Since the dawn of humanity, people have traveled in search of meaning and to petition for worldly and otherworldly blessings. In the twenty-first century, the number of people traveling to religious sacred sites on pilgrimage, for example, has increased more than at any point in human history. An increased demand for pilgrimage routes and trails with the spiritual rather than the religious walker in mind, has also led various enterprising groups and individuals to develop entirely new pilgrimage routes and trails. This book highlights this new chapter in pilgrimage and trail development with essays by pilgrimage scholars and practitioners of pilgrimage and faith-based tourism working in over ten countries. These include an examination of circular pilgrimage in The Netherlands, weird or "anti-pilgrimages" in the UK, and the revitalization of ancient trails along the Old Way to Canterbury, in the Baltic States, and on the Kumano Kodo in Japan. Entirely new trails include the Sufi Trail in Turkey, the Western Front Way in Europe, the Abraham Path in Southwest Asia, the Mormon Canadian Trail, and various new religious-themed trails in Lebanon. Human rights focused pilgrimages include one focused on peace building in Indigenous Australia, Indigenous settler pilgrimage protocols in Canada, and an emancipation pilgrimage along the Underground Railroad in the United States.

Presented in this volume, the first of its kind that is entirely dedicated to food in the context of pilgrimage and faith-based tourism, are different case studies gathered for the benefit of academia, pilgrimage stakeholders, faith-based tourism stakeholders, planning and policy makers, tourist guides, students and interested readers. This knowledge hopefully will find its way into practical applications and educational materials. The potential of this volume is that the contributors have researched food as an addendum of the spiritual experience of food within the context of pilgrimage and faith-based tourism, namely that giving, receiving and sharing promotes respect and understanding. Food can be used simultaneously as an active peace-building tool, to promote inclusion, bridging cultures and harmony at table.

Managing Religious Tourism provides a global view of the tools and resources used in demand and supply management, in the context of pilgrimage and religious tourism. With a focus on toolkits and best practices, the book reinforces the quality of service provision and offers a reflection on consumers' perspectives and what drives their purchasing decisions with regards to a variety of destinations. These central themes are complemented by an understanding of management responses to consumer behaviour and mobility, accessibility, individualism and tourism for both sacred and secular purposes. The book also examines the ways in which networks, partnerships and the conceptual stakeholder approach can be employed by religious tourism suppliers working with destination management organisations. The text promotes sustainable development and a triple bottom line focus, with all chapters supporting policy for framing development. Key features include: - Global perspective on tools as well as management approaches and techniques. - Emphasis on sustainability in connecting sacred and secular consumers. - Focus on promoting learning and development within this important tourism sector.