Exploring the Distinction between Pilgrims and Tourists at Religious Heritage Sites

Traveling to religious heritage sites is a complex phenomenon attracting religious and non-religious visitors. This study aims to provide an analytical framework that bridges convergence and divergence theories to differentiate between religious and non-religious visitors by analyzing motivations, experiences, behaviors, and interlinkages. A comprehensive literature review of databases from 2001 to 2022 discussed the distinction between pilgrims and tourists to religious heritage sites was conducted. The findings indicated that the convergence hypothesis points to significant similarities between pilgrims and tourists due to convergence in motivations. Behaviors at religious sites also demonstrate the similarity between pilgrims and secular visitors, and traveling experiences can blend aspects of pilgrimage and tourism for both pilgrims and tourists. However, divergence theories emphasize substantial differences in motivations, experiences, and behaviors between religiously motivated pilgrims and secular visitors. Pilgrims are driven by devotion and spiritual experiences, while secular tourists prioritize entertainment and culture. The study concludes that religious travel encompasses multiple dimensions. Thus, classifying religious visitors and secular tourists is a complex task due to the interplay of personal levels of devotion, spiritual practice, and interpretive system qualities across various sites. This interaction leads to intertwining and evolving motivations, behaviors, and experiences throughout the journey.