Call for Abstracts: 5th APIRTP Conference | Takasaki, Japan, 8–11 January 2027
July 3, 2026
The 5th International Asia Pacific Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage Conference (APIRTP), organised by the Institute for Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage (IRTP) together with the International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage (IJRTP) and Takasaki City University of Economics, will be held in Takasaki, Gunma, Japan, from 8 to 11 January 2027. The conference invites abstracts across its main themes.
The aim of the conference is to provide both empirical and personal insight into the changing nature of religion in society, and to advance the debate, for policymakers and academics alike, on how these evolving challenges bear on the future development of faith tourism and pilgrimage. Acceptance rests primarily on presenting papers that speak to the conference's main themes.
Conference themes
The conference welcomes contributions across the following areas, including but not limited to those listed.
Conference themes
Abstracts are welcome on any of the following, and on related themes in religious tourism and pilgrimage.
- · AI and Pilgrims' Experience at Religious Sites
- · Cultural Heritage
- · Crowd Control and Crowd Dynamics at Religious Sites
- · Digital and Virtual Religious Tourism
- · Diaspora and Ancestral Religious Tourism
- · Environmental Impacts on Religious Sites
- · Faith and Gastronomy in Religious Tourism
- · Gastronomy in Religious Tourism
- · Globalisation and Impacts at Religious Sites
- · Healing, Wellness, and Religious Health Tourism
- · Heritage and Religious Architecture
- · Interfaith and Multi-faith Tourism
- · Legal, Security, and Safety Issues for Pilgrims
- · Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism Motivations
- · Mobilities, Pilgrimage, and Tourism
- · Physical Environment and Sacred Destinations
- · Pilgrimage, Spirituality, Religion, and Tourism
- · Pilgrimage and Sacred Journeys
- · Poetics and Politics of Religious Tourism
- · Overtourism at Religious Sites
- · Regenerative Tourism at Pilgrimage Sites
- · Religious Commemoration and Remembrance
- · Religious Tourism and Political Economy
- · Risks and Conflicts at Sacred Sites
- · Spiritual Reflection and Cemeteries
- · Social Media and IT for Pilgrimage
- · Sustainability in Pilgrimage and Religious Tourism
- · Sustainable Practices for Religious Tourism
- · Terrorism, Migration, and Religious Tourism
- · Theory, Philosophy, and Theology of Religious Tourism
Abstract format and submission
Each abstract should include a clear and precise title; the names, institutional affiliations, and email addresses of all contributing authors; five keywords describing the research; a concise abstract of up to 300 words in good English; and three key bibliographic references at the end. Abstracts should be set in 12-point Arial, single-spaced, and proofread before submission. Each abstract is subject to blind review by a minimum of two referees from the Scientific Committee. Papers are submitted through the link on the conference website.
Key dates, fees, and publication
Dates, fees, and publication
Key logistics for planning a submission and attendance.
- Abstract deadline15 September 2026
- Acceptance notice30 September 2026
- Registration deadline1 December 2026
- Full paper deadline15 March 2027
- Conference dates8–11 January 2027, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
- FeesNo presentation fee for accepted speakers; participation approximately US$250, covering tea and coffee, lunches, and the Gala Dinner. Accommodation recommendations provided.
- PublicationSelected papers published in the International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage, and considered as chapters in the CABI Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage book series.
General inquiries can be directed to the organising team at apirtp2027@gmail.com. The Institute for Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage also runs a range of book projects in religious tourism and pilgrimage, and welcomes expressions of interest from prospective chapter and article contributors.
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