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

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  • Wang, Shaohua
  • Blasco, Dani
  • Hamzah, Amran
  • Verschuuren, Bas

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Shaohua & Blasco, Dani & Hamzah, Amran & Verschuuren, Bas, 2023. "Tourists and ‘philosophers’: Nature as a medium to consciousness and transcendence in spiritual tourism," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:99:y:2023:i:c:s0160738323000166
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2023.103543
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    References listed on IDEAS

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