INVESTIGATING THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM: GREECE IN THE EUROPEAN CONTEXT

Autores/as

  • Maria Lagou Department of Accounting and Finance, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
  • Chara Kottara Delegated Assistant Professor Department of Business Administration, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejefr.v10i6.2305

Palabras clave:

religious tourism, Greece, Europe, economic impact, systematic literature review (SLR)

Resumo

Religious tourism is one of the oldest forms of human mobility and is closely associated with cultural heritage, sustainable local development, the diversification of the tourism product, and the search for authentic experiences. Over recent decades, tourist interest in visiting religious sites around the world has increased markedly. The primary aim of this research is to investigate the economic impact of religious tourism by comparing Greece with the broader European context. The research adopts a rigorous systematic literature review approach and follows a structured review protocol. The findings indicate that while Greece possesses exceptional religious and cultural resources, important gaps remain in measuring visitor expenditure, employment, and multiplier effects. The research therefore proposes an integrated model linking sacred resources, accessibility, visitor experience, destination image, the local value chain, governance, and sustainability to direct, indirect, and induced economic effects. Taken together, these dimensions provide a basis for more coherent policy design in religious tourism, making them highly relevant to both public and private stakeholders involved in the development and management of this tourism sector.

 

JEL: F30, R11

Biografías do autor/a

  • Maria Lagou, Department of Accounting and Finance, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Dr. Lagou Maria is a graduate of the Department of Economic and Regional Development at Panteion University and holds an MBA specializing in Accounting and Auditing from the University of the Aegean. She earned her PhD from the Department of Accounting and Finance at the University of West Attica, where her research focused on employee motivation and leadership within the tourism sector. She possesses over a decade of extensive professional experience. Her primary research interests include employee motivation, leadership, regional economic development, and tourism managemen.

  • Chara Kottara, Delegated Assistant Professor Department of Business Administration, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece

    Dr. Chara Kottara is Economist – Accountant A’ Class. She is a Delegated Assistant Professor, Dpt. of Business Administration, University of West Attica, Greece. She holds a PhD in Social Sciences with a specialization in Economics, Management and Accounting. She has a Pedagogical qualification and specialization in Special Education. She holds certification from the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Professional Guidance. Her main research interests include Accounting and Finance, Technology, University Pedagogy, E-learning, Blended Learning, Sustainable Development, Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She is the author and co-author of 13 books and more than 60 scientific publications.

Citas

Adirestuty, F., Ratnasart, R. T., Wardhana, A. K., Miraj, D. A., & Battour, M. (2025). Gastronomy of religious tourism: Overview and future research agenda. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 58(1), 188-199. https://gtg.webhost.uoradea.ro/PDF/GTG-1-2025/gtg.58116-1401.pdf

Asonitou, S., & Kottara, C. (2019). Sustainable development of skills for the tourism sector and its financial impact. In A. Kavoura, E. Kefallonitis, & A. Giovanis (Eds.), Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (pp. 1121–1129). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-12453-3_129

Bank of Greece. (2025). Developments in the balance of travel services: 2024. Bank of Greece.

Belucio, M., & Fuinhas, J. A. (2023). How does the economy affect a religious phenomenon? A panel approach to international pilgrimages to the Shrine of Fátima. European Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Recreation, 13(2), 109–122. https://doi.org/10.2478/ejthr-2023-0010

Collins-Kreiner, N. (2010). Researching pilgrimage: Continuity and transformations. Annals of Tourism Research, 37(2), 440–456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2009.10.016

Collins-Kreiner, N. (2020). Pilgrimage tourism—Past, present and future rejuvenation: A perspective article. Tourism Review, 75(1), 145–148. https://doi.org/10.1108/TR-04-2019-0130

Della Dora, V. (2012). Setting and blurring boundaries: Pilgrims, tourists, and landscape in Mount Athos and Meteora. Annals of Tourism Research, 39(2), 951–974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2011.11.013

Eurostat. (2025). Tourism statistics and record tourism nights in the European Union. European Commission.

Fafouti, A. E., Vythoulka, A., Delegou, E. T., Farmakidis, N., Ioannou, M., Perellis, K., Giannikouris, A., Kampanis, N. A., Alexandrakis, G., & Moropoulou, A. (2023). Designing cultural routes as a tool of responsible tourism and sustainable local development in isolated and less developed islands: The case of Symi Island in Greece. Land, 12(8), 1590. https://doi.org/10.3390/land12081590

Figini, P., & Patuelli, R. (2022). Estimating the economic impact of tourism in the European Union: Review and computation. Journal of Travel Research, 61(6), 1409-1423. https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875211028322

Gaki, E., Arsenos, P., Balomenou, C., Poulaki, P., & Lagou, M. (2022). The impact of financial crisis on tourism disparities: The case of Greek regions. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, 20(2), 47–70. Retrieved from https://johat.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/3.pdf

Graave, E. J. E., Klijs, J., & Heijman, W. (2018). The economic impact of pilgrimage: An economic impact analysis of pilgrimage expenditures in Galicia. International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, 5(3), Article 7. https://doi.org/10.21427/D7DD83

Guriţă, D., & Scortescu, F. I. (2023). Religious tourism and sustainable development of the economy in the context of globalization in the northeast area of Romania. Sustainability, 15(16). https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612128

INSETE. (2025). Tourism and Greek economy 2023–2024. Institute of the Greek Tourism Confederation. Retrieved from https://insete.gr/studies/the-contribution-of-tourism-to-the-greek-economy-2024-2025/?lang=en

Kotsi, F. (2012). Mount Athos: Development policies for short-term religious tourism. International Journal of Tourism Anthropology, 2(2), 149–163. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJTA.2012.048993

Kottara, C., Asonitou, S., Mukokoma, M. M. N., Gonidakis, F., & Kavalieraki-Foka, D. (2023). Enhancement of Social and Teamwork Skills Through Blended Learning Methodology in Accounting Studies. In The International Conference on Strategic Innovative Marketing & Tourism (pp. 967-976). https://doi.org.10.1007/978-3-031-51038-0_104

Kottara, C., Asonitou, S., Mukokoma, M. M. N., Gonidakis, F., & Kavalieraki-Foka, D. (2024). Enhancement of social and teamwork skills through blended learning methodology in accounting studies. In A. Kavoura, T. Borges-Tiago, & F. Tiago (Eds.), Strategic Innovative Marketing and Tourism (pp. 967–976). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-51038-0_104

Kottara, C., & Asonitou, S. (2024). Artificial intelligence and the new norm in Financial and Managerial Accounting and Auditing. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, Volume 13, Issue 2, pp: 3200–3212. https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2024.13.2.2551

Kottara, C., Asonitou, S., Kavalieraki-Foka, D., Gkigas, G., & Giannopoulos, G. (2025). Revolutionizing Financial Accounting: Student Engagement in a Blended Learning Approach. WSEAS Transactions on Environment and Development. https://doi.org10.37394/23207.2025.22.206

Kottara, C., Charamis, D., & Gonidakis, K. F. (2025a). The Contribution of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to Reducing Tax Evasion. Journal of Accounting, Business and Finance Research 20(2). https://doi.org/10.55217/102.v20i2.967

Kottara, C., Charamis, D., & Gonidakis, F. K (2025b). Investigating Tax Evasion: Insights from Greece and the International Context. 24th Annual Conference of the Hellenic Association of Financial & Accounting Scientists (H.F.A.A.)

Kottara, C., Kavalieraki-Foka, D., & Asonitou, S. (2026). Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Redefinition of the Accounting Profession. https://doi.org/10.55217/102.v22i1.1054

Niezgoda, A., Markiewicz, E., & Kędzia, M. (2025). The Role of Religious Tourism in the Regional Development of Tourist Destinations. European Research Studies Journal, 28(3), 1914-1931. Retrieved from https://ersj.eu/journal/4285

Mileva, S., & Krachanova, M. (2024). In search of new dimensions for religious tourism: The case of the ancient city of Nessebar. Heritage 7(10), 5373–5389. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7100253

Mróz, F. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on pilgrimages and religious tourism in Europe during the first six months of the pandemic. Journal of Religion and Health, 60, 625–645. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01201-0

Nolan, M. L., & Nolan, S. (1992). Religious sites as tourism attractions in Europe. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(92)90107-Z

Pachou, A. M., Lagou, M., & Gousiou, A. (2025). The tourism image of the island destinations of Greece. Journal of Tourism & Development, 48, 117–147. https://doi.org/10.34624/rtd.v48i0.34552

Paganopoulos, M. (2021). Contested authenticity: Anthropological perspectives of pilgrimage tourism in Mount Athos. Religions, 12(4), 229. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12040229

Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., Bossuyt, P. M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T. C., Mulrow, C. D., et al. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: An updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71

Pedrosa, A., Martins, F., & Breda, Z. (2025). The critical success factors for tourism routes development: A systematic review. European Journal of Tourism Research, 39, 3903-3903. https://doi.org/10.54055/ejtr.v39i.3439

Poulaki, P. (2023). Pilgrimage and religious tourism—Case research: North Aegean of Greece. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism, 21(1), 31–49. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/393330239_Pilgrimage_and_Religious_Tourism_-_Case_study_North_Aegean_of_Greece

Poulaki, P., Lagou, M., & Valeri, M. (2021). The role of female entrepreneurship to the development of agritourism in Greece. In M. Valeri & V. Katsoni (Eds.), Gender and Tourism: Challenges and Entrepreneurial Opportunities (pp. 219–234). Emerald Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80117-322-320211013

Richards, G., Adie, B. A., Gaeribaldi, R., Ivanov, S., Ivanova, M., James, L., ... & Zocchi, D. M. (2025). Cultural and creative tourism in rural and remote areas: European perspectives. Tourism: An International Interdisciplinary Journal, 73(4), 771-798. https://doi.org/10.37741/t.73.4.12

Rinschede, G. (1992). Forms of religious tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(1), 51–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(92)90106-Y

Smith, V. L. (1992). Introduction: The quest in guest. Annals of Tourism Research, 19(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(92)90103-V

Sołjan, I., & Liro, J. (2021). Religious tourism’s impact on city space: Service zones around sanctuaries. Religions, 12(3), 165. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel12030165

Terzidou, M., Stylidis, D., & Szivas, E. M. (2008). Residents’ perceptions of religious tourism and its socio-economic impacts on the island of Tinos. Tourism and Hospitality Planning & Development, 5(2), 113–129. https://doi.org/10.1080/14790530802252784

Tsironis, C. N. (2022). Pilgrimage and religious tourism in society, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic: A paradigm shift? Religions, 13(10), 887. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13100887

Tsorvas, P. F., Lagou, M., & Gousiou, A. (2025). Determinants of the development of religious tourism in Greece. In M. Valeri (Ed.), Contemporary Religious Tourism: Multidisciplinary Insights, Environmental Engagement, and Community Impact (pp. 219–236). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-79074-4_14

Wang, K.-Y. (2022). Sustainable tourism development based upon visitors’ brand trust: A case of “100 religious attractions.” Sustainability, 14(4), 1977. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14041977

World Travel & Tourism Council. (2025). Greece travel & tourism economic impact research. WTTC Research Hub. https://researchhub.wttc.org/product/greece-economic-impact-report

Descargas

Publicada

2026-09-02

Número

Vol. 10 Núm. 6 (2026)

Sección

Articles