tronomy is not only a special attraction for certain
tourists, but also upgrades the travelling experi-
ence of all visitors.
c. Religious tourism
Religious tourism ―in contrast to recreational
tourism, which is regarded as a luxury― shows a
great resilience during crises everywhere, as well
as a tendency to grow rapidly whenever the prob-
lems of the global economy subside.
Greece has many important Byzantine and other
Christian monuments, and many places of pil-
grimage, which generate many prospects for fur-
ther developing religious tourism in Greece and
abroad, not only seasonally, but all over the year,
potentially drawing from the visitor pool of the
Orthodox peoples of the neighbouring Balkan
countries, as well as Cypriots and emigrant
Greeks.
The most popular Greek religious tour and pil-
grimage destinations are Mount Athos in
Khalkidhiki, Meteora, the church of Panaghia
Soumela in Veria, the church of Virgin Mary in
Tenos, the Cave of St John’s Apocalypse in
Patmos, historic monasteries (Arkadi in
Rethymnon, Aghia Lavra in Achaia, Aghios Rafail
in Mytilene, Kugi in Souli) and churches or
monasteries of special natural beauty (Aghios
Achilios in Prespes, the Holy Monastery of St
John the Prophet in Serres and the monasteries
of mountainous Arcadia).
Given the appropriate promotion, this specialized
form of tourism could also attract, apart from typ-
ical visitors, groups from the religious, archaeo-
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