Virtual religious tourism: an agenda for future research

Eleanor O’Keeffe and Ruth Dowson

Chapter 8 in A Research Agenda for Religious Tourism, 2024, pp 115-130 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced greater use and production of virtual pilgrimage, originating new ritual producers, creating new partnership opportunities, engaging wider audiences and generating cultural sites of intergenerational, transnational and multicultural action and exchange. This chapter draws on empirical studies of virtual pilgrimage undertaken during the pandemic, elucidating transformations and highlighting future challenges. Firstly, research into ritual innovation (BRIC-19) attempted an empirical analysis of broader macro changes to the landscape of virtual pilgrimage within the United Kingdom. Secondly, a longitudinal micro-study followed two international virtual pilgrimages in the Holy Land, delivered in English and Spanish, through social media, by the Roman Catholic Magdala Experience project in Israel. The chapter identifies thematic concerns for future research: scales and communities; technologies and infrastructures; heritagisation and globalisation; and changing dynamics of the secular/post-secular in online religious tourism. Methodological complications are addressed, along with problems posed by shifting social and cultural dynamics under COVID-19.

Keywords: Development Studies; Environment; Geography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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