CALL FOR PAPERS: TOURISM, RELIGION, AND POLITICS –

“Open Theology” (https://www.degruyterbrill.com/opth) invites submissions for the special issue “Tourism, Religion, and Politics: The Influence of Political Environments on Religious Tourism,” edited by Dr. Caglar Ezikoglu.

DESCRIPTION

This topical issue seeks contributions that explore the complex intersection of tourism, religion, and politics. We are particularly looking for studies examining how the political environment influences religious tourism. Submissions should aim to integrate theoretical and practical theology with empirically grounded analysis (qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method) to examine these dynamics.
To fully explore this intersection, the issue particularly welcomes studies that analyze the role of state policies, investigating how government regulations, diplomacy, and political stability directly impact religious travel and heritage sites. Furthermore, contributors are encouraged to examine the concepts of soft power and identity, specifically how religious tourism is utilized as a strategic tool for national identity building and the projection of political soft power. This issue also emphasizes the importance of social locations and intersectionality, inviting critical examinations of how class, race/ethnicity, indigeneity, and colonial legacies shape both access to and the lived experiences of religious tourism. Finally, we welcome case-based evaluations that offer transferable indicators and benchmarks to help understand political mobilization through religious tourism routes.
Especially welcomed are papers presenting:
• State Policies & Pilgrimage: Analyses of how government regulations, diplomacy, and political stability impact religious travel and heritage sites.
• Soft Power & Identity: Examinations of religious tourism as a tool for national identity building and political soft power.
• Social Locations & Intersectionality: Examine how class, race/ethnicity, indigeneity, and colonial legacies shape access to and the experience of religious tourism.
• Case-Based Evaluations: Transferable indicators and benchmarks for understanding political mobilization through religious tourism routes.
Because “Open Theology” is published under an open access model, as a rule, publication costs should be covered by Article Publishing Charges (APC), paid by authors, their affiliated institutions, funders or sponsors. Authors without access to publishing funds are encouraged to discuss potential discounts or waivers with OA Portfolio Manager Magdalena Skoneczna (magdalena.skoneczna@degruyterbrill.com) before submitting their manuscripts.

HOW TO SUBMIT

Submissions will be collected until July 31, 2026, via the on-line submission system at http://www.editorialmanager.com/openth/.
Please choose section/category: special issue Tourism, Religion, and Politics.

Before submission, authors should carefully read the Instruction for Authors, available at: https://www.degruyter.com/publication/journal_key/OPTH/downloadAsset/OPTH_Instruction%20for%20Authors.pdf

All contributions will undergo critical peer review before being accepted for publication.

Further questions about content for this thematic issue can be addressed to the editor, Dr. Caglar Ezikoglu (c.ezikoglu@wlv.ac.uk).

Financial questions should be directed to the journal OA Portfolio Manager Magdalena Skoneczna (magdalena.skoneczna@degruyterbrill.com).

In case of technical problems with submission please write to Assistant.Managing.Editor@degruyterbrill.com

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