Meditation retreat tourism in Thailand: ITS emergence in Tourism and effects on tourists’ health and well-being

Abstract

Meditation retreat tourism is quite unique. The challenges in its technique, process and the benefits gained are reported to be worth the effort in reconciling the mind, body and spirit. Accordingly, this study examined the emergence and commodification of meditation retreat tourism and explored the effects on health and well-being of international meditation tourists in Thailand. A literature review and 33 on-site interviews were employed for data collection at international meditation centres. Results confirmed the existence of both direct and indirect establishments of commodifying the meditation retreat: 1) present at wellness and retreat resorts with numerous retreat packages that aided in the work of transmitting meditation as a commodity and 2) a traditional establishment at the monasteries that still embraced meditation far from commodification. Regarding the effects on health and well-being, international tourists perceived that the mind had been developed the most (mental well-being), followed by spiritual and physiological well-being. Results confirmed that the mind remained the key benefits as the focus of practicing meditation. Possessing a mind that is well-cultivated and powerful is believed to allow the individual to deal with any problems they face in everyday life. This proposition can be seen as the mind being reflected in the body and spirit. Further discussion was established to support the results.