Rural Economic Development through Religious Tourism. A View of Tourism Micro-enterprises

Description

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23496830

Ramukumba, Takalani¹, Setokoe Tshepiso Jonathan², and Crowther, Dalene³ (Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Faculty of Management and Public Management Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Butterworth, South Africa¹, Department of Hospitality Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Central University of Technology
Bloemfontein, South Africa², and Department of Hospitality Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, Central University of Technology
Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa³)

In the world of tourism, religious tourism is one of the oldest and most durable forms of tourism that is blended with spiritual practice and economic potential. The study examines the views of the tourism micro enterprises with regard to the role of religious tourism in promoting economic development in Moria, Polokwane, home to one of the largest religious pilgrimage sites in Africa, the Zion Christian Church (ZCC). The research is conducted under the direction of the Circular Economic Theory, as it aims to examine how religious tourism has created economic activity through the circulation of resources and utilization of local resources. The qualitative exploratory approach was used; the data gathered involved 13 tourism microenterprises that were registered with the Polokwane Local Municipality. The sample included businesses from different tourism subsectors such as accommodation, transport and tour operations. The data analysis was themed and four dominant themes emerged: income generation and multiplier effects, job creation, local economic development and business opportunities. The study reveals that the arrival of pilgrims in Moria has a positive impact on the income generation of both formal and informal businesses in the area and boosts a wide spectrum of economic activities such as accommodation, food services and local transportation services. Religious tourism is also a key source of jobs and it has become a helping factor for the empowerment of religious communities by creating job opportunities and entrepreneurship. The study also admits that the mass pilgrimage can have the potential for problems of over-commercialisation and pressure on infrastructure. Overall, the study concludes that religious tourism catalyzes sustainable rural economic development in Moria, demonstrating how faith-based travel can transform local economies when managed within a circular economic framework that emphasises resource optimisation, inclusivity, and long-term socio-economic resilience.