Impact of Religion on Modern Hospitality and Tourism in India

Abstract

Purpose: The study sought to analyze the impact of religion on modern hospitality and tourism in India

Methodology: The study adopted a desktop methodology. Desk research refers to secondary data or that which can be collected without fieldwork. Desk research is basically involved in collecting data from existing resources hence it is often considered a low cost technique as compared to field research, as the main cost is involved in executive's time, telephone charges and directories. Thus, the study relied on already published studies, reports and statistics. This secondary data was easily accessed through the online journals and library.

Findings: The results show that showed that the current competitive environment, the tourism and hospitality industries are constantly searching for new customer segments and for ways of improving competitiveness. Thus, the provision of religious aspects in the hospitality product could prove a valuable and integral part of the customer's orientation.

Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Institutional theory and the rational choice theory may be used to anchor future studies in the tourism sector. The study results will also benefit other stakeholders such as the policy makers as well as researchers and scholars from different parts of the world. The top management of religious organizations in the country will also use the study findings to improve tourism performance in all their activities and programs. The study recommends that the adoption of effective social protection development policies in the tourism industry will help to improve efficiency in their major operations and activities.