The return of the ‘Black Swan’? Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the Covid-19 pandemic

Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land may offer a viable exit strategy from the economic and social disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, according to new research. The study draws parallels between the Roman Empire's conversion to Christianity in AD 325—a 'Black Swan' event that reshaped the frankincense economy—and the current crisis, suggesting that the unique attributes of pilgrimage tourism could drive recovery. By analyzing historical and economic patterns, the research proposes that targeted focus on this niche market segment could mitigate broader impacts on Israel's tourism industry while fostering sustainable growth.

Shilo, S., & Collins-Kreiner, N. (2022). The return of the ‘Black Swan’? Christian pilgrimage to the Holy Land and the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of Qualitative Research in Tourism, 3(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.4337/jqrt.2022.0002