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Tourists and 'philosophers': Nature as a medium to consciousness and transcendence in spiritual tourism

Wang, Shaohua and Blasco, Dani and Hamzah, Amran and Bas Verschuuren, Bas Verschuuren (2023) Tourists and 'philosophers': Nature as a medium to consciousness and transcendence in spiritual tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 99 (NA). pp. 1-13. ISSN 0160-7383

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2023.103543

Abstract

Nature is a vital context for transcendent experiences fostering the spiritual dimensions of humankind. Analysing data from protected areas in China, this paper investigates the ways in which spirituality permeates nature-based tourism. A thematic analysis was undertaken to interpret 27 semi-structured in-depth interviews with professionals and tourists. Findings enable the construction of a hierarchical framework of spiritual tourism achievement and highlight the need to create links between protected areas, tourists, and ‘mediums’. Nature is acknowledged as a means of overcoming spiritual emptiness in a secular nation where religions function in a limited way and traditional wisdom is undervalued. This study proposes a nature-based, philosophy-oriented tourism development model, which sheds light on theoretical and industrial domains alike.

Item Type:Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:Ancient philosophy, China, Nature, Protected area, Spiritual tourism
Subjects:G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > G Geography (General) > G154.9-155.8 Travel and state. Tourism
Divisions:Built Environment
ID Code:105026
Deposited By: Widya Wahid
Deposited On:01 Apr 2024 07:51
Last Modified:01 Apr 2024 07:51

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