Title: The role of volunteers in the provision of faith tourism in the north of the UK

Authors: Nigel D. Morpeth

Addresses: School of Events, Hospitality and Tourism, Leeds Metropolitan University, Headingley Campus, LS6 3QN, UK

Abstract: This paper considers the crucial role of faith sites within the UK as providing opportunities for special interest tourism visitation. It considers current research on the management of faith sites which are increasingly reliant on volunteers to welcome visitors. Whilst concurrently larger places of worship such as UK cathedrals, consider the introduction of new 'pricing' strategies and position themselves within an Attractions Sector, smaller faith sites are reliant on the work of volunteers to welcome visitors. This paper reviews the wider implication of the 'use' of volunteers in so-called 'Big Society'.

Keywords: faith tourism; volunteers; religious tourism; churches; interpretation management; visitation; faith sites; experience; strategies; cultural heritage; religious travel; sacred sites; UK cathedrals; United Kingdom; Big Society.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2012.048998

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2012 Vol.4 No.2, pp.106 - 116

Published online: 14 Nov 2014 *

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