A Study on International Missionaries’ Perceptions of Foreign Temple Stay Experiences

Purpose This study aims to focus on the value of temple stay, which has been gaining attention as a tourism program for recharging and relaxation after COVID-19, and to provide implications for expanding the participation of foreigners in temple stay. Methods By applying Q methodology, the subjectivity of foreign temple stay experiences was specified and the characteristics of each type were analyzed. Specifically, 36 Q statements were finalized through a literature review and unstructured interviews, and 30 international missionaries who communicate with foreign participants and work nationwide were selected as P samples. Results The analysis results revealed four types of perception. Type 1 is ‘temples for contemplation and healing, healing stay preference’, which wants a quiet rest without interruption. Type 2 is ‘temples to visit again, sustainable stay strategy type’, which highly recognized the need for specialized programs for each temple. Type 3, ‘temples with monks, strengthening experience value’, emphasized the high response to meditation and tea time with monks and suggested strengthening the program operation capacity of temple administrators including the head monk. Type 4, ‘temples with alive diversity, global stay pursuit’, recognized the influence of environmental factors such as physical facilities and natural landscapes that can take into account the cultural diversity of foreign participants. Conclusion It will contribute to the external expansion of temple stay research so that it can become a representative cultural tourism product of Korea, and will serve as a foundation for strengthening the international competitiveness of the temple stay program.