Introduction
Event tourism is one of the most prevalent forms of tourism, attracting millions of travelers each year who participate in a wide range of events. As a result, many destinations—both national and local—actively seek to host events and festivals to boost tourism. Local events and festivals play a significant role in tourism development, particularly in rural areas, where they can draw large numbers of visitors. In response, many rural communities leverage these events to preserve their customs, traditions, and cultural heritage, ensuring that younger generations remain connected to their ancestral rituals and practices. Among the various types of events, religious and ritual gatherings hold special significance, particularly in rural areas, where cultural and religious traditions are deeply rooted. In addition to attracting general tourists, these events often bring back rural migrants—individuals who have relocated to other regions but return to their hometowns to participate in religious or ritual occasions. Such events provide migrants with an opportunity to reconnect with their community and homeland. The unique characteristics of rural life—including tranquility, independence, and strong community bonds—combined with migrants’ desire to reconnect with their ancestral land, family, friends, and neighbors, play a crucial role in encouraging their participation in these events. Organizing social and cultural events not only fosters community engagement but also strengthens individuals’ sense of place attachment and belonging. In rural areas with strong religious traditions, such gatherings further reinforce shared cultural and social ties. Neyshabur and Zebarkhan counties, known for their rich cultural and religious heritage, serve as major hubs for religious and ritual events, drawing large crowds from surrounding urban areas each year. Many rural migrants residing in cities view these events as an opportunity to maintain their social connections with their roots and ancestral homeland, prompting them to return for these occasions. Given this context, the present study aims to explore the impact of religious and ritual tourism events on the social ties of rural migrants. Specifically, it seeks to answer the following research question:

To what extent do religious and ritual tourism events influence the social ties of rural migrants with their hometowns?

 
Method
This study is applied in terms of its objective and follows a descriptive-analytical approach in terms of its nature and methodology. Data were collected using both library research and survey methods. A questionnaire was designed based on social ties indices of migrants and variables derived from the theoretical literature. It was then distributed among rural-rooted tourists in six villages of Neyshabur County: Barzanon, Abdullah Giv, Yingje, Fadisheh, Darbesh, and Dizbad Alya. These villages host religious events such as Tasu'a, Ashura, traditional dramatic performances (Shabihkhani), and flag processions (Alam-gardani), which attract many tourists, including rural migrants, each year. The study's statistical population consisted of rural migrant tourists. Since official statistics were unavailable, a sampling formula for an unknown population was applied. A total of 96 rural-rooted tourists were selected as the sample, with 16 respondents from each village. To ensure the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated, yielding a value of 0.92, which indicates a high level of reliability. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software, employing both descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, frequency percentage, chi-square) and inferential statistics (normality test, one-sample t-test, analysis of variance, Friedman test, and paired-sample t-test).
 
Findings and Conclusion
This study examined the effects of religious tourism events on the social ties of rural migrants using 24 indicators. Among them, the "visiting relatives" indicator had the highest average score (3.27), while the "return to the village" indicator had the lowest (1.90). The results indicate that the distribution of these indicators is not uniform across the statistical population, and most social variables are significant and relevant to the entire population. Indicators such as visiting relatives, increased interest in one’s birthplace, and the intention to revisit scored above the overall mean (2.53), whereas other indicators fell below this threshold. Overall, the study found that social ties in the villages are moderately strong, and religious ceremonies hold significant value for migrants. A one-sample t-test was conducted to analyze social ties in the studied villages. While the hypothetical mean was set at 3, the average for all variables was below this value. The significance level of 0.01 confirmed that social ties have a meaningful impact on tourists and migrants, with the "improvement in mental quality of life" indicator having the greatest effect (mean = 2.72). To assess variations in social ties among rural migrants across different villages, a one-way ANOVA test was used. The results showed a significance level below 0.05, indicating that religious tourism events significantly influence migrants' social ties with their birthplace. The study highlights that events such as Tasu'a and Ashura play a crucial role in reinforcing these ties.
Descriptive findings suggest that the primary travel motivations are pilgrimage and visiting relatives, underscoring the cultural and social significance of these events. Statistical analysis further shows that indicators such as visiting relatives, increased interest in the birthplace, participation in village development, and promoting the event to others have the strongest impact on social ties. Conversely, indicators such as returning to the village and investing in rural areas had the least effect. The significance of the chi-square test confirms that these events have a widespread social impact, making their effects generalizable to the broader population. Among the studied villages, Darbesh recorded the highest mean score for social ties, while Yingje had the lowest. The findings reinforce that religious tourism events serve as powerful catalysts for strengthening social bonds. Key indicators, including visiting relatives, a heightened sense of belonging, and community engagement, emerged as the most influential in reinforcing social connections. Beyond their religious significance, these events foster social interaction, strengthen local identity, and encourage migrants' participation in rural development.
Additionally, statistical analysis revealed that some indicators, such as mutual trust and the uniqueness of the event, had a uniform distribution among respondents, suggesting varying perceptions of their importance. This variability may stem from individual and social differences in how these events are experienced. In conclusion, the findings highlight the vital role of religious events in enhancing social capital, fostering interactions, and improving migrants' quality of life. To maximize the benefits of these events, comprehensive planning and strategic efforts should be undertaken to further strengthen their social impact.