Religious Tourism Market Report 2026

The religious tourism market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $190.53 billion in 2025 to $207.13 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of domestic pilgrimage travel, growth of international religious destinations, increasing religious festival attendance, improvements in transportation infrastructure, rising group-based religious travel.

The religious tourism market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $286.13 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of online religious travel platforms, rising investments in pilgrimage infrastructure, growing focus on crowd management solutions, expansion of cross-border faith tourism, increasing integration of digital services in religious travel. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing digital booking of pilgrimages, rising demand for organized religious tours, expansion of faith-based cultural experiences, growing integration of technology in pilgrim management, increased focus on sustainable religious tourism.

The growing interest in spirituality and wellbeing is expected to drive the growth of the religious tourism market in the coming years. Spirituality and wellbeing involve the holistic integration of physical, mental, and emotional health, along with a sense of purpose, connection, and inner peace. This rising popularity is fueled by increased awareness of mental health and the demand for stress reduction in fast-paced modern lifestyles. The religious tourism market supports this trend by offering pilgrimages, retreats, and wellness-focused travel experiences that cater to individuals seeking mental, emotional, and spiritual rejuvenation. For example, in December 2023, according to The Pew Research Center, a US-based think tank, around 70% of U.S. adults identified as spiritual, with 83% believing in a soul or spirit, 81% acknowledging a spiritual reality beyond the natural world, and 74% recognizing experiences that science cannot fully explain. Therefore, the increasing interest in spirituality and wellbeing is driving growth in the religious tourism market.

Companies in the religious tourism market are developing innovative solutions, such as spiritual tourism platforms, to offer comprehensive travel planning, booking services, and personalized spiritual experiences tailored to religious travelers. Spiritual tourism platforms are specialized services that facilitate journeys focused on spiritual growth, wellness, and connection to sacred or serene environments. For instance, in October 2023, EaseMyTrip, an India-based travel company, launched EasyDarshan, a dedicated platform for spiritual tourism in India. The platform offers curated pilgrimage packages to temples, gurudwaras, churches, and mosques, simplifying logistics with inclusive transportation, accommodation, guided tours, and special pujas. Covering diverse destinations - from tranquil southern temples to serene Himalayan shrines - the platform prioritizes safety and sanitation, ensuring convenient and secure spiritual journeys for all travelers.

In September 2024, Yatra, an India-based travel services company, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Globe All India Services (Globe Travels) for $15.25 million. This acquisition strengthens Yatra’s leadership in the Indian corporate travel market and enhances its growth potential by expanding geographic reach and service capabilities. Amid increasing competition in the online travel sector, this strategic move positions Yatra to capitalize on emerging opportunities in corporate travel. Globe Travels is an India-based company specializing in corporate travel services with a strong presence in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.

Major companies operating in the religious tourism market are Thomas Cook India, Kesari Tours Pvt Ltd., Holy Voyages Pvt Ltd., Holy Land Tours, Gil Travel Group, Globus Journeys, 206 Tours, Nativity Pilgrimage, Regina Tours, Marian Pilgrimages, Dynamic Catholic Pilgrimages, Radiant Tours, Royal Vacations, Pilgrimage Tours, Aladdin Tours and Travel, Abraham Tours, Shiv Shankar Tirth Yatra, Akbar Holidays, AlHaramain Tours, Al Madina Tour Services.

Middle East was the largest region in the religious tourism market in 2025. Europe is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the religious tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the religious tourism market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The religious tourism market includes revenues earned by entities by providing pilgrimage trips and tours, accommodations, and yoga classes. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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