The globalization of pilgrimage tourism? Some thoughts from Ireland.

This chapter initially considers the problematic nature of religious and pilgrimage travel as part of the tourism industry, and within an Irish context presents patterns and typologies of pilgrimage, focusing on the pilgrim who travels for religious and spiritual reasons. The chapter cites the work of the ATLAS Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Special Interest Group to support insights into the motivation of religious pilgrims in Ireland. The chapter is underpinned by contrasts in the societal trends of increasing secularization and decreasing domestic religious travel and wider international consumption trends of globalization and internationalization