Explaining the Satisfaction of the Religious Tourist: The Case of Maimonides in the City of Cordoba

Abstract

Tourism was one of the most severely affected sectors by the Covid-19 pandemic. Even religious tourism, traditionally less susceptible to market fluctuations, is now compelled to adopt innovative strategies in response to these effects. This article analyses the satisfaction of religious tourism, specifically its relationship with the figure of Maimonides, who is considered to be an important religious thinker and is included within the Pantheon database of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). A questionnaire was distributed and completed by 720 tourists in the city of Cordoba, Spain, which has close links to Maimonides. The findings indicated that the spirituality and religiosity of tourists positively influence trip expectations and motivation, contributing to overall satisfaction with the visit. However, it was observed that higher expectations from tourists corresponded to a lower perceived value and satisfaction derived from the experience. The study employed a structural equation modelling (SEM) framework. This analysis contributes to understanding religious tourism in the post-pandemic era, offering insights valuable to institutions and stakeholders.