Religious processions and their role in pilgrimage and religious tourism development (through the example of Tver region)

Regional tourism development, improving the image of local tourist attractions and regional brands belong to strategic goals of the modern economic reality. Religious and pilgrimage tourism plays significant role in this direction. The article is focused on tourist and pilgrimage awareness using the example of Tver region. The article considers diverse viewpoints on pilgrimage and go-and-see visits to holy sites. It provides detailed study of formation process of Orthodox religious processions and their modern image as cultural identity phenomena, including influence on historical, cultural and spiritual potential of Upper Volga region. The detailed investigation of the role of cognitive and religious factors in attraction of prospective tourists and pilgrims is a part of this article. Tourists lodging and accommodation are taken into consideration as a solid argument to interest visitors from other regions of our country and abroad. The article contains an evaluation of tourist infrastructure (hotels, hostels, guest houses, etc...