Destination enlightenment: Branding Buddhism and spiritual tourism in Bodhgaya, Bihar

Geary, David

doi:10.1111/j.1467-8322.2008.00584.x

Cited by 38 publications

(27 citation statements)

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“…Whereas other special activities may involve relatively short-lived trends or fads, spiritual tourists tend to be those who are a more sustainable target market in the longer term (Voight et al, 2011). This is leading the resort of Arillas and its surrounding areas to be able to grow and develop a niche market that is benefiting the local community both culturally and economically through its transformational impact on the place (Geary, 2008). However, the issue of residents' well-being remains problematic when considering contested spaces such as the resort of Arillas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritual tourism on the island of Corfu: positive impacts of niche tourism versus the challenges of contested space

Skinner

Soomers²

2019

IJTA

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This paper aims to explore and explain the transformational impact of spiritual tourism on places and their residents. A qualitative case study has been undertaken on the resort of Arillas on the Greek island of Corfu, gathering data from various stakeholder groups in person and via online and social media. Spiritual tourism in Arillas has positively addressed the decline in fortunes experienced by many other resorts on Corfu but has also led to distrust and hostility among various resident groups comprising local people, expatriates, and members of the spiritual community. Implications of this research show that in such contested spaces, well-being needs to be considered not only in financial terms, but also in terms of the impact on all resident stakeholder groups of the physical and societal changes brought about by developments in spiritual tourism, with the well-being needs of any one group not taking precedence over that of others.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spiritual tourism on the island of Corfu: positive impacts of niche tourism versus the challenges of contested space

Skinner

Soomers²

2019

IJTA

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“…It is problematic that local cultures, their places, and people became "objects of desire and marketing for tourists as part of a process of control and pacification of social relations" (Evrard and Leepreecha 2009, p. 304). In this aspect, Western tourists' faith in spiritual tourism to South and Southeast Asia could be seen as an escalator for the commodification of Buddhism and other spiritual practices such as mindfulness and yoga (Christopher et al 2009;Geary 2008;McCartney 2019).…”

Section: Tourists' Faith and Consumptionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Faith Manifest: Spiritual and Mindfulness Tourism in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Choe

Regan

2020

Religions

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From books to movies, the media is now flush with spiritual and wellness tourist-related images, films, and fiction (which are primarily produced in the West) about Southeast Asia. Combined with the positive effects of spiritual practices, greater numbers of tourists are travelling to Southeast Asia for mindfulness, yoga, and other spiritual pursuits. Influenced by popular mass media coverage, such as Hollywood movies and literary bestsellers like Eat Pray Love (2006) and tourism imaginaries about particular peoples and places, spiritual tourists are visiting Southeast Asia in increasing numbers. They travel to learn about and practice mindfulness, so as to recharge their batteries, achieve spiritual fulfillment, enhance their spiritual well-being, and find a true self. However, there is a notable lack of scholarly work around the nature and outcomes of spiritual tourism in the region. Owing to its Buddhist temples, cultural heritage, religious history, infrastructure, and perceived safety, Chiang Mai in Thailand, in particular, has become a major spiritual tourism destination. Based on participant observation including informal conversations, and 10 semi-structured interviews in Chiang Mai during two summers in 2016 and 2018, our research explored why Western tourists travel to Chiang Mai to engage in mindfulness practices regardless of their religious affiliation. We explored their faith in their spiritual practice in Chiang Mai. Rather than the faith implied in religion, this faith refers to trust or confidence in something. Interestingly, none of the informants identified themselves as Buddhist even though many had practiced Buddhist mindfulness for years. They had faith that mindfulness would resolve problems, such as depression and anxiety, following life events such as divorces, deaths in family, drug abuse, or at least help free them from worries. They noted that mindfulness practices were a constructive means of dealing with negative life events. This study found that the informants sought to embed mindfulness and other spiritual practices into the fabric of their everyday life. Their faith in mindfulness led them to a destination where Buddhist heritage, history, and culture are concentrated but also consumed. Whilst discussing the preliminary findings through a critical lens, the research recommends future research pathways.

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“…As tourism often enables individuals to engage with different peoples and environments, it is a wellknown means for people to adopt sense from different cultures, as part of working towards idealised concepts of self (Geary, 2008;Sharpley & Sundaram, 2005;Singleton, 2014;Smith, 2003). Stories can be a critical part of the tourist sensemaking process (Arnould & Thompson, 2005), enabling individuals to develop coherent accounts of their experiences (Holt, 2004(Holt, , 2006, as they search for authenticity (Belk & Costa, 1998).…”

Section: Making Sense Of Ayahuasca Tourismmentioning

confidence: 99%