Market overview
The global religious tourism market is worth USD 353 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 682 bn by 2036, growing at a 6.8% CAGR. India is the largest country market and Hindu pilgrimage is the largest by faith segment.
| Scope | Visitor spending on religious and pilgrimage travel: transport, lodging, food, offerings and organised pilgrimage packages to holy sites. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 330 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 353 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 682 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 6.8% |
| Volume 2026 | 626 million pilgrimage trips |
| Volume 2036 | 945 million pilgrimage trips |
| Average price 2026 | USD 564 per pilgrimage trip |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Religious Tourism market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 353 bn |
| 2027 | USD 377 bn |
| 2028 | USD 403 bn |
| 2029 | USD 430 bn |
| 2030 | USD 459 bn |
| 2031 | USD 491 bn |
| 2032 | USD 524 bn |
| 2033 | USD 560 bn |
| 2034 | USD 598 bn |
| 2035 | USD 638 bn |
| 2036 | USD 682 bn |
Religious Tourism market segmentation
By faith
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu pilgrimage | 36.0% | 40.0% | USD 127 bn | 7.9% |
| Muslim pilgrimage | 30.0% | 30.3% | USD 106 bn | 6.9% |
| Christian pilgrimage | 22.0% | 17.6% | USD 77.7 bn | 4.4% |
| Buddhist and other | 12.0% | 12.1% | USD 42.4 bn | 6.9% |
By spend category
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transport | 26.0% | 25.0% | USD 91.8 bn | 6.4% |
| Accommodation | 24.0% | 24.2% | USD 84.7 bn | 6.9% |
| Food and offerings | 22.0% | 21.2% | USD 77.7 bn | 6.4% |
| Packages and services | 28.0% | 29.6% | USD 98.9 bn | 7.4% |
By pilgrim origin
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local pilgrims | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 98.9 bn | 6.0% |
| Domestic long-distance pilgrims | 34.0% | 32.0% | USD 120 bn | 6.2% |
| International pilgrims | 38.0% | 42.0% | USD 134 bn | 7.9% |
By group type
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organised groups | 54.0% | 50.0% | USD 191 bn | 6.0% |
| Individuals and families | 30.0% | 32.0% | USD 106 bn | 7.5% |
| Institution-led groups | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 56.5 bn | 8.1% |
By accommodation
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Religious guesthouses and ashrams | 28.0% | 26.0% | USD 98.9 bn | 6.0% |
| Budget hotels | 36.0% | 34.0% | USD 127 bn | 6.2% |
| Mid-range and premium hotels | 36.0% | 40.0% | USD 127 bn | 7.9% |
Top 25 countries for religious tourism by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 87.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 97.4%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | India | USD 127 bn | 36.0% | USD 277 bn | 8.1% |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | USD 49.4 bn | 14.0% | USD 103 bn | 7.6% |
| 3 | Iran | USD 21.2 bn | 6.0% | USD 33.4 bn | 4.7% |
| 4 | Indonesia | USD 21.2 bn | 6.0% | USD 40.2 bn | 6.6% |
| 5 | China | USD 21.2 bn | 6.0% | USD 40.2 bn | 6.6% |
| 6 | United States | USD 17.7 bn | 5.0% | USD 25.2 bn | 3.6% |
| 7 | Italy | USD 14.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 20.5 bn | 3.8% |
| 8 | Turkey | USD 14.1 bn | 4.0% | USD 24.5 bn | 5.7% |
| 9 | Israel | USD 10.6 bn | 3.0% | USD 16.4 bn | 4.4% |
| 10 | Mexico | USD 10.6 bn | 3.0% | USD 17.7 bn | 5.3% |
| 11 | Iraq | USD 5.2 bn | 1.5% | USD 9.7 bn | 6.5% |
| 12 | Pakistan | USD 4.6 bn | 1.3% | USD 8.5 bn | 6.5% |
| 13 | Egypt | USD 4.0 bn | 1.1% | USD 7.5 bn | 6.5% |
| 14 | Poland | USD 3.5 bn | 1.0% | USD 6.6 bn | 6.5% |
| 15 | France | USD 3.1 bn | 0.9% | USD 5.8 bn | 6.4% |
| 16 | Spain | USD 2.7 bn | 0.8% | USD 5.1 bn | 6.5% |
| 17 | Portugal | USD 2.4 bn | 0.7% | USD 4.5 bn | 6.5% |
| 18 | Brazil | USD 2.1 bn | 0.6% | USD 4.0 bn | 6.4% |
| 19 | Thailand | USD 1.9 bn | 0.5% | USD 3.5 bn | 6.4% |
| 20 | Malaysia | USD 1.6 bn | 0.5% | USD 3.1 bn | 6.6% |
| 21 | Bangladesh | USD 1.4 bn | 0.4% | USD 2.7 bn | 6.5% |
| 22 | Sri Lanka | USD 1.3 bn | 0.4% | USD 2.4 bn | 6.5% |
| 23 | Nepal | USD 1.1 bn | 0.3% | USD 2.1 bn | 6.5% |
| 24 | Nigeria | USD 989 mn | 0.3% | USD 1.8 bn | 6.4% |
| 25 | Philippines | USD 847 mn | 0.2% | USD 1.6 bn | 6.8% |
| Rest of world | USD 9.1 bn | 2.6% | USD 14.9 bn | 5.0% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Thomas Cook India
- Kesari Tours
- Cox & Kings
- Flight Centre Travel Group
- Saudia Hajj and Umrah
- Etihad Airways
- Veena World
- Seera Group
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Almosafer
- Kuoni
- TUI Group
- Pilgrimage Tours International
- IRCTC
- SOTC Travel
- Air India
- Garuda Indonesia
- Lembaga Tabung Haji
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Mecca Tours
- Hajj Umrah Planner
- Holy Land Pilgrim
- Camino Travel Centre
- Santiago Ways
- CaminoWays
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the religious tourism market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 6.8% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by faith, by spend category, by pilgrim origin, by group type, by accommodation. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the religious tourism market?
The global religious tourism market is estimated at USD 330 bn in 2025 and USD 353 bn in 2026.
How fast will the religious tourism market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 682 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 6.8% from 2026, an increase of USD 329 bn.
Which country is the largest market for religious tourism?
India is the largest market by revenue at USD 127 bn in 2026, 36.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 56.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which religious tourism segment is largest?
In the by faith split, Hindu pilgrimage is the largest segment with 36.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading religious tourism companies?
Global leaders include Thomas Cook India, Kesari Tours, Cox & Kings, Flight Centre Travel Group.
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