Can pilgrimage tourism impede climate change? A dynamic capabilities approach

Author Bios (50 Words for each Author)

Dr Senbeto Dagnachew Leta was a lecturer and researcher at Arba Minch University, Ethiopia. He has completed his PhD at The School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Currently, he is a Research Assistant Professor at Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, The Open University of Hong Kong. His research interests include crisis, sustainability, seasonality, and workforce in tourism and hospitality.

Abstract (150 Words)

As one aspect of religious tourism, pilgrimage tourism can be considered as a powerful force to mitigate climate change and to promote sustainability in general. However, the existing literature on the relationship between pilgrimage tourism has tended to and sustainability focuses on either demand or supply-side perspectives apart from one another. Thus, there is a dearth of understanding about the interaction between religious organizations and pilgrims and how this type of tourism can be harnessed to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability. Drawing from a dynamic capabilities approach, this study aims to: 1) explore how pilgrimage tourism assists to curb climate change, and 2) assess factors that strengthen the dynamic capability of the pilgrimage tourism in combating climate change in the context of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Draws from in-depth and semi-structured interviews with religious figures and pilgrims, the results of this study indicate that awareness of sustainability by itself is not enough, rather the combination of teaching and practice matter efforts to curb climate change but also to reinforce sustainability. The study highlights the potential of pilgrimage tourism to ensure SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) in the less-developed world context.

Keywords: Climate change; Pilgrimage; Dynamic capability; Demand; Supply; SDG; Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

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Can pilgrimage tourism impede climate change? A dynamic capabilities approach

As one aspect of religious tourism, pilgrimage tourism can be considered as a powerful force to mitigate climate change and to promote sustainability in general. However, the existing literature on the relationship between pilgrimage tourism has tended to and sustainability focuses on either demand or supply-side perspectives apart from one another. Thus, there is a dearth of understanding about the interaction between religious organizations and pilgrims and how this type of tourism can be harnessed to tackle climate change and ensure sustainability. Drawing from a dynamic capabilities approach, this study aims to: 1) explore how pilgrimage tourism assists to curb climate change, and 2) assess factors that strengthen the dynamic capability of the pilgrimage tourism in combating climate change in the context of Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Draws from in-depth and semi-structured interviews with religious figures and pilgrims, the results of this study indicate that awareness of sustainability by itself is not enough, rather the combination of teaching and practice matter efforts to curb climate change but also to reinforce sustainability. The study highlights the potential of pilgrimage tourism to ensure SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) in the less-developed world context.

Keywords: Climate change; Pilgrimage; Dynamic capability; Demand; Supply; SDG; Ethiopian Orthodox Church.