The Model and Process of Making Public Consciousness for Sustainable Buddhist Tourism Management

Abstract

This study of “The Model and Process of Making Public Consciousness for
Sustainable Buddhist Tourism Management” aimed to: 1) to explore the patterns and
processes of Buddhist tourism management in the Northeast to instill public consciousness
among tourists, 2) to investigate the components in the processes of developing
public consciousness through tourism activities related to Buddhism and culture, and 3)
to propose measures for Buddhist tourism management to promote public
consciousness among tourists in a sustainable manner. The research used both quantitative and
qualitative research methodologies. In terms of quantitative research, four hundred
questionnaires were given to the ecclesiastical monks and the monks responsible for
Buddhist and cultural tourism management in the Northeast to obtain information
regarding the components in the processes of developing public consciousness. In
terms of qualitative research, the ecclesiastical monks, academic monks, provincial
cultural authorities and representatives from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports
working in the northeastern area totaled 30 and were interviewed to obtain information
concerning the patterns and the processes of Buddhist tourism management including
the sustainable development of public consciousness through tourism activities related
to Buddhism among tourists.
The following three aspects were found: First, there were three patterns and
processes of Buddhist tourism management to promote public consciousness among
tourists in the Northeast: 1) those organized by the private sector, 2) those organized 
by operators of Buddhist and cultural tourist attractions and 3) those organized by
volunteers. Second, there were four components in the processes of developing public
consciousness through activities related to Buddhism and culture: 1) development of
location, 2) working network, 3) tourist activities, 4) leaders’ vision and 5) promoted
public consciousness value by Buddhist tourism activities. And third, the measures for
developing activities that raise awareness of public consciousness were the promotion
of activities concerning local tradition, the development of public communication
media and the development of a community tourism network.