Abstract:
This research stems from an interest in spiritual retreat tourism in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The retreat experiences analysed are those of social workshops, not solo retreats. The research questions concern why people go to spiritual retreat sites, what they gain from their experiences and how this relates to literature concerned with tourism and society. This is qualitative ethnographic case study research. The fieldwork was carried out at two case study retreat centres in the North Island of New Zealand, Mana and Aio Wira retreats. Data was collected from interviews with trustees, a manager, workshop facilitators, and retreat-goers at the two sites. These interviews included the use of visuals which have been analysed, alongside other photographic depictions of the retreat centres, through a semiotic approach. This study found four prevailing themes which represent the most important aspects of spiritual retreat tourism for those involved. These themes are: Community, Escape, Landscape, and Spirituality. The key aspects of spiritual retreat tourism at the two case study sites in this research are discussed at length to make up the chapters of this thesis. Spiritual retreat tourism is a holistic form of tourism so keeping in line with this the research data is integrated into discussions. It must be noted that the themes relate to one another encapsulating the whole wellness experience of going on a spiritual retreat.