Religious Tourism Motives and Experiences of Visitors to Selected Religious Sites in Camarines Sur, Philippines |Chapter 5 | Insights into Economics and Management Vol. 5

In recent years, pilgrimage has been considered one of the world's rising activities for people. The presence of numerous religious sites and activities in the Philippines makes it more important to promote pilgrimage or religious tourism, particularly in the region of Bicol, where the home of Ina is popularly known as Our Lady of the Virgin Peñafrancia. In addition, further understanding of the intentions and behaviours of religious travellers is considered essential. This paper thus analysed the motivating factors of religious tourism (religious and secular) and the experiences of tourists to selected holy sites using a descriptive research tool. Religious motives were found to prevail substantially as very important reasons for tourists to set out on the journey compared to secular motives that are considered not to be very important motivators for travel to religious sites. This suggests that religious tourists are inspired by their innate spiritual desire, such as the fulfilment of religious beliefs and the fulfilment of religious interest (faith and practice). Their experiences were primarily studied for spiritual (religious) engagement rather than for tourism activities (secular). It can also be observed that pilgrimage destinations and/or sites have become a multifunctional nature that welcomes visitors in general with the rise of travellers for religious tourism, whether for religious or secular reasons. It is also very difficult to balance tourists who have come for religious and secular purposes, so it is crucial to consider the critical positions of church managers and a regional tourism organisation.

Author (s) Details

Niño R. Rebuya
Tourism Management Department, Partido State University—San Jose Campus, San Jose, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

Dr. Emy S. Lasarte
Partido State University—San Jose Campus, San Jose, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

Dr. Mericia Mila A. Amador
Partido State University—San Jose Campus, San Jose, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

Dr. Gina R. De la Roca
Partido State University—San Jose Campus, San Jose, Camarines Sur, Philippines.

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