Religious Tourism and Pilgrimages in Russia: Issues and Prospects

Religious tourism and pilgrimages are not only a spiritual journey, but also an effective tool for developing domestic tourism in Russia. The country’s numerous holy places, monasteries, temples, and cultural and historical sites are of interest to a wide range of people around the world, not just religious pilgrims. However, the development of such tourism requires a systematic approach that takes into account the specific features of the audience and can solve organizational, infrastructural, and marketing problems. Which regions of Russia have the greatest potential to develop religious tourism? How can we attract tourists to holy places en masse? What is the best way to maintain a balance between mass tourism and respect for holy places?