The Christmas season invites reflection on spirituality. Accordingly, this edition of the Tourism Watch Information Service is dedicated to sacred places of various religions. Often part of the UNESCO World Heritage, these locations combine faith, history, and culture. However, they face significant challenges: mass tourism, climate change, and infrastructural interventions threaten their preservation and hinder spiritual practices. At the same time, tourism also presents opportunities that benefit both local communities and these sacred places: it creates jobs, raises awareness of their cultural and ecological importance, and supports their conservation and restoration.
The following articles provide an in-depth examination of this tension. In the Andes, the planned construction of an airport near Machu Picchu threatens the spiritual connection of the Quechua people to this location—an impressive example of the need for sustainable tourism models that preserve indigenous rights and cultural integrity. The article on the Patan Durbar Square in Nepal demonstrates how tourism played a vital role in rebuilding this Hindu site after the 2015 earthquake. Entrance fees, the use of traditional building materials, and well-planned visitor management contribute to the long-term preservation of this World Heritage location. The Ethiopian rock-hewn churches of Lalibela illustrate the challenging balance between the economic benefits of tourism and the protection of spiritual practices. To preserve religious ceremonies, the authorities implement photography bans and restricted access.
Lastly, our article on the Buddhist site of Thotlakonda in India explores how to approach visits to such sacred places. Our author shares his reflections: A mindful preparation and thoughtful engagement with the spiritual significance of these sites remind us to see them not just as travel destinations but as sources of inspiration, learning, and contemplation. Thotlakonda also highlights the fragility of such places and the need to avoid overuse in order to preserve them for future generations.
We wish you an inspiring read and a peaceful Christmas!
