Religious Festivals in Tourism Research: A Systematic Review of Stakeholders, Themes, Theories, and Methodologies
Year: 2026
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Religious festivals are increasingly recognized as significant cultural and tourism phenomena, yet their study from a tourism perspective remains underexplored. This systematic literature review examines the thematic focus, stakeholder involvement, research methods, and theoretical frameworks employed in the study of religious festivals. Using the PRISMA framework and the Covidence data management tool, 24 studies were selected from an initial pool of 493. The findings reveal that research on religious festivals has primarily focused on visitor experiences, motivations, perceptions, and impacts, with limited attention to stakeholder integration and theoretical diversity. Notably, religious leaders and ministers, key actors in festival organization, are underrepresented in the literature. This review identifies critical gaps, including the need for sustainability-focused research, broader stakeholder engagement, and the application of diverse theoretical frameworks. By synthesizing existing knowledge, this study provides a roadmap for advancing research on religious festivals and their intersections with tourism.
Source: Heritage
Authors: Dagnachew Nega, Alexander Trupp
Institutions: Sunway University, Universität Innsbruck
Language: English
Topic: Religious Tourism and Spaces
Subfield: Geography, Planning and Development
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,930
OpenAlex ID: W7127380399