“This experience at Chapada dos Veadeiros transformed my life”: motivations of travelers in a spiritual quest in nature
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55028/at.v9i1.22361Keywords:
Spiritual Tourism, spirituality, mysticism, push and pull factors, Alto Paraíso de GoiásAbstract
Spiritual tourism in natural areas has become an emerging trend in the contemporary context. This study investigated the motivations of travelers seeking spiritual experiences in nature, focusing on the tourist destination Chapada dos Veadeiros. The research was conducted through fieldwork and semi-structured interviews with 10 spiritual travelers in Alto Paraíso. Data analysis was performed using the MAXQDA software, based on the "push and pull" motivation theory (Dann, 1981; Caber & Albayrak, 2016; Moyano et al., 2017). A total of 26 motivations were identified, including 17 internal and 9 external, with highlights being: well-being, peace of mind, transformation, personal growth, mental rest, self-knowledge, psychological balance, and connection with individuals who share knowledge. The main feelings and sensations experienced by the interviewees include peace, warmth, and freedom. It was concluded that spiritual travelers seek a connection with the spiritual knowledge of nature and traditional empirical knowledge, as a way of escaping the stressful urban routine. By analyzing the motivations and experiences of these tourists in Chapada dos Veadeiros, this study contributes to the scientific development of the topic, offering a deeper understanding of the dynamics and contradictions involved in spiritual tourism. In addition to highlighting travelers' internal and external motivations, the research also reveals factors that discourage their experiences. In this context, emerging challenges and criticisms are identified, providing analytical understandings into the social and cultural impacts of this practice. In the end, practices are suggested to ensure that Spiritual Tourism in Chapada dos Veadeiros is developed sustainably.
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