Can we have faith in religious tourism?
Postcard — By Darren Millar AM on June 25, 2010 7:00 am
You gotta have faith: the Moriah Chapel in Lougher, scene of the 1904 Revival
MENTION tourism in Wales to a passer-by and it is almost certain that they will begin to think of our glorious landscapes, beautiful national parks, quaint villages and hamlets, traditional seaside resorts and castles. Indeed, our country is well known for its warm welcome and hospitality.
But aside from these more traditional images of Wales, which we portray so well to those over the border and further afield, we have some other wonderful gems that many are ignorant of. No, I’m not thinking here of our theme parks, zoos, museums and other attractions. I’m thinking of our churches, chapels, and holy wells. It is in these that Wales has a rich religious heritage which has gone untapped and unnoticed by the majority of visitors for far too long.
Millions of people embark upon spiritual pilgrimages around the globe each year, flocking to hot spots like Jerusalem, the Vatican City, Mecca and Lourdes and it is estimated that around 1.5 million visitors flocked to northern Italy for the recent exhibition of the Shroud of Turin (the first for decades). Here in the UK, while many thousands still make their way to places like Lindisfarne and Canterbury, other places of pilgrimage have seen their popularity wane from their heyday before the Reformation – but the tide is turning.
The past few years have seen an increasing interest in spirituality in the UK. According to a 2009 survey by Christian Research, three quarters of respondents had reassessed their core values as a result of the international economic crisis. With the failings of capitalism, consumerism and the cult of celebrity exposed, people have been switching to the spiritual void in their lives and in an attempt to address it.
In spite of very little marketing of the opportunities to experience sacred sites, there are reports of increasing numbers of visitors to sacred sites in all parts of the UK. Wales could, and should, make the most of this renewed interest in religious tourism.
In 2008, the Faith in Wales report, published by Gweini, estimated that over 2.5 million tourists visited religious buildings here each year, contributing over £12 million to the Welsh economy. It established that the motive for these visits often went beyond an interest in architecture, and included an interest in religious history. There were examples of Christian tourists from South Korea tracing the routes of their denomination back to Hanover Church in Llanover, near Abergavenny, and other international tourists visiting Moriah Chapel in Lougher to commemorate the 1904 religious revival. The report also made the point that faith communities maintain around 1,600 listed buildings in Wales and are therefore vital in terms of protecting our built heritage. So, even before the recent increase in interest in religious tourism, Wales was clearly an important destination for some, but how do we widen this appeal?
A tourism strategy focused on widening the appeal of sacred sites and actively promoting them would be a good start. The failure to recognise sacred sites in the Welsh Assembly Government’s Cultural Tourism Action Plan is a mistake which needs to be addressed. Opportunities to promote faith trails which follow historic pilgrim routes, the hundreds of holy wells and resting places of Celtic saints should not be overlooked in terms of their potential to draw new visitors into Wales.
Even those who do not profess a faith can and do appreciate history the connection with the past and the tranquility and beauty which many of our sacred sites afford. Locals too, would benefit from promotion of these sites, whether they are used for the exercise in walking a pilgrim route, improving a knowledge of local history, or just the sense of well being that a visit to such places can inspire.
Tags: church, religious, tourism, Wales
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15 Comments
I think this is a great idea. Although atheist, the memory of visiting Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain and witnessing the joy of the pilgrims who made the journey to visit the cathedral there, and their devotion to St James, whose remains are reputed to be interred in the city, was something truly magical and it will remain with me forever.
The church – or, perhaps, more accurately, chapel – played a huge role in the development of industrial Wales, giving rise to a large number of magnificent buildings across the country, many of which lie scandalously empty and in a state is disrepair.
When we have run pieces in defence of Christianity in the past, it has led to some rancorous debate, with all kinds of allegations that referenced shameful passages in our past as far back as the conduct of (some) Crusaders. I hope readers see Darren’s argument for what it is. Not a promotion of religion (although that is happily permitted on WalesHome), but an argument that Wales has a rich, religious past that appeals not only to practising Christians, but also to those interested in our social and industrial heritage.
It would not be impossible for the Welsh Government to oversee the establishment of a ‘pilgrim’s trail’, taking in routes like the Monk’s Trod, which passes over the Cambrian Mountains and links the ruins at Abbeycwmhir and Strata Florida. As Darren says – nice bit of exercise.
So past articles on christianity have led to rancourous debate? Well let me be the first on this one. What a load of superstitious tosh. Just because a load of numpty monks a millennia ago were daft enough to walk across Wales, monty python style on a superstitious hunch doesn’t mean the rest of us should.
You’re quite right to say the industrial revolution saw a huge increase in chapels, paid for from the little the workers had on the promise of happiness ever after. The reason so many chapels are now empty, or dismantled and sold stone by stone, is because most of us have seen through this nonsense and would rather have our jam today thank you very much.
I can see a time when we stare and wonder at Christian buildings in the same way we do when we visit pre christian sites now.
I would see some merit in the plan to canonise even the buildings if I had the slightest hint that it would include sites of note of other faiths, but I don’t think that’s the way the author rolls. If any WAG funding or blessing is forthcoming it should be matched like for like by the church, to put plaques on each chapel apologising to the working class, women, gay men and in some institutions’ histories children.
“Just because a load of numpty monks a millennia ago were daft enough to walk across Wales, monty python style on a superstitious hunch doesn’t mean the rest of us should.”
I don’t think anyone’s saying you should, Mal. Just that you could, and Wales’s approach to tourism might make that choice easier. But staying at home and ranting down your keyboard is fine as well.
And personally, I’d be very happy to see Wales’s many great and historic synagogues, mosques and temples added into the proposed strategy.
I think this is a great suggestion by Darren Millar – though as he himself points out many have been coming to Wales for years to experience this heritage. The Americans especially like to visit religious revival sites. To include the suggestion in any tourism startegy the WAG has would be valuable indeed. You cannot appreciate Wales’ heritage without understanding its religious – and in particular its Christian – history.
I think Mal’s comment does need addressing (though maybe not in this thread). As a church historian and committed Christian I am well aware of the harm done by Christians in Wales. The general lack of empathy and support to the early trades union movement is one sad example. Many others could be given.
The religious buildings and sites in Wales are a resource and for whatever reason they might be visited the result is that money either comes into Wales or stays in Wales a little longer. In addition most of these buildings and sites are in areas away from the M4 and A55 corridors, where local economies are in need of an injection of visitor money.
“think Mal’s comment does need addressing (though maybe not in this thread). As a church historian and committed Christian I am well aware of the harm done by Christians in Wales. The general lack of empathy and support to the early trades union movement is one sad example. Many others could be given”
I think you must have the protestant tradition in mind, what RS Thomas contemptibly referred to as “That adroit castrator of culture” I think or something like that?
I am sure you can think of lots of examples.
I would like to contribute more to this debate, but I have grass to cut and a house to clean. However I do commend St David’s Cathedral for their wonderful work on creating a great tourist centre that also meets the needs of pilgrims, helping local businesses. it just needs to improve its transport link! Railway?
Now, LLandaff Cathedral is easy to get to but there is nothing to, and apparently has no interest in marketing itself except for being used for Dr Who and its gigantic organ. There is so much potential. If I was the Dean and a local councillor I would be working my tail off to correct that.
I dont even see a reference to Roald Dahl there! what about a Roald Dahl museum?? Using Charlie and the chocolate factory as a theme!
Sorry I have sort of gone off topic, also LLandaff has done nothing for local business!
I too see no harm in WAG promoting faith trails in Wales – if sufficient evidence exists to demonstrate a worthwhile return on any resource invested.
But there does seem to be an element of special pleading in Darren’s piece. For instance, he claims that “The past few years have seen an increasing interest in spirituality in the UK. According to a 2009 survey by Christian Research, three quarters of respondents had reassessed their core values as a result of the international economic crisis”. I’m guessing ‘Christian Research’ aren’t entirely objective in this area. What reliable evidence is there to support the claim of increased interest in spirituality?
Darren goes on to note that: “In spite of very little marketing of the opportunities to experience sacred sites, there are reports of increasing numbers of visitors to sacred sites in all parts of the UK”. Hmmm – there are reports, are there? How many – one, two, a hundred? Whose reports? How reliable are they?
Later, there’s a report from Darren that “In 2008, the Faith in Wales report, published by Gweini, estimated that over 2.5 million tourists visited religious buildings here each year, contributing over £12 million to the Welsh economy”. Again, how unbiased is Gweini? How reliable is their ‘estimate’?
At a time of ConDem (yes, Con, Darren!) cuts to budgets, WAG will need to get the best value out of every pound spent. I hope any business case submitted for promoting sacred sites or faith trails will be supported by stronger evidence than Darren’s been able to share here.
“If any WAG funding or blessing is forthcoming it should be matched like for like by the church, to put plaques on each chapel apologising to the working class, women, gay men and in some institutions’ histories children.”
Apologise for what? My great-grandmother was a devout Chapel goer. Among the hardships of Rhondda life at the turn of the last century, it provided enormous comfort to her. Should our family be apologised to by a church that gave out hope in the midst of the grinding rigours of poverty?
This has to be one of the most crass, uninformed and bigoted comments we’ve ever had on this side. In it, not only did you manage to insult everyone that genuinely takes comfort from their faith (are we to presume you include Muslims, Jews, Hindus and every other religion?), you infer that there was – perhaps is – a worldwide mass conspiracy on the part of everyone who ever stepped foot inside a church to exploit and do down some imagined version of the working class you have, suggest Darren has a hidden motive – again with absolutely no evidence whatsoever – and then make some clunky, cack-handed attempt at speaking on behalf of an equality agenda.
So let’s have it, then – give us your list of ” sites of note of other faiths” in Wales. But what I find really distasteful is that you are in effect accusing anyone associated with Christianity of being moronic, exploited, exploitative and of furthering their own interests at the expense of the downtrodden man. That, fella, is prejudice and intolerance.
Duncan, sorry to have caused you so much anger. I do have a lot of respect for your views aired across this site but not on this subject I’m afraid.
I like the sound of your great nan reminds me of my mum. She goes to church or chapel at least twice week for comfort and community and is prepared to live with the little she has, watch others prosper on her hard work all on the promise of rewards to come. And still gives her hard earned money every week. That’s not fair, it wasn’t fair on your great nan and it’s not fair on my mum.
You’re right to ask about other faith traditions, it opens up some fascinating possibilities. Of course the most well known non christian pilgrimage must be Skanda Vale. A Hindu complex of temples offering teaching pilgrimage and sanctuary and attracting visitors from across the world. Wales due to it’s amazing natural setting is also home to many Buddhist retreats offering opportunities for pilgrimage and learning. It would also be fascinating to have a greater understanding of the role of Judaism in Wales. Following the history of synagogues and communities like Llanelli and Swansea who gave Britain it’s first Jewish prime minister. The history of the Islamic community and mosques would also be well worth celebrating as it mirrors Wales industrial growth through the Yemeni sailors and dock workers through to Wales’ role in a new global society. All this discoverable on a visit to the mosque in Swansea and a chat about it’s future plans. Wales has a wealth of interest to share.
Perhaps my last post was too oblique I wasn’t suggesting a hidden agenda, quite the opposite, Darren Millar is very open about his christianity. He is a man clear in his own faith and has been dogged by his comments on homosexuality and sin, and his comments on teaching creationism in schools. It seems for him religion is Christianity and my question was would he support other religions as he suggests the WAG should christian pilgrimage.
Your issue with my comment on equality issues worries me greatly. The churches continued day to day condemnation and damnation of gay men and women, the church who would rather not support any adoptions if it means working with gay couples, when whole congregations leave because a priest maybe gay or suggest blessing a gay couple. The church that “cures” gay men and women. It isn’t theology, it isn’t philosophical or an interesting discussion on semantics. It is hate speech and indefensible.
No other organisation gets away with this, no business, charity, political party, so why the church?
Other religions are as guilty but we are talking about christianity here.
In the words of danbert nobacon have your fun while you’re alive ‘cos you won’t get nothing when you die.
Mal, fair enough. One thing – when you say “the church”, you must be referring to the Catholic church, as the Anglican church and other Protestant denominations accept gay members of the clergy.
It was said that three pilgrimages to St. David’s equalled one pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
I’m all for showcasing Wales’ religious landmarks and Darren is right that there is a rich religious heritage in Wales from which to draw from. There certainly should be a “Christian tour”, so to speak, for those who wish to visit them- but I wouldn’t want the government to give money to any organisation which even suggests unequal treatment or discrimination towards women, gays, or other minorities should be the norm. As far as I know, the Catholic Church and the Muslim faith actively preach discrimination against gays and discriminate against them in certain hierarchal positions. So if those wish public funding for advertisements, then they need to change what they preach.
Mal, I’m an atheist and have no personal interest in religion. However, if people want to come to Wales to visit religious sites and spend their money here while they’re at it, I’m sure we’ll happily take their money. One does not have to agree with religious beliefs to profit from them.
Tourism is one of our major industries in Wales, and if we can expand that to include more religious tourism then that translates to more money being put into our economy. That can only be a good thing. The pros and cons of religion are a completely separate issue.
CTNW has been in existence for 10 years – is on the Wales cultural tourism partnership and has received some support from WAG for its work- I would love to meet up with you to expand on our work
I think a “pilgrim trail” to St Davids would have a lot of potential. If, as David Llywelyn says, three pilgrimages to St Davids is worth one to Rome, more than route could be developed – one starting at, say, Tintern Abbey and another from the north (Valle Crucis? Holywell?) passing through Bwlch y Groes, and maybe a purely coastal one.
I imagine this kind of development would provide good return on investment: no expensive infrastructure such as roads, just improvements to footpaths, signage and putting together all the local stories. It would encourage small scale, sustainable businesses such as B&Bs and shops.
Christianity is a major part of our heritage. Even if you don’t think religion had an entirely positive effect on Wales, neither did the English castles, but we should make the most of them.
Pilgrimages were the first type of tourism. Just read “Canterbury Tales”. This was not just a bunch of religious maniacs going head banging on ground glass, Monty Python style, to use Mal’s rather colorful description. It was a holiday in the literal sense it was a social trip too. So the idea of religious tourism is great.
I do not really have too much to add to both DLl and Pads views. I am slightly familiar with John Winton’s organisation, however as much as I admire their efforts, I find it lacking in ambition. What I would have in mind is creating Pilgrim ways, rather like they had in the Middle Ages. I would envisage a Way To St David’s, following the A48 through Cardiff and Carmarthen, using significant churches on the way. Then a Way To St Winifred’s Well, then Bangor.
I have some thoughts I just need some time to work out what I have in mind. However it would be more than just keeping churches open.