Virtual Τourism/Virtual Reality and Technology Use: Applications and Implications for Religious and Pilgrimage Tourism. The Case of Greece

The article aims to present the applications and the value of technologies (virtual reality, digital technologies, information technologies (IT), internet, etc…) in the development of cultural/religious tourism, especially in Greece, a country with a unique and rich religious heritage and a member of the European Union, which over the last few years has taken significant actions and initiatives in the area of digitisation and online accessibility of cultural material. Furthermore, it examines potential areas of impact for technology. ‘Cultural heritage’ includes monuments, architectural works, works of monumental sculpture and painting, inscriptions, cave dwellings, historic buildings, archaeological sites but also cultural aspects which have no tangible, material dimension (e.g. music, dance, knowledge and practices, etc.). Furthermore ‘Religious heritage’ includes sacred, religious sites, Holy Places, churches, monasteries, artefacts, as well as icons, wall paintings, manuscripts and works on paper, works of minor arts, ceramics, textiles, paintings, mosaics and copies. Cultural/religious heritage as a sector of tourism plays an important role in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic growth, fostering innovation and providing benefits for all. The use of technology can play an essential role in enabling cultural experiences, knowledge creation, accessibility of cultural/religious heritage and in offering additional opportunities for a better utilization, management and preservation of religious heritage. Making tourism and culture inclusive and virtually accessible for all is vital, especially in pandemic periods.