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Religious Tourism Market Size, Share and Forecast 2026-2036

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.

USD 353 bnMarket size 2026
USD 682 bnForecast 2036
6.8%CAGR 2026-2036
IndiaLargest country

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5 segmentation views25 countries2026 to 2036 yearly forecast

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.

ScopeVisitor spending on religious and pilgrimage travel: transport, lodging, food, offerings and organised pilgrimage packages to holy sites.
IndustryTravel and Tourism
Value 2025USD 330 bn
Value 2026USD 353 bn
Value 2036USD 682 bn
CAGR 2026-20366.8%
Volume 2026626 million pilgrimage trips
Volume 2036945 million pilgrimage trips
Average price 2026USD 564 per pilgrimage trip
Report priceStarts from USD 1,999
PublishedNovember 2026

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Religious Tourism market size and forecast, 2026-2036

Exhibit 1The global religious tourism market is forecast to grow from USD 353 bn in 2026 to USD 682 bn by 2036, a rise of 93%Global market value in USD: 2025 base year, 2026 estimate and forecast to 2036. CAGR 2026 to 2036: 6.8%
Religious Tourism market value, 2025 to 2036Market value by year. 2025: USD 330 bn; 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. Compound annual growth rate 2026 to 2036: 6.8%.2025353 bn2026491 bn2031682 bn20366.8% CAGR

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

YearMarket value
2026USD 353 bn
2027USD 377 bn
2028USD 403 bn
2029USD 430 bn
2030USD 459 bn
2031USD 491 bn
2032USD 524 bn
2033USD 560 bn
2034USD 598 bn
2035USD 638 bn
2036USD 682 bn

Religious Tourism market segmentation

By faith

Exhibit 2Hindu pilgrimage is the largest segment by faith, with 36.0% of 2026 revenueEstimated share of 2026 global revenue, by faith
Religious Tourism market share by faith, 2026Share of 2026 revenue by faith. Hindu pilgrimage: 36.0%; Muslim pilgrimage: 30.0%; Christian pilgrimage: 22.0%; Buddhist and other: 12.0%.Hindu pilgrimage36.0%Muslim pilgrimage30.0%Christian pilgrimage22.0%Buddhist and other12.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Hindu pilgrimage36.0%40.0%USD 127 bn7.9%
Muslim pilgrimage30.0%30.3%USD 106 bn6.9%
Christian pilgrimage22.0%17.6%USD 77.7 bn4.4%
Buddhist and other12.0%12.1%USD 42.4 bn6.9%

By spend category

Exhibit 3Packages and services adds the most revenue by spend category, growing from USD 98.9 bn in 2026 to USD 202 bn by 2036Estimated revenue in USD by spend category, 2026 and 2036 forecast
Religious Tourism market by spend category, 2026 and 2036Revenue by spend category in 2026 and 2036. Packages and services: USD 98.9 bn in 2026, USD 202 bn in 2036, change +104%; Transport: USD 91.8 bn in 2026, USD 171 bn in 2036, change +86%; Accommodation: USD 84.7 bn in 2026, USD 165 bn in 2036, change +95%; Food and offerings: USD 77.7 bn in 2026, USD 144 bn in 2036, change +86%.20262036 forecastChangePackages and services+104%98.9 bn202 bnTransport+86%91.8 bn171 bnAccommodation+95%84.7 bn165 bnFood and offerings+86%77.7 bn144 bn

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Transport26.0%25.0%USD 91.8 bn6.4%
Accommodation24.0%24.2%USD 84.7 bn6.9%
Food and offerings22.0%21.2%USD 77.7 bn6.4%
Packages and services28.0%29.6%USD 98.9 bn7.4%

By pilgrim origin

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Local pilgrims28.0%26.0%USD 98.9 bn6.0%
Domestic long-distance pilgrims34.0%32.0%USD 120 bn6.2%
International pilgrims38.0%42.0%USD 134 bn7.9%

By group type

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Organised groups54.0%50.0%USD 191 bn6.0%
Individuals and families30.0%32.0%USD 106 bn7.5%
Institution-led groups16.0%18.0%USD 56.5 bn8.1%

By accommodation

SegmentShare 2026Share 2036Value 2026CAGR 2026-36
Religious guesthouses and ashrams28.0%26.0%USD 98.9 bn6.0%
Budget hotels36.0%34.0%USD 127 bn6.2%
Mid-range and premium hotels36.0%40.0%USD 127 bn7.9%

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%.

Exhibit 4India is the largest country market at USD 127 bn in 2026, and the three largest countries hold 56.0% of global revenueEstimated 2026 revenue in USD and share of the global market, ten largest countries
Religious Tourism market, ten largest countries in 2026Ten largest countries by 2026 revenue. India: USD 127 bn, 36.0%; Saudi Arabia: USD 49.4 bn, 14.0%; Iran: USD 21.2 bn, 6.0%; Indonesia: USD 21.2 bn, 6.0%; China: USD 21.2 bn, 6.0%; United States: USD 17.7 bn, 5.0%; Italy: USD 14.1 bn, 4.0%; Turkey: USD 14.1 bn, 4.0%; Israel: USD 10.6 bn, 3.0%; Mexico: USD 10.6 bn, 3.0%.India127 bn 36.0%Saudi Arabia49.4 bn 14.0%Iran21.2 bn 6.0%Indonesia21.2 bn 6.0%China21.2 bn 6.0%United States17.7 bn 5.0%Italy14.1 bn 4.0%Turkey14.1 bn 4.0%Israel10.6 bn 3.0%Mexico10.6 bn 3.0%

Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.

#CountryValue 2026Share 2026Value 2036CAGR 2026-36
1IndiaUSD 127 bn36.0%USD 277 bn8.1%
2Saudi ArabiaUSD 49.4 bn14.0%USD 103 bn7.6%
3IranUSD 21.2 bn6.0%USD 33.4 bn4.7%
4IndonesiaUSD 21.2 bn6.0%USD 40.2 bn6.6%
5ChinaUSD 21.2 bn6.0%USD 40.2 bn6.6%
6United StatesUSD 17.7 bn5.0%USD 25.2 bn3.6%
7ItalyUSD 14.1 bn4.0%USD 20.5 bn3.8%
8TurkeyUSD 14.1 bn4.0%USD 24.5 bn5.7%
9IsraelUSD 10.6 bn3.0%USD 16.4 bn4.4%
10MexicoUSD 10.6 bn3.0%USD 17.7 bn5.3%
11IraqUSD 5.2 bn1.5%USD 9.7 bn6.5%
12PakistanUSD 4.6 bn1.3%USD 8.5 bn6.5%
13EgyptUSD 4.0 bn1.1%USD 7.5 bn6.5%
14PolandUSD 3.5 bn1.0%USD 6.6 bn6.5%
15FranceUSD 3.1 bn0.9%USD 5.8 bn6.4%
16SpainUSD 2.7 bn0.8%USD 5.1 bn6.5%
17PortugalUSD 2.4 bn0.7%USD 4.5 bn6.5%
18BrazilUSD 2.1 bn0.6%USD 4.0 bn6.4%
19ThailandUSD 1.9 bn0.5%USD 3.5 bn6.4%
20MalaysiaUSD 1.6 bn0.5%USD 3.1 bn6.6%
21BangladeshUSD 1.4 bn0.4%USD 2.7 bn6.5%
22Sri LankaUSD 1.3 bn0.4%USD 2.4 bn6.5%
23NepalUSD 1.1 bn0.3%USD 2.1 bn6.5%
24NigeriaUSD 989 mn0.3%USD 1.8 bn6.4%
25PhilippinesUSD 847 mn0.2%USD 1.6 bn6.8%
Rest of worldUSD 9.1 bn2.6%USD 14.9 bn5.0%
Exhibit 5India and Saudi Arabia account for 62% of the USD 329 bn the market is forecast to add by 2036Forecast revenue added between 2026 and 2036 by country, in USD
Religious Tourism market, where the growth to 2036 comes fromRevenue added between 2026 and 2036. Market value 2026: USD 353 bn. India: +USD 150 bn; Saudi Arabia: +USD 53.5 bn; Indonesia: +USD 19.0 bn; China: +USD 19.0 bn; Iran: +USD 12.2 bn; 20 other countries: +USD 69.4 bn; Rest of world: +USD 5.8 bn. Market value 2036: USD 682 bn.Market value 2026353 bnIndia+150 bnSaudi Arabia+53.5 bnIndonesia+19.0 bnChina+19.0 bnIran+12.2 bn20 other countries+69.4 bnRest of world+5.8 bnMarket value 2036682 bn

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.

Read the full research methodology

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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