Mediated Touring of Sacred Sites : Pilgrims, Shrines, and the Media

Global media and religion scholars come together to provide overdue scholarly investigations of the myriad interactions of media and tourism at religious sites. Hundreds of millions of people flock to sacred sites around the globe every year, and scholarly research is only beginning to appreciate how media plays a role in these tourists’ experiences. Exploring mass media’s depictions of sacred sites, sacred sites’ use of media to attract and guide tourists, and tourists’ creation of media during their visits, contributors from more than 13 countries present case studies spanning religious traditions, types of tourism, and traditional and digital media. Chapters examine cases surrounding: -sacred sites' self-produced websites and other media -pilgrims' social media posts about experiences at religious sites -effects of media coverage upon the image and perceived legitimacy of sacred places -media uses in guiding visitor experiences of religious sites -media-generated interest in religious sites -the projection of religious sites through media channels -religious authority of sites challenged by media content -new media as political tool in sites holy to more than one faith