Religious Tourism and Artificial Intelligence in Economic Development: Opportunities and Challenges
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31305/trjtm2026.v06.n02.007Keywords:
Religious Tourism, Artificial Intelligence, Economic Development, Crowd Management, Smart MobilityAbstract
Religious tourism remains a vital and comparatively stable contributor to global economic development, fostering employment, infrastructure investment, and cultural preservation. This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI) transforms religious tourism by enhancing operational efficiency and personalizing the pilgrim experiences. AI applications in this sector focus on managing large crowds and mobility during mega-pilgrimage events, such as the Hajj and Umrah in Saudi Arabia, and providing faith-sensitive recommender systems and conversational agents. Case studies from Saudi Arabia and Ayodhya, India, demonstrate AI’s role in enabling safe visitor capacity expansion and driving rapid economic growth through infrastructure and service development. Broader econometric evidence links AI adoption to tourism sector growth and sustainability. However, challenges remain regarding cultural authenticity, data privacy, equitable access, and adaption of AI solutions to the contexts of developing countries. Addressing these issues through inclusive design and governance is essential for realizing AI’s full potential of AI in religious tourism. Future research should focus on isolating the economic impact of specific AI interventions at diverse pilgrimage destinations.
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