One of the most developed types of tourism in the world is religious tourism. Every year, more than 300 million people travel for religious reasons. The tourism income generated as a result of these trips is more than 18 billion dollars.
Religious tourism (faith tourism or spiritual tourism) is travel undertaken for the purpose of fulfilling religious precepts, visiting religious monuments, or learning about the history of various religions.
Similarly, spiritual tourism encompasses travel for spiritual purposes. This can be religious tourism, but can sometimes have broader meanings.
According to the World Tourism Organization, although international tourism has declined due to the global crisis, this has not happened in religious pilgrimages. This is because people see such pilgrimages as a necessity rather than a leisure activity. According to the World Religious Tourism Association, religious tourism is one of the fastest growing types of tourism in the world. One in four people shows interest in religious centers during their travels.
Religious tourism in Azerbaijan is not only about visiting sacred monuments, but also about intercultural dialogue, understanding of historical values, and spiritual enrichment. Azerbaijan supports this area at the state level, carries out restoration and promotion work. The atmosphere of peace and tolerance, the harmonious coexistence of different religious communities make religious tourism attractive for both local and foreign tourists.