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Motivational Landscape and Evolving Identity of a Route-Based Religious Tourism Space: A Case of Camino de Santiago

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  • Hany Kim

    (Department of Tourism and Convention, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea)

  • Semih Yilmaz

    (Department of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA 94542, USA)

  • Soyoun Ahn

    (Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, Sejong University, Seoul 05006, Korea)

Abstract

Religious destinations today are visited by a large number of tourists, whose travel motives may vary from purely religious to purely secular. Diverse motives and on-site experiences are, in turn, causing a shift in the identity perception of these destinations. However, research is still limited regarding the dynamic relationship between travelers’ motivation and the perceived identity of a religious space. Using a theoretical–thematic analysis, this study analyzes the online written accounts of visitors to Camino de Santiago (a route-based pilgrimage site) to understand (i) the motivational and experiential differences among religious versus non-religious travelers, and (ii) the perceived identity of Camino with respect to Smith’s “pilgrimage–tourism continuum”. Despite the increase in secular motives, the majority of travelers showed some form of spiritual connection with Camino. Concurrent with the contemporary shifts in the idea of “religion”, Camino continues to be a religious place driven by inner goals, albeit in a more personal, interpretive, and “spiritual” way.

Suggested Citation

  • Hany Kim & Semih Yilmaz & Soyoun Ahn, 2019. "Motivational Landscape and Evolving Identity of a Route-Based Religious Tourism Space: A Case of Camino de Santiago," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:13:p:3547-:d:243545
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lucrezia Lopez & Enrico Nicosia & Rubén Camilo Lois González, 2018. "Sustainable Tourism: A Hidden Theory of the Cinematic Image? A Theoretical and Visual Analysis of the Way of St. James," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Amaro, Suzanne & Antunes, Angela & Henriques, Carla, 2018. "A closer look at Santiago de Compostela's pilgrims through the lens of motivations," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 271-280.
    3. Nilsson, Mats & Tesfahuney, Mekonnen, 2016. "Performing the “post-secular” in Santiago de Compostela," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 18-30.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lucrezia Lopez, 2020. "Filmic Gendered Discourses in Rural Contexts: The Case of the Camino de Santiago (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Maria Tătărușanu & Gina Ionela Butnaru & Valentin Niță & Angelica-Nicoleta Neculăesei & Elena Ciortescu, 2021. "The Influence of Interpretation through Guiding Tour, Quality of Reception and Relics’ Worship on the Satisfaction of Pilgrims Attending the Iasi Feast," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.

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