Spiritual and religious tourism has typically been associated with older people going on pilgrimages for faith, rituals, or relaxing trips during retirement. Recently, this trend has shifted. More young people are now taking part in spiritual journeys and pilgrimage trips. Millennials and Generation-Z travelers are exploring destinations like Varanasi, Rishikesh, Kedarnath, Tirupati, Bodh Gaya, and Amritsar.
They are drawn not only by spiritual reasons but also by personal growth, cultural experiences, and mental well-being. India’s spiritual tourism industry is large and growing quickly. Research shows that in 2022, over 1.43 billion domestic travelers visited religious sites in India, a sharp increase from the 677 million visits recorded in 2021.
Religious tourism now makes up about 60% of domestic travel in India, marking it as one of the country’s key tourism sectors. This rise comes with a shift in demographics. Recent studies and travel blogs indicate that young tourists aged 18 to 35 are increasingly seeking spiritual experiences, particularly in historic cities like Varanasi…….
