Risk, faith and religious tourism in Second Modernity: visits to Mount Athos in the COVID-19 era

Abstract

This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the decision of people to visit the Mount Athos monastic community. It traces the immediate reaction of pilgrims and visitors to a world religious/ heritage place vis-à-vis the global health risk. The questionnaire-based methodology investigates the respondents' attitude towards faith, as well as their socio-cultural background to contextualize their stances and preferences on the aspects of their past and future visits. Moreover, the terms ‘Risk Society' and ‘Second Modernity' provide a theoretical background in relation to the COVID-19 influence on visitors and pilgrims' motivations. The results of this research point towards the resilience of religious destinations in the face of looming health risks such as the current epidemic.