The Meta-synthesis of Factors Affecting the Development of Religious Tourism

Considering the importance of religious tourism as one of the fastest-growing types of tourism in the world and its capacity to be used as a suitable instrument for the development of destinations enjoying religious tourism and due to the importance and necessity of identifying the factors affecting the development of this type of tourism, this study was conducted to identify the factors affecting the development of religious tourism. The results of data analysis, collected by the meta-synthesis method in this qualitative study, show that the factors affecting the development of religious tourism can be divided into two main dimensions: leading factors (with five components of economic, political/governance (managerial), sociocultural, the prerequisites/necessary infrastructures, and the driving factors of the tourist) and deterrent factors (with five components of economic, sociocultural, political /governance (managerial), environmental, and failure to meet the prerequisites and necessary infrastructures). The findings can be useful guidelines for managers and policymakers of the religious tourism industry in the state and for other researchers.