Religious tourism and its management: the hajj in Saudi Arabia

TLDR

Religion and tourism are closely linked, with pilgrimage exemplifying this relationship; the hajj, a mass movement of Muslims to holy cities in Saudi Arabia, highlights key issues of demand and provision in contemporary religious tourism. The study aims to deepen understanding of the hajj’s uniqueness and significance and to illuminate challenges in managing large‑scale religious tourism in the twenty‑first century. The authors describe how the Saudi government strictly controls pilgrim numbers while expanding space at holy sites, increasing accommodation and amenities, and improving supporting infrastructure. The study finds that ambitious development projects raise concerns about the sustainability of the hajj’s growth pace. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Abstract Religion and tourism share a close relationship in which the former motivates travel and is a source of assorted visitor attractions. Pilgrimage is one expression of the ties between the two and the paper identifies key pilgrimage tourism issues pertaining to demand and provision that are discussed within the context of the contemporary hajj. The hajj by Muslims to the cities they deem holy in Saudi Arabia is a distinctive illustration that involves the mass movement of pilgrims every year. Numbers are strictly controlled, but set to rise as the government pursues a policy of expanding space at certain holy sites and encouraging an increase in the supply of accommodation and other amenities as well as enhancing supporting infrastructure. Some projects are very ambitious, leading to questions about whether the pace of development is sustainable. The purpose of the study is to improve understanding of the uniqueness and significance of the hajj phenomenon and illuminate the challenges of managing large‐scale religious tourism events in the changing world of the twenty‐first century. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.