RELIGIOUS TOURISM: AN USD$18 BILLION INDUSTRY?

In a seemingly faithless climate, where secular media has questioned and swayed the very core of religion, comes a uniquely growing trend that could be beneficial to Africa’s collective economy. Whether you are seeking spiritual enlightenment or a contingency to discover the religious and often lesser known sites, faith-based tourism is growing in numbers. The journey to finding oneself, sharing one’s belief or receiving providence is not as affordable as should be the case.

Many a traveller have saved for months and even years to embrace the spirit behind one’s faith. Mission-based, humanitarian trips such as World Race have contributed to hundreds of travellers each year touring to countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Kenya. For 11 months, groups of young and impressionable travellers move from country to country, feeding the homeless, building shelters and sharing their beliefs. Per person, this 11 month crusade to inner peace costs a staggering USD$19,200 which is fundraised socially.

And you would imagine these passionate travellers are older, set in their careers and looking to mix a restful vacation with a faith bolstering experience. You’d imagine wrong. There has been a shift in the type of traveller into Africa, not only are they much younger, but they are drawn to self awareness through spiritual guidance. Indeed