Malta and faith-based tourism : stocktaking and future perspectives

Abstract

Over time, numerous pilgrimage sites have come about, some for a short period, others for near-eternity – such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem (Israel), Mecca, Medina (Saudi Arabia), Rome (Italy), Lourdes (France), Santiago de Compostella (Spain), Guadalupe (Mexico), Kumbh Mela, Bodh Gaya (India), Shikoku (Japan) or Axum (Ethiopia), just to name a few of the thousands of significant pilgrimage sites in the world. For some of these sites, the place itself is of significance (Lourdes, Kumbh Mela), for other the travel to the site or sites is important (Santiago, Shikoku), and there are sites where there is travel within the sites (Mecca and Medina), or the journey and the site are essential for identity and ethnicity of the believers (Guadalupe). In view of Malta’s size and being an island, the significance is in the present times is not in the travel to the island, but of being there and possibly in having short journeys of significance or processions. In the past, of course, the travel to Malta over sea could be a hazardous undertaking. Pawlikowska-Piechotka et al. (2016, p.305) claim that ‘in the European tradition, the most famous sanctuaries are Rome, Jasna Gora, Santiago de Compostella, Fatima, Kutná Hora, Zelena Hora, Medjugorije and Lourdes,’ but that many pilgrims also like to visit smaller sites within rural environments, in order to come to a better understanding of themselves and to get a more intense connection with the sites they visit. Such pilgrims are also curious about the local culture and tradition.