From pilgrimage to volunteer tourism: A spiritual journey in the contemporary world

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to explore how the experiences of international volunteer tourists can contribute to the rejuvenation of the concept of pilgrimage in the contemporary world. Through thematic analysis of the individual portraits, this paper identifies the intertwining of the rejuvenation of pilgrimage with the concepts of meaning, ritual, and transformative experiences within the context of international volunteer tourism. The findings suggest that the current understanding of pilgrimage in contemporary tourism surpasses the notion of a journey to a religious destination, transcending religion itself. This paper extends the comprehension of modern pilgrimage and spirituality, and highlights the necessity for further research into the complex interconnections between tourism, religion, and spirituality.