Faith forward, Sacred Horizons: Charting the Future of Christian Tourism through Apostle Paul’s Journey

Abstract

Christian spiritual tourism is one of the rapidly growing segments of global religious travel, where faith, heritage and commerce often intertwine. This research examines how Christian pilgrimage has transformed over time, with focus on Paul’s missionary journey. Once a pure act of devotion has slowly shifted into an organised and even commercialised enterprise. The research primarily examines the role of heritage industries, local economies, and tourism networks surrounding biblical sites in Turkey, Greece, Malta, Italy, and Cyprus. Methodologically, Paul’s journey serves as both a historical and spiritual map to trace this shift. An archival study of biblical and historical texts grounds the study in the original significance of Paul in these sites, while interviews with pilgrims, tour operators, and local people, along with observations and some economic analysis, reveal the present-day reality. Case studies also bring out the tension between spiritual growth, cultural truth and market needs. Looking forward, the research interprets these patterns to identify emerging opportunities in Christian tourism, such as sustainable pilgrimage paths, digital faith experiences, and intercultural exchange through heritage travel. With reference to Paul’s routes across past devotion, present commerce, and future possibilities, the study underscores both the challenges and hope in charting a balance between faith, authenticity and economy.