RELIGIOUS TOURISM AND RESILIENCE BUILDING: AN OVERVIEW OF IMPACTS AND RECOVERY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Intending to contribute to the sector’s resilience in times of external shocks, this study unpacks the experiences of the religious tourism sector during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. Through an exploratory qualitative approach with in-depth, interviews conducted with key role-players (n=50), the findings reveal significant financial losses suffered by the sector during the pandemic's peak, marked by widespread activity closures. Many organizations faced difficulties in maintaining their customary faith-based activities, travel, and commitments during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study identifies valuable lessons from these challenges, emphasizing the importance of fostering collaborations with other stakeholders and embracing technological innovations. By shedding light on these experiences, the study offers insights for enhancing resilience in religious tourism amidst uncertainty, with implications for strategic planning and long-term resilience efforts within the sector.