The Asia Pacific religious tourism industry is set to progress steadily, with an estimated CAGR of 11.4% between 2024 and 2034. Starting at USD 7,940.1 million in 2024, it's on track to zoom past USD 23,371 million by 2034.
Religious tourism is growing fast in the overall Asia Pacific travel industry as this region is seen as the world's religious center. It has been projected that nearly 600 million spiritual and religious trips are taken globally. More than half of these trips occur in the Asia Pacific itself. It has the most pilgrims and travelers for religious events, both international and domestic.
The demand for religious tourism is increasing in this region because it is seen as both diverse and broad. There are two main types of religious tourists in this region. Domestic tourists have a spiritual connection to the destination based on their beliefs. Foreign tourists want to experience a different spiritual tradition.
Industry Analysis of Religious Tourism in the Asia Pacific
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Estimated Asia Pacific Religious Tourism Industry Size (2024E) | USD 7,940.1 million |
| Projected Asia Pacific Religious Tourism Industry Value (2034F) | USD 23,371 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 11.4% |
Religious tourism in Asia Pacific is becoming more popular every year because more international and domestic travelers are visiting. Many spiritual destinations in the Asia Pacific have advanced transport systems, good technology, and excellent human resources. These factors increase the demand for religious tourism in the Asia Pacific.
More disposable income, a growing population, and increased awareness of travel destinations are key factors for the industry's growth. More travel destinations, more leisure travelers, and cheap air travel also boost industry growth across top religious destinations of this region.
The Asia Pacific religious tourism industry has many categories. These include pilgrimages, faith-based camps, religious retreats, conventions and rallies, leisure vacations, guest stays, monastery visits, and other religious attractions.
Religious pilgrimages and festivals have been important in many religions across Asia Pacific for centuries. People see it as their duty to visit places of worship and take part in their faith festivals regularly. Well-known pilgrimages include Varanasi in India, Shwedagon Pagoda in Myanmar, Borobudur in Java, Indonesia, Wat Phra Kaeo Temple of the Emerald Buddha in Bangkok, Thailand, and the Terracotta Army in Xi'an, China.
Young people and millennials are eager to experience spiritual tourism to see beauty and spiritual places. Besides, people want authentic experiences and to engage in the spiritual and cultural traditions of a specific religion. This desire is driving the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry too.
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The table shows how the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry is likely to grow from 2024 to 2034 compared to the old predictions from 2023 to 2033.
| Particular | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| H1 | 11.6% (2023 to 2033) |
| H2 | 10.9% (2023 to 2033) |
| H1 | 11.7% (2024 to 2034) |
| H2 | 11% (2024 to 2034) |
The religious tourism industry’s growth in Asia Pacific was about to initially start at a CAGR of 11.6% in the first half of the previous forecast decade, from 2023 to 2033. This rate was estimated to decline to 10.9% in the second half of this period. From 2024 to 2034, the growth rate of religious tourism in Asia Pacific is ready to take off at 11.7% and then projected to drop again to 11% in the second half of this period.
Developing Countries of the Asia Pacific Witness Boom in Religious Tourism
The present state of the industry points to a varied picture. Religious tourism in the Asia Pacific varies significantly between developing and underdeveloped countries. While developing countries in Asia Pacific excel in fostering religious tourism through infrastructure development and promotional efforts, underdeveloped countries face challenges that hinder their ability to attract and accommodate religious tourists effectively.
Developing countries like India, China, Thailand, and Indonesia often attract large numbers of religious tourists due to their rich cultural heritage and historical significance. Organically, these countries invest in infrastructure, such as temples, shrines, and accommodation facilities, to cater to the needs of pilgrims and tourists.
Given the high benefit from government initiatives and private investments that promote religious sites as tourist destinations, revenue from faith-based tourism is also stable and estimated to rise during the forecast period.
On the other hand, underdeveloped countries in the region, such as Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia, face challenges in developing their religious tourism sectors. Limited infrastructure, including transportation and lodging options, can hinder tourist accessibility to religious sites. Also, political instability and economic constraints often impact the growth and promotion of religious tourism in these nations to a certain extent.
Social Media is Sparking Spiritual Tourism Growth in Asia Pacific
Right now, consumers and travelers across the Asia Pacific use social media like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others to stay connected digitally. In January 2023, the Asia Pacific had more than 60% of the world's social media users. China had more than 1 billion active users, and India had beyond 450 million active users during that time.
Social media has greatly influenced how spiritual places are branded and how travelers make decisions. Many tourist companies and boards use social media to promote religious tourism. Studying how social media influences decision-making for spiritual destinations is important.
On the other hand, travelers use social media actively to share their travel stories, posts, and videos with a large audience. This can influence others who are thinking about visiting a place for their spiritual well-being. This is expected to help the religious tourism industry in Asia Pacific grow.
Asia’s Religious Tourism Thrives through Modern-day Conference and Networking
Several conferences take place in this region to promote religious tourism. These conferences bring attention to the cultural and spiritual significance of various religious sites. These, in turn, foster interest and collaboration to promote and develop religious tourism in the region.
The 2nd International Asia Pacific Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference, for instance, will impact the religious tourism industry in the Asia Pacific in many ways. It was held from January 17, 2024, to January 19, 2024. The conference helped experts and professionals work together. This can lead to new tourism projects.
There are talks about sustainable practices that encourage eco-friendly and respectful tourism. The conference shows the economic benefits of religious tourism. This can attract investment and support. The conference raises awareness about the region's religious heritage which can attract more international tourists.
Principal Consultant
The industry size of religious tourism in the Asia Pacific was USD 4,690.9 million in 2019 and USD 7,146.8 million in 2023. Taking into account the CAGR of 11.1% during this period, it can be inferred that investment and development opportunities in the Asia Pacific for the religious tourism industry are set to remain promising.
During the forecast period, the religious tourism industry experienced significant growth in Asia Pacific. Many pilgrimage sites reported rising visitor numbers each year. Governments and private investors were actively developing infrastructure and services to enhance the experience for religious travelers.
The political stability across countries has helped the industry grow. This period marked a steady expansion in facilities such as hotels, transportation options, and tour services tailored to the needs of pilgrims.
Rapid surge in tourist footfall at spiritual spaces is a contemporary phenomenon. Post-pandemic, when people across the world witnessed the death of close family members, they were attracted to spirituality. This phenomenon is set to persist in the upcoming years as well. This is why, the religious tourism industry in the Asia Pacific is expected to progress steadily at about 11.4% CAGR during the forecast period.
The number of people traveling to famous religious sites is likely to touch the skies. Countries like India, China, and Japan are likely to witness more visitors in the upcoming years. Governments of these countries are focusing on infrastructural developments which are projected to be proven beneficial for the religious tourism industry.
Industry players have the opportunity to develop specifically crafted tours and packages for religious travelers. Technological advancements are also anticipated to create favorable growth prospects. Digital tools like websites and mobile applications are likely to make it easier for tourists to plan religious trips.
Tier 1 companies lead the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry with big names like Viator, Inc., TourTravelWorld.Com, and Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd controlling it. They bring in about USD 4,288.1 million since they are famous for providing high-quality tour services. They are known for their excellent customer service and offer diverse religious tour packages.
They have a strong industry presence and brand recognition. Most of them use advanced technology to enrich the travel experience. They have established partnerships with many religious sites to provide customized tour plans.
Tier 2 companies like Easy Tour Asia Pacific Travel Co. Ltd., N.S. Travel & Tours Co., Ltd, and Go Thailand Tours hold about USD 1,286.4 million in revenue. Although they are not as large as Tier 1 companies, these Tier 2 companies are favored for offering affordable tour packages and good quality services.
They focus on customer satisfaction by offering flexible tour options. They are known for personalized travel experiences as they cater to niche markets. These companies have strong local knowledge and they try to maintain good relationships with local religious sites.
Tier 3 companies like Heritage Tours & Travels, Vansol Travel & Tours, Sacred Journey Tours, and Pilgrimage Asia are less prominent than Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies, yet they still bring in considerable revenue of about USD 128.6 million. What sets them apart from Tier 1 and Tier 2 companies is their focus on unique and specialized tours. They offer intimate and small-group experiences with budget-friendly options.
They provide personalized attention to customers. People know them for their deep cultural knowledge. They have strong connections with local communities as well. They are flexible enough to easily adapt to specific customer needs.
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Recent trends in the religious tourism industry across the top 3 performing countries of the Asia Pacific are discussed below. India is emerging as a key player in the industry. It is expected to grow faster than China and Japan, with a CAGR of 13.6% compared to China's 12.7% and Japan’s 12.1% through 2034.
| Countries | CAGR 2024 to 2034 |
|---|---|
| India | 13.6% |
| China | 12.7% |
| Japan | 12.1% |
India’s religious tourism industry outlook looks bright as it is forecasted to expand at a CAGR of 13.6%. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Punjab, and Uttarakhand are expected to lead in generating revenues in the field of religious tourism.
For instance, the inauguration of the Ram Mandir is set to be a game-changer as far as religious tourism is concerned. This event has taken the country into the global faith-based tourism limelight.
According to Ministry of Tourism data, religious tourism had 1439 million tourists in 2022. Places of religious tourism earned USD 0.6 billion that year. The sector is predicted to make USD 0.7 billion by 2028. The increase in religious tourism is likely to boost small businesses in travel, tourism, hospitality, and related fields. This growth could open up entrepreneurial opportunities in various places.
Government is investing in renovating and protecting national heritage sites. For instance, preserving Himalayan and Buddhist cultural heritage is a priority for the government.
Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the government has started 76 projects. These projects aim to develop thematic circuits that highlight India's rich cultural heritage. These developments are expected to create a good environment for the religious tourism industry in India during the forecast period.
The 12.7% CAGR reflects that the religious tourism industry in China is set to skyrocket in the upcoming decade. A developing attentiveness to religion is uplifting religious tourism in China. Apart from international spiritual visitors, spiritual tourism is also catching the eyes of domestic tourists.
The government also promotes domestic tourism as a result to encourage people to visit their own country. This phenomenon is set to generate a lot of profit in the industry.
Based on data provided by China's State Council Information Office (SCIO), the total number of religious sites listed with the five authorized religious associations amplified by 11%, from about 130,000 in 2009 to 144,000 in 2018. A spike in the construction of Buddhist and Taoist temples is the reason behind this. This has improved the country's fledging religion-related tourism industry over the past few years and is projected to do so in the near future as well.
Even though religious tourism in Japan is still in its nascent stage, the country is still witnessing a boom in this industry. While the constitution of this country forbids it from endorsing religion, state agencies however buoy up spiritual travelers to stopover religious sites. They do so by bestowing them as signs of a communal heritage, in ways that reserve them from 'religion'. This is creating a favorable environment for industry players to improve their revenues.
An increasing number of spiritual travelers are visiting Japan for religious purposes. This surge is noticeable in both urban and rural locations of this country. During the entire year, Japan greets people at its numerous festivals and matsuri. Traditional Japanese festivals, or matsuri, include the convoy of the mikoshi, or floats, from one sanctuary to another.
The vivacious atmosphere and abundant street food deeds at these occasions regularly appeal to thousands of tourists every single summer. As a result, the future projection of the religious tourism industry in Japan indicates a CAGR of 12.1%.
This section of the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry forecast analysis arranges for the whole story about the industry's top segments. In terms of type, the religious and heritage tours segment is estimated to dominate by holding a share of 33.7% in 2024. By age group, the 46 to 55 years category is projected to strengthen its standing as the out-and-out winner by tracking down a share of 29.3% in 2024.
In recent years, religious and heritage tours have attracted people from every age group. Coming back to the present day, there is an emerging trend of going to see cultural or religious sites. This occurrence ranks high on modern travelers’ wish lists amongst the numerous inspirations for traveling. This is backing the growth of this segment.
| Segment | Religious and Heritage Tours (Type) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 33.7% |
The unprecedented growth of this segment is also because of the synchronized activities, involvement with faith-based events, and social impact interacting with one another.
This particular happening is associated with millennials and younger adults' budding craving to be involved with several cultures and religions. These tourists' longing to acquire more knowledge about cultures, ideologies, and the history of several places in the Asia Pacific has resulted in a spike in demand for these types of voyages.
The age group of 46 to 55 years is mostly tilted toward spiritual tourism. People of this age group develop an increasing interest in traveling to various kinds of religious places as see themselves at the end of their life. One significant example of this trend is the Char Dham Yatra across four significant Hindu temples in India. This tour is extremely popular among this particular age group.
| Segment | 46 to 55 Years (Age Group) |
|---|---|
| Value Share (2024) | 29.3% |
While not everyone becomes more religious with age, research suggests that people have a tendency to value religion more as they age. This compels individuals, especially domestic travelers, to go to various religious tourist places within the Asia Pacific. Plus, age works as a significant determinant here. As people age, they lose the potential to travel to religious places overseas. Hence, they prefer visiting religious places in their own country.
The Asia Pacific religious tourism industry opportunity analysis indicates that companies compete depending on multiple factors. As the industry is becoming too competitive day by day, players are adopting diverse strategies
The industry is growing fast, and industry players are speeding up by implementing unique digital marketing strategies. These strategies include leveraging social media platforms, promoting travel blogs, and providing virtual tours. They intend to engage with a larger audience with their promotional efforts.
To stay ahead in the game, key players in the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry are making huge investments in offering multilingual tours. They are establishing informative applications and visitor centers to improve visibility and accessibility.
The Asia Pacific religious tourism industry's competitive landscape shows that top companies are also focusing on the affordability side as well. They are offering budget-friendly tour packages to cost-conscious travelers to attract them.
Recent developments in the Asia Pacific religious tourism industry show that top players are doing some mergers and acquisitions apart from establishing partnerships. Through these strategic moves between local governments, religious institutions, and private tourism companies, players try to achieve greater industry penetration.
Industry Updates
Based on type, the industry is branched into day trips and local gateways, museums, pilgrimages, religious and heritage tours, and others.
When it comes to tour type, the industry is trifurcated into independent traveler, tour group, and package traveler.
In terms of booking channel, the industry is bifurcated into online booking and offline booking.
Depending on age group, the industry is categorized into 15 to 25 years, 26 to 35 years, 36 to 45 years, 46 to 55 years, and 66 to 75 years.
In the Asia Pacific, a regional analysis has been carried out across China, India, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Rest of Asia Pacific.
The industry is set to reach a valuation of USD 7,940.1 million in 2024.
A CAGR of 11.4% is projected for the industry through 2034.
Opportunities worth USD 23,371 million by 2034 is estimated.
Religious and heritage tours to account for a significant industry share in 2024.
India is predicted to be an investment hotspot for investors and stakeholders.
1. Executive Summary 2. Industry Introduction, including Taxonomy and Market Definition 3. Market Trends and Success Factors, including Macro-economic Factors, Market Dynamics, and Recent Industry Developments 4. Market Demand Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, including Historical Analysis and Future Projections 5. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034 5.1. Type 5.2. Booking Channel 5.3. Tour Type 5.4. Age Group 6. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Type 6.1. Day Trips & Local Gateways 6.2. Museums 6.3. Pilgrimages 6.4. Religious and Heritage Tours 6.5. Others 7. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Booking Channel 7.1. Online Booking 7.2. Offline Booking 8. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Tour Type 8.1. Independent Traveler 8.2. Tour Group 8.3. Package Traveler 9. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Age Group 9.1. 15 to 25 Years 9.2. 26 to 35 Years 9.3. 36 to 45 Years 9.4. 46 to 55 Years 9.5. 66 to 75 Years 10. Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, By Country 10.1. China 10.2. India 10.3. Japan 10.4. Thailand 10.5. Indonesia 10.6. Pakistan 10.7. Rest of Asia Pacific 11. China Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 12. India Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 13. Japan Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 14. Thailand Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 15. Indonesia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 16. Pakistan Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 17. Rest of Asia Pacific Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 18. Sales Forecast 2024 to 2034 by Type, Booking Channel, Tour Type, and Age Group for 30 Countries 19. Competition Outlook, including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard 20. Company Profile 20.1. Easy Tour Asia Pacific Travel Co. Ltd. 20.2. TourTravelWorld.Com 20.3. Viator, Inc. 20.4. N.S. Travel & Tours Co., Ltd 20.5. Go Thailand Tours 20.6. Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd 20.7. Heritage Tours & Travels 20.8. Vansol Travel & Tours
Travel and Tourism
February 2023
REP-GB-3035
250 pages
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Religious Tourism Industry Analysis in Asia Pacific
