2007. aastal tunnistas UNWTO vaimse turismi kõige kiiremini kasvavaks turismi segmendiks. Vaimne turism põhineb mitmesugustel motiividel – traditsioonilisest religioossest turismist kuni alternatiivmeditsiini ja loomuliku sügava keelekümbluse vormideni.
The term spiritual tourism has often been usedinterchangeably with other forms of tourism, especiallyreligious tourism, Yoga tourism, and wellness tourism.However, there are considerable differences betweenspiritual and religious tourism regarding tourist profiles,motivations, behaviours, and activities.