AISSMS College of Hotel Management & Catering Technology, Pune, Maharashtra, India.
Abstract
Religious tourism refers to travel that is primarily done with the
intention of experiencing a religion’s nature or the byproducts it
creates, such as the local art, civilisation, customs, and architecture.
Religious tourism in India has two distinct characteristics: first,
there is the faith of the domestic tourist, who has a spiritual
connection to the deity/destination and their religious beliefs;
second, there is the category of “foreign” tourist, who is someone
who belongs to a different religion or region, and for whom the
tourist destination and the religious practises have the element
of “novelty,” or a spiritual experience different from their own.
The hospitality and tourist industries gain from and contribute to
religious tourism. Furthermore, Indians who live overseas are
choosing to travel to their place of origin for their vacations. The
development of infrastructure facilities at the destination is made
possible by tourism, which also helps generate sustainable income
for the local community and the government, supports regional
development strategies through the “umbrella” effect, and fosters
peace and socio-cultural harmony. But in order to manage and
prevent the negative effects, tourist development needs to be
regulated across every area. Due to its complexity, which includes
aspects of the economy, ecology, culture, and psychology, tourism
is regarded to be of utmost importance for development. It is
also acknowledged as one of the biggest industries in the world,
contributing significantly to the GDP, and it has a huge potential
for future expansion. As a result, “Sustainable religious tourism
development” is now crucial for both wealthy and developing
nations. Given the presence of basic infrastructure and the variety
of tourist themes offered by diverse places in Maharashtra, there
is a significant potential for expansion in the tourism industry.
Maharashtra has a storied past and vibrant culture. In the following
paper, we are attempting to concentrate on Pune, a location for
both established and developing religious tourism.
Keywords: Religious Tourism, Historical Sites, Economic Impact, Cultural Heritage, Tourism Development
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