A Study on strategies for enhancing the connection between Templestay and nearby trails

This study explores integrating Templestay with surrounding trails to promote wellness and cultural tourism. Templestay, focused on mindfulness and emotional healing, highlights walking meditation as a key element. Using a mixed research method that combines qualitative content analysis and topic modeling of participant reviews, key themes such as ’inner reflection,‘ ’communion with nature,‘ ’emotional recovery,‘ ’social connection,‘ and ’cognitive change’ were identified. The topic modeling analysis revealed five clusters: ’healing in nature,‘ ’religious perspective,‘ ’stress relief,‘ ’communication,‘ and ’self-awareness.‘ Based on these findings, the study suggests activation strategies, including a silent walk’ program, meditation workshops with monks, a national Templestay trail, and a flower tourism-focused temple trail. This research proposes a framework for integrating wellness and cultural tourism, enhancing Templestay’s competitiveness and contributing to a sustainable healing tourism model.