Holistic tourism

Abstract

In post-modern capitalist societies, many people may have achieved higher levels of wealth and status, but they still tend to feel frustrated. Due to the resulting feelings of frustration and helplessness, they have an ever-increasing desire to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in a quest for ‘meaning’ and the ‘true self’. In response, holistic tourism as a special sub-sector of wellness tourism has recently emerged to provide them with ‘time’ and ‘space’ to reflect and reconnect with themselves and to develop their psychological well-being. Conceptualizing ‘holistic tourism’ through the lens of positive psychology, the ultimate goal of such journeys is to achieve eudaimonic well-being – a higher state of ‘flourishing’ and optimal functioning that can be facilitated through the realization of one’s unique potential. Given the increasing levels of stress, anxiety, and depression amongst Generation Y, and considering the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic as a wake-up call to focus on wellness and preventive interventions, this conceptual study takes a positive psychology approach and attempts to understand how retreat centres can meet millennials’ quests for meaningful experiences and an authentic sense of self – eudaimonic well-being.