Hoteliers bet on religious tourism to boost earnings

The Spiritual leader of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi Sansthan, a world-wide centre for spiritual, cultural and social welfare, His Divine Holiness Acharya Swamishree Maharaj Purushottampriyadasji (centre is welcomed by some of his devotees when he arrived in Mombasa last week, December 22, 2016. The Spiritual leader held several prayers for the last five days where with some coming from he East African region. [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD]. .

Statistics indicate that religious tourism or travel is estimated at a value of $18 billion, with 300 million travellers visiting religious sites.

It is for this reason that tourism players are keen on having the ministry’s recovery strategy encompass religious tourism. The Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC ) says both religious and medical tourism are emerging sectors that can be exploited.