Islamic Religious attributes and barriers to tourist's development
Author: Monika Telsinskaite
1 Commentries
Abstract
This paper focuses on interconnectedness of tourism and religion, and the barriers that individuals are presented with, whilst accommodating tourism or participating in a touristic activity in uncommon surroundings. Religion is known to influence individuals' perceptions and behaviour, accordingly this paper explores the interactions between tourism and Islamic religion as well as political interference, overviewing the difficulties of the relationship when the elements are interwoven, posing restrictions on the individual's development as a tourist.
Key Words
Religion, Islam, law, behaviour, barriers
The 21st century has seen the media focus on the tensions between the western hemisphere and Muslim countries. The west has seen culture modernise with promiscuity, same sex relationships and social etiquette amending to meet the new needs of the civilization. However those conservative religious countries have seen this growth as a disaster and many sub sectors have turned to extremism in the name of religious righteousness. This has caused tensions to rise alongside terrorism occurring in major cities such as the Madrid, London and New York bombings in the early 2000's. This has majorly affected tourism, by both parties feeling constriction whilst travelling abroad, away from their homelands. This conference report looks into the attributes both the Muslim religion and tourism play with each other.
Throughout the review of academic literature it is evident that there is a very "…big difference between the demands of western tourists and the Islamic teachings (Battour et al., 2011, pp. 528). Tourist's expectations, feelings and experiences of satisfaction are never uniform (Poria et al., 2006) and it is hard to find the balance between different faiths, especially when political affairs are governing the activity. Religious structures of Islamic teachings have significant complications for Muslims as travellers as well as residents of destinations (Henderson 2011).
It is taboos and obligations of practiced religions that have influences on the tourist visitation patterns. Religious duties oversee etiquettes, rules and regulations in regards: to conduct, food and beverages consumption, dress code, prayer, mannerism as well as personal, social and political relations (Zamani-Farahani and Henderosn 2010; Battour et al., 2011). Religious commitments may be seen as "excessive curbs on freedom" (Zamani-Farahani and Henderosn 2010, pp.81) constraining from utterly fulfilling touristic desires and developing own cultural capital. To some, faith becomes a forefront barrier when it comes to tourism development, especially when religion dictates the demeanour of political affairs.
Religion is known to influence individuals' perceptions and behaviour (Zamani-Farahani and Musa 2012) and in the context of tourism it has a great affect on the choices made by individual in terms of touristic products and destination preferences (Wendenfeld and Ron 2008). In the twentieth century religion had contributed to conflicts between Northern Ireland's Protestants and Catholics and provoked Israeli-Arabian clashes in the Middle East (Henderson 2011; Lennon and Tittereington 1996; Mansfeld 1994). Such political and religious disputes had led to impairment of tourism of the regions (Henderson 2011). In the twenty-first century clashes have arisen between Muslim countries and the West, indecent behaviors of tourist in the Middle East, which had disrespected the Islamic law and the terrorist attacks had further led to impediment of tourism. These clashes have been more profound than the ones in the twentieth century not only hindering the tourism industry, but also impacting on sociability of different beliefs causing political disputes.
Authors Collins and Tisdell (2002) explain that when it comes to Islamic practitioners and their tourism preference, religion is the key factor that influences the choice of travel destination. Authors clarify this by emphasising on the importance of accessibility to Islamic religious attributes in the destination. Henderson (2011) justifies this by stating "Islam involves codes of thought and conduct that pervade all aspects of life" (pp. 543). Followers of the religion must adhere to set instructions which derive from the holy book of the Quran (Henderson 2011). However, by no means is tourism discouraged in Islamic Law. Travel is not only encouraged, but it is also compulsory when it comes to participation in pilgrimage journeys. Tourism is encouraged as the Quran (Holy book) endorses travelling in its teachings, relating to tourism as a way of achieving social, spiritual and physical goals (Zamani-Farahani and Henderson 2010).
However, when governments play an essential role in tourism development, they do not only govern the industry through policies, but has control overall direction of tourism establishment. Din (1989) recognises Islamic governments role as "rejectionist or isolationist" when it comes to hosting for non-Muslim tourists (pp.557). Zamani-Farahani and Henderson (2010) believe that governments take precaution when it comes to establishing modern tourism activities purely because it poses challenges and changes upon the political dimensions. Political affairs create a hostile touristic environment for the both hosts and the guests, thus this leads to a question, whether it is the religion that creates the 'excessive curbs' or is it the political endeavors using religious taboos for their own benefits. The relationship between the Islamic governments and religion has been openly discussed, authors have been critical in their statements saying, "…religion has become highly politicised, including among traditionally moderate regimes" (Zamani-Farahani and Henderson 2010, pp. 81).
It seems that it is those political affairs that restrain individuals from participating in touristic encounters, whilst religion purely guides rather than restricts.
Din, K . (1989). Islam and Tourism: Patterns, Issues and Options. Annals of Tourism Research. 16, pp.542-563.
Weidenfeld, A, Ron, A. (2008). Religious Needs in the Tourism industry. An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research. 19 (2), pp. 357-361.
Zamani-Farahani, H., Henderson, J. (2010). Islamic Tourism and Managing Tourism Development in Islamic Societies: The Cases of Iran and Saudi Arabia. International Journal Of Tourism Research. 12, pp. 79-89.
This paper focuses on interconnectedness of tourism and religion, and the barriers that individuals are presented with, whilst accommodating tourism or participating in a touristic activity in uncommon surroundings. Religion is known to influence individuals' perceptions and behaviour, accordingly this paper explores the interactions between tourism and Islamic religion as well as political interference, overviewing the difficulties of the relationship when the elements are interwoven, posing restrictions on the individual's development as a tourist.
Key Words
Religion, Islam, law, behaviour, barriers
The 21st century has seen the media focus on the tensions between the western hemisphere and Muslim countries. The west has seen culture modernise with promiscuity, same sex relationships and social etiquette amending to meet the new needs of the civilization. However those conservative religious countries have seen this growth as a disaster and many sub sectors have turned to extremism in the name of religious righteousness. This has caused tensions to rise alongside terrorism occurring in major cities such as the Madrid, London and New York bombings in the early 2000's. This has majorly affected tourism, by both parties feeling constriction whilst travelling abroad, away from their homelands. This conference report looks into the attributes both the Muslim religion and tourism play with each other.
Throughout the review of academic literature it is evident that there is a very "…big difference between the demands of western tourists and the Islamic teachings (Battour et al., 2011, pp. 528). Tourist's expectations, feelings and experiences of satisfaction are never uniform (Poria et al., 2006) and it is hard to find the balance between different faiths, especially when political affairs are governing the activity. Religious structures of Islamic teachings have significant complications for Muslims as travellers as well as residents of destinations (Henderson 2011).
It is taboos and obligations of practiced religions that have influences on the tourist visitation patterns. Religious duties oversee etiquettes, rules and regulations in regards: to conduct, food and beverages consumption, dress code, prayer, mannerism as well as personal, social and political relations (Zamani-Farahani and Henderosn 2010; Battour et al., 2011). Religious commitments may be seen as "excessive curbs on freedom" (Zamani-Farahani and Henderosn 2010, pp.81) constraining from utterly fulfilling touristic desires and developing own cultural capital. To some, faith becomes a forefront barrier when it comes to tourism development, especially when religion dictates the demeanour of political affairs.
Religion is known to influence individuals' perceptions and behaviour (Zamani-Farahani and Musa 2012) and in the context of tourism it has a great affect on the choices made by individual in terms of touristic products and destination preferences (Wendenfeld and Ron 2008). In the twentieth century religion had contributed to conflicts between Northern Ireland's Protestants and Catholics and provoked Israeli-Arabian clashes in the Middle East (Henderson 2011; Lennon and Tittereington 1996; Mansfeld 1994). Such political and religious disputes had led to impairment of tourism of the regions (Henderson 2011). In the twenty-first century clashes have arisen between Muslim countries and the West, indecent behaviors of tourist in the Middle East, which had disrespected the Islamic law and the terrorist attacks had further led to impediment of tourism. These clashes have been more profound than the ones in the twentieth century not only hindering the tourism industry, but also impacting on sociability of different beliefs causing political disputes.
Authors Collins and Tisdell (2002) explain that when it comes to Islamic practitioners and their tourism preference, religion is the key factor that influences the choice of travel destination. Authors clarify this by emphasising on the importance of accessibility to Islamic religious attributes in the destination. Henderson (2011) justifies this by stating "Islam involves codes of thought and conduct that pervade all aspects of life" (pp. 543). Followers of the religion must adhere to set instructions which derive from the holy book of the Quran (Henderson 2011). However, by no means is tourism discouraged in Islamic Law. Travel is not only encouraged, but it is also compulsory when it comes to participation in pilgrimage journeys. Tourism is encouraged as the Quran (Holy book) endorses travelling in its teachings, relating to tourism as a way of achieving social, spiritual and physical goals (Zamani-Farahani and Henderson 2010).
However, when governments play an essential role in tourism development, they do not only govern the industry through policies, but has control overall direction of tourism establishment. Din (1989) recognises Islamic governments role as "rejectionist or isolationist" when it comes to hosting for non-Muslim tourists (pp.557). Zamani-Farahani and Henderson (2010) believe that governments take precaution when it comes to establishing modern tourism activities purely because it poses challenges and changes upon the political dimensions. Political affairs create a hostile touristic environment for the both hosts and the guests, thus this leads to a question, whether it is the religion that creates the 'excessive curbs' or is it the political endeavors using religious taboos for their own benefits. The relationship between the Islamic governments and religion has been openly discussed, authors have been critical in their statements saying, "…religion has become highly politicised, including among traditionally moderate regimes" (Zamani-Farahani and Henderson 2010, pp. 81).
It seems that it is those political affairs that restrain individuals from participating in touristic encounters, whilst religion purely guides rather than restricts.
Din, K . (1989). Islam and Tourism: Patterns, Issues and Options. Annals of Tourism Research. 16, pp.542-563.
Weidenfeld, A, Ron, A. (2008). Religious Needs in the Tourism industry. An International Journal of Tourism and Hospitality Research. 19 (2), pp. 357-361.
Zamani-Farahani, H., Henderson, J. (2010). Islamic Tourism and Managing Tourism Development in Islamic Societies: The Cases of Iran and Saudi Arabia. International Journal Of Tourism Research. 12, pp. 79-89.