Faith Tourism: A Neglected Tourism Sector?
Travelling has a way of humbling a person and broadens one’s perspective in multiple ways. People travel for various reasons: To escape a mundane life; to relax and unwind; to explore and seek adventure; for work and business opportunities; to learn something new and challenge oneself or celebrate and visit loved ones. But there is another motivation for travel that is as old as time itself and one which encourages vast masses to make frequent journeys. Faith tourism – or Religious tourism – as it is sometimes referred to, is a type of tourism where individuals or masses of people travel with a desire to participate in religious celebrations and ceremonies, to learn more about centres of worship and relics, to join fellowships or make pilgrimage to worship saints.
This edition of the magazine presents us with an opportunity to deeply look into faith-based tourism and churches across the continent of Africa. Reports of pastors convincing worshippers to eat snakes, spraying insecticide into mouths of believers during fully packed sermons under the guise of God’s hand apparently, and even buildings that collapse due to poor structural engineering – there has been much strange activity, but no consequence. This makes us ask a single question; should churches not be regulated? (see page 76).
To this extent, I will like to say that I am delighted to work with the talented team here at Nomad Africa as I assume the position as the new Managing Editor. It was a daunting idea to build something new in travel journalism – something brave, bold and exceptionally beautiful. Africa’s future is an open road and we’re picking up speed, so it is the perfect time to be joining.
Good writing and engaging storytelling are the lenses through which we connect with the world. I look forward to exploring the various cultures, people, developments and trends impacting Africa’s travel and tourism industry.
