Yoga wellness tourism: a study of marketing strategies in India
ISSN: 0736-3761
Article publication date: 18 July 2019
Issue publication date: 9 September 2019
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine marketing strategies that India is currently applying to promote itself as a competitive yoga destination.
Design/methodology/approach
The methodological approach consisted of a constructivist research paradigm, a qualitative methodology and an interview-based data collection method. Ten in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with yoga practitioners from various backgrounds and yoga levels who have travelled to India for yoga tourism purposes.
Findings
The findings determined that interpretation of yoga tourism is crucial in the choice of marketing approach adopted by destinations offering yoga retreats because, as the study has shown, various perceptions of yoga constitute the basis for particular promotional strategies.
Research limitations/implications
Future research could expand on the sample size and demographics of the current study by investigating, possibly through comparative means, larger groups of more diversified yoga practitioners from different countries or backgrounds.
Practical implications
It was recommended that India’s tourism marketers re-design their approach concerning an ‘authentic’ yoga experience. Indian destination marketing organisations should target those searching for an authentic yoga experience and use imagery that is realistic.
Originality/value
The findings of this study have led to the re-positioning of yoga tourism in India, utilising a unique combinative approach in which a more inclusive concept of wellness is juxtaposed against a lack of any religious referencing. It was also revealed that the motivations of yoga tourists are only partially targeted through an undifferentiated strategic marketing approach.
Keywords
Citation
Telej, E. and Gamble, J.R. (2019), "Yoga wellness tourism: a study of marketing strategies in India", Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 36 No. 6, pp. 794-805. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-07-2018-2788
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited