Religious Tourism: Between Spiritual Experience and Heritage Valorisation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.065Keywords:
Colombia, religious tourism, spiritual experience, cultural heritage, sanctuariesAbstract
In Colombia, religious tourism not only mobilises thousands of people each year but also reveals how the sacred and heritage dimensions coexist in the country's most emblematic sanctuaries. This qualitative study analyses three of these sites — Las Lajas, Buga, and Monserrate — using participant observation and semi-structured interviews. Findings indicate that 80% of visitors engage in devotional practices and 75% value the architectural and symbolic attributes of these places. The convergence of faith and tourism generates tensions: whilst some celebrate the cultural and economic visibility, others raise concerns about the risks of commodification. Local communities emerge as key actors in heritage management, demanding greater inclusion in territorial decision-making. The study argues that well-managed religious tourism can serve as a powerful instrument for strengthening cultural identity and ensuring the sustainability of spiritual heritage. The intentional selection of these three sanctuaries allows for a comparison of different configurations of religious tourism across contrasting socio-cultural contexts, thereby enriching the analytical scope of the study.
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