Understanding Chinese Tourists’ Motivations for Visiting Buddhism-Related Attractions in Phuket, Thailand
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Abstract
Buddhist temples are symbols of Thai cultural identity that attract many domestic and international visitors, but studies of visitors' motivations for visiting Buddhism-related attractions are very rare. This study focuses on Chinese tourists visiting Buddhism-related attractions in Phuket and examines their travel motivations by using push-and-pull factors as a theoretical framework. The findings revealed that cultural motives were perceived as more significant factors than the other four push factors (religion and spirit, novelty, leisure, and family). In contrast, “Theravada Buddhism culture” and “history of Theravada Buddhism” were the most attractive pull factors that influenced Chinese tourists.
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