Pilgrim Experience and Revisit Intention Post COVID-19: An Exploratory Study of Amarnath Holy Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, India

The present preliminary study seeks to explore the pilgrim tourist experience and their revisit intentions post-COVID pandemic. Data were collected at the Amarnath Holy Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, India, using a combination of primary and secondary sources, including seven in-depth semi-structured...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The international journal of religious tourism and pilgrimage
Authors: Ramjit Singh (Author) ; Nazki, Adil (Author) ; Mir, Mudasir (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Dublin Institute of Technology 2022
In: The international journal of religious tourism and pilgrimage
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Jammu and Kashmir / Amarnath / COVID-19 (Disease) / Pandemic / Pilgrimage / Pilgrim / Experience
RelBib Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AG Religious life; material religion
BK Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism
KBM Asia
Further subjects:B Amarnath Cave-Shrine
B Covid-19
B intention to revisit
B Religious Tourism
B J&K
B India
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Description
Summary:The present preliminary study seeks to explore the pilgrim tourist experience and their revisit intentions post-COVID pandemic. Data were collected at the Amarnath Holy Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, India, using a combination of primary and secondary sources, including seven in-depth semi-structured telephone interviews with pilgrims using the snowball sampling technique. Five main themes were found regarding revisiting intentions, including ease of registration, safety and security, health facilities, accommodation facilities, food and beverage services, and connectivity of the destinations. The study highlights that despite COVID-19, most respondents agree to return to visit the holy Amarnath Cave as they felt that they would not be affected by COVID-19 in the future. This research has implications for tourists’ safety and security concerns at religious sites, including highlighting the need for proper infrastructure development to enhance the sustainability of religious destinations. Regarding social impacts, the local administration must make efforts to carry out the pilgrimage in a sustainable way post-COVID-19, following new procedures to ensure the safety and health of the tourist and the local community. The Shrine board and Local administration must formally implement these standards via formal Standards of Procedure (SOP).
ISSN:2009-7379
Contains:Enthalten in: The international journal of religious tourism and pilgrimage
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.21427/8n4p-0y16