In recent years, discussion on tourism has focused mainly on global problems relating to the over-exploitation of space, leaving other aspects of the development of tourist activities almost completely ignored. The book will focus not only on the widely understood tourist exploitation processes, their geographical diversity and density, but also on their significance and influence (economic, socio-cultural, tourist etc.) on regional development and sustainability. It will also cover the debate on promotion of innovative, sustainable and responsible tourism strategies, plans and funds, and the movement towards responsible and sustainable cultural tourism through the crisis in marginal areas. It will also highlight the dramatic changes to the global tourism industry brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic in recent months.

For millennia people have travelled to religious sites for worship, initiatory and leisure purposes. Today there are hundreds, if not thousands, of religious pilgrimage routes and trails around the world that are used by pilgrims as well as tourists. Indeed, many religious pilgrimage routes and trails are today used as themes by tourism marketers in an effort to promote regional economic development. Providing a holistic approach to religious pilgrimage routes and trails, this book: - Addresses important conceptual themes such as sustainable local development, regional economic development, heritage identity and management, and promoting environmentally friendly practices; - Includes global case studies to help transfer theory into good practice; - Calls for further discussion of the importance of better planning, management, and maintenance of these routes and trails, so that the positive benefits of this type of tourism development can be fully realized. An important resource for those interested in religious tourism and pilgrimage, this book is also an invaluable collection for academics and policy-makers within heritage tourism and regional development.