ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the most pertinent sociopolitical and economic impacts of pilgrimage and religious and spiritual tourism. In particular, it examines a variety of sociopolitical implications and outcomes, including social distance, contestation and dissonance, and the commercialization of the sacred. The chapter then considers mixed positive and negative economic perspectives on religious tourism as an economic driver, unique employment considerations, the scale of tourism and religious heritage as a place brand, the implications of gentrification, and the effects of seasonality and other modifiers of tourism demand. Heritage contestation or dissonance is often heightened and enhanced in the context of religion. The Hajj’s pinnacle position in Saudi Arabia’s tourism economy has emboldened the kingdom to focus its commercialization efforts on the holy cities of Mecca and Medina.
