from various places in Europe to visit the tomb where the remains of Saint James the Apostle rest.

The best examples of religious tourism

Religious tourism has generated major economic returns over the centuries. Here are some examples. Beyond the Camino, you'll also find:

• The Vatican seat at Saint Peter's Basilica.
• Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.
• The Padre Pio Sanctuary in Italy.
• The Sacred Bath of the Ganges in India.

Each region also has religious tourism points of major importance to its specific community.

The importance of tourism in Santiago de Compostela

Tourism in Santiago de Compostela has been so important that it is now, along with Jerusalem and Rome, one of the three largest Christian pilgrimage centres in the world.

This has been the case since medieval times, and even with the rise of tourism in Lourdes or Italy, Compostela remains a centre of religiosity and fervour.

Pilgrims travel to Santiago for diverse reasons — personal interest, devotion, fulfilling a promise or gaining plenary indulgence. Each pilgrim has their own argument for the journey.

The Somport Pass

In the highest part of the Spanish Pyrenees sits the Somport Pass and the hospital and monastery of Santa Cristina de Somport. Today they are archaeological heritage sites, but they began to assist pilgrims along the Camino.

This is one of the most important tourism points along the Camino. Thousands of pilgrims still visit to experience the popular religiosity around this important old hospital.

Alto del Perdón

Alto del Perdón is another religious and tourism point on the Camino. It hosted not only a pilgrim hospital but also the famous hermitage of the Virgin of Forgiveness.

This area is important because, over the years, it had been lost, and the Friends of the Way of Saint James decided to build a monument that includes figures of pilgrims marking the arrival.

When you see the Alto del Perdón, you know you've officially reached Santiago de Compostela. A classic example of religious tourism here is taking traditional photos with the pilgrim figures.