Spiritual tourism as a tool for sustainability: A case study of Nakhon Phanom province, Thailand

Abstract

© International Journal of Religious Tourism and Pilgrimage In the past decade, the number of spiritual tourists in Asia and across the world has rapidly increased, impacting the environment and community lifestyles. This study aimed to develop a practical process of participative education and sustainable tourism activities in the form of spiritual tourism. This involved deploying the concepts of environmental education, community participation, and Buddhist Dharma in an integrated manner. The objectives of the study were: (1) to study the potential for spiritual tourism of destinations in Nakhon Phanom province, (2) to synthesise a spiritual tourism pilot tour project, and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot tour project in terms of key environmental education objectives. The results of the project demonstrated that participants gained new knowledge, awareness, attitudes, and participation regarding environmental concerns.