Big Data Analysis for Digital Marketing Purposes in Religious Tourism: A Review

Leonidas Theodorakopoulos, Alexandra Theodoropoulou and Ioanna Giannoukou ()
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Leonidas Theodorakopoulos: University of Patras, EDILAB, Department of Management Science and Technology
Alexandra Theodoropoulou: University of Patras, EDILAB, Department of Management Science and Technology
Ioanna Giannoukou: University of Patras, EDILAB, Department of Management Science and Technology

A chapter in Synergizing Management, Culture, and Arts for Tourism Development - Vol. 2, 2026, pp 93-133 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The digital transformation of religious tourism is redefining how sacred destinations are managed, promoted, and experienced worldwide. As faith-based journeys intersect with big data analytics and digital marketing, religious sites are propelled from local tradition to global visibility through real-time personalization, algorithmic outreach, and predictive modeling. This comprehensive review examines how digital tools—ranging from artificial intelligence and IoT-enabled infrastructure to virtual and augmented reality—are being leveraged across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North America, Latin America, and Africa, synthesizing both convergences and persistent regional divergences. The analysis reveals that big data empowers destination managers and marketers to decode complex patterns of visitor behavior, forecast demand, and tailor experiences to diverse spiritual and cultural preferences. Digital marketing, in turn, catalyzes new forms of engagement, transforming the decision-making process for travelers and organizations alike by enabling targeted communication, dynamic package offerings, and real-time response to emerging trends. Challenges of authenticity, ethical stewardship, and equitable access remain. Still, the integration of these technologies is already recalibrating tourism decision-making at every level—from strategic destination planning to the micro-moments of individual pilgrimage. By mapping global trends and regional adaptations, this chapter illuminates how digital innovation is not only expanding the reach of religious tourism but also fundamentally altering the choices, experiences, and future possibilities for pilgrims and practitioners across the world.

Keywords: Virtual reality (VR); Augmented reality (AR); Personalization of travel experiences; Artificial intelligence (AI); Tourism decision-making (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L86 M31 O33 Z32 Z33 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-17534-2_3

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