Original scientific paper

Spiritual well-being through vacations: Exploring the travel motives of the young Christian travellers

Beifei Li ; Tourism Marketing, China Travel Service Head Office, Beijing, China
Outi Niininen ; Department of Management and Marketing, School of Business, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia
Kerry Jacobs ; Department of Accounting, School of Business, LaTrobe University, Bundoora, Australia

Abstract

This study focuses on UK based young Christian tourists and their religious travel behaviour. Through focus group research it was established that religious travel motives are changing from a religious perspective to a holistic spiritual one. The key motivations for these journeys could be featured around Self, the Other (i.e. interaction with local community, people and the nature) and God. Moreover, demand for more complex religious travel opportunities was evident and future religious holiday packages should be packaged to involve educational improvement (i.e. learning something new through contact with other cultures and people), relationship development (i.e. communication with other travel party members, local people or tour guides) or spiritual renewal (through the beauty of nature, people and new cultures).

Keywords

religious travel; travel motivation; modern pilgrimage; young Christians

Hrčak ID:

161472

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/161472

Publication date:

8.9.2006.

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