Overview of Korea s Wonhyo Pilgrimage Trail

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1 Overview of Korea s Wonhyo Pilgrimage Trail 2016 Sustainable & Smart Tourism Forum October 11th, 2016 by Professor David A. Mason International Hotel & Tourism Management, Sejong University, Seoul

2 Wonhyo s Self-Enlightenment

6 Original Idea and Main Developer: Mr. Tony Macgregor

7 Launch of the Prototype Trek Gyeongju City, December 4th, 2555

8 inthefootstepsofwonhyo.com/

10 Mt. Cheongnyang-san 淸涼山 in Hapju 陜州, now Bonghwa-gun County just north of Andong City

11 IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF WONHYO Promoting the development of a sustainable, eco-friendly pilgrimage trail across Korea June 2016 inthefootstepsofwonhyo.com inthefootstepsofwonhyo@gmail.com

In the Footsteps of Wonhyo Background The idea of the project was raised in 2007 by a

All of them were interested in Korean Buddhism as a way of achieving personal

12 In the Footsteps of Wonhyo Background The idea of the project was raised in 2007 by a group of foreigners living in Korea. All of them were interested in Korean Buddhism as a way of achieving personal development and they wanted to learn more about famous Korea Buddhist monk Wonhyo who lived in Korea in the 7th century. Hence they started to do research on the journey followed by Wonhyo from Korea to China in order to study Buddhism. The journey started in Gyeongju and lead him to an area near present-day Dangjin where he experienced enlightenment and decided to end his trip and stay in Korea to teach and study. A monk leaves his hermitage in the mountains surrounding Gyeongju, Wonhyo s birthplace.

As a matter of fact, few people are aware of the exact itinerary of the journey that

footsteps of Wonhyo in order to offer Koreans and foreign visitors to Korea, an

landscapes, while visiting Buddhist temples and hiking in the mountains.

13 As a matter of fact, few people are aware of the exact itinerary of the journey that Wonhyo took and, from our research, no one has had the idea to make a pilgrimage trail so far. Thus this group of friends decided to design a pilgrimage trail that would follow in the footsteps of Wonhyo in order to offer Koreans and foreign visitors to Korea, an opportunity to be inspired by this journey and to discover the beauty of Korean landscapes, while visiting Buddhist temples and hiking in the mountains. Finally, they thought that Korea could benefit from the growing worldwide trend for pilgrimage and tourism journeys to spiritual shrines or places. Lotus tea is served at a temple in Gyeongsangbuk province.

Context The world is actually experiencing a surge in

religious road from the French/Spanish border to Santiago

Other religions are experiencing similar numbers of

questions by spending days, weeks or months walking to

On the other hand, spiritual, wellness and eco tourism is

Similarly there is a world trend to seek out activities

14 Context The world is actually experiencing a surge in pilgrimages in all major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity and Islam. An estimated 211,026 pilgrims flocked along the ancient religious road from the French/Spanish border to Santiago in Other religions are experiencing similar numbers of spiritually motivated pilgrims who seek answers to life s questions by spending days, weeks or months walking to sites that are sacred and meaningful to them. On the other hand, spiritual, wellness and eco tourism is an emerging market globally. Similarly there is a world trend to seek out activities that help an individual grow, be healthier, to experience freedom and nature to reconnect with family. Wonhyo pilgrim Tony Macgregor is silhouetted in the archway of a historic Korean gate.

Tony Macgregor sets out on day three of the

Objectives The overall objective of this In

and operate a genuine and modern pilgrimage

offer, raising a new interest in the country

15 Tony Macgregor sets out on day three of the Wonhyo Pilgrimage, Gyeongsangbuk province. Objectives The overall objective of this In the Footsteps of Wonhyo project is to build and operate a genuine and modern pilgrimage offering in Korea as a flagship tourism offer, raising a new interest in the country and its involvement in the worldwide pilgrimage trend.

Regarding tourism in Korea, the objectives of the project are therefore the

abroad; To generate longer stays in Korea since the pilgrimage trails would last

of side activities; To extend the tourism season since the trails would be

pilgrimage travelers being motivated by different needs and expectations.

16 Regarding tourism in Korea, the objectives of the project are therefore the following: To attract visitors from existing and new markets, in Korea and abroad; To generate longer stays in Korea since the pilgrimage trails would last at least 15 days; To increase the expenditure of each visitor by offering a range of side activities; To extend the tourism season since the trails would be designed to match all seasons; To attract niche / special interest tourists, pilgrimage travelers being motivated by different needs and expectations. A monk stands in front of Wonhyo s cave, the final destination of the pilgrimage In Seosan City, near Dangjin.

These objectives will be reached through the

Widening the range of tourist experience things to do

appeal to markets; Interpreting and presenting the

a range of market acceptable guest accommodation.

17 These objectives will be reached through the implementation of a number of specific concepts: Widening the range of tourist experience things to do and see ; Creating new reasons to visit which will appeal to markets; Interpreting and presenting the natural and manmade heritage of the area and; Providing a range of market acceptable guest accommodation. Sangmin Sunim, a participant in the first Wonhyo pilgrimage, crosses a stream at Madok Temple.

Finally, the outcomes of the projects are the following: To encourage spiritual development and peace of mind for

teaching through newspaper articles, radio and TV stories and interviews; To introduce to Korea the idea of walking

design a trail package in Korea as a flagship tourism offer of Korea; To support sustainable tourism and promote

ecosystems; Rooftops of a Korean temple reflect the mountain landscape of the Korean countryside, Gyeongsangbuk

18 Finally, the outcomes of the projects are the following: To encourage spiritual development and peace of mind for everybody by establishing and promoting a pilgrimage route to honor Master Wonhyo; To spread knowledge of Wonhyo s teaching through newspaper articles, radio and TV stories and interviews; To introduce to Korea the idea of walking pilgrimages in which the pilgrims learn about themselves through the journey itself; To design a methodology to design a trail package in Korea as a flagship tourism offer of Korea; To support sustainable tourism and promote environmental awareness; To conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity and ecosystems; Rooftops of a Korean temple reflect the mountain landscape of the Korean countryside, Gyeongsangbuk province. To improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities by supporting their local economies and the human and natural environment

Press Foreigners Plan Footsteps of Wonhyo Project Korea Times on

Munhwa, Monthly Journal of Buddhist Culture KBS INTERVIEW Radio

pilgrimage across nation Korea Times on December 6, 2011 Walking in the

Expats carve paths for Wonhyo Project Korea JoongAng Daily on January

19 Press Foreigners Plan Footsteps of Wonhyo Project Korea Times on January 13, 2009 The Wonhyo Trail Project February 2009 Issue of Bulgyo Munhwa, Monthly Journal of Buddhist Culture KBS INTERVIEW Radio interview in Seoul on November 29, 2011 Expats undertake Buddhist pilgrimage across nation Korea Times on December 6, 2011 Walking in the footsteps of Korea's most beloved monk Yonhap on December 23, 2011 Expats carve paths for Wonhyo Project Korea JoongAng Daily on January 10, 2012 A Buddhist shrine is found amongst the mountains surrounding Gyeongsangbuk province.

Phase 1: Assessment ESTIMATED COST: $50,000 Business report Detailed feasibility study

ACTIVITIES ESTIMATED COST: TBD Engineering & Construction Define project governance

generation Website & App development Guidebook PRIMARY OUTCOMES Approval of trail

by local and provincial governments and relevant government ministries Design &

and contract delivery EXPECTED TIMEFRAME ONE+ YEARS (2014 2016) TWO+ YEARS (2016 2018)

20 Phase 1: Assessment ESTIMATED COST: $50,000 Business report Detailed feasibility study Federal, provincial & local government funding application Phase 2: Design MAIN ACTIVITIES ESTIMATED COST: TBD Engineering & Construction Define project governance Phase 3: Implementation ESTIMATED COST: TBD Global Branding & Marketing Interest generation Website & App development Guidebook PRIMARY OUTCOMES Approval of trail Development of technical reports Extensive public and private consultation Endorsement by local and provincial governments and relevant government ministries Design & Engineering Implementation and construction of approved project Partnerships Milestone and contract delivery EXPECTED TIMEFRAME ONE+ YEARS ( ) TWO+ YEARS ( ) Deep in the heart of the mountains, one of Korea s most treasured temples, Cheongryang-sa. ONE+ YEARS ( )

LUMBINI, NEPAL: The Birthplace of Lord Buddha World Heritage Property Report on the state of conservation of the property.

LUMBINI, NEPAL: The Birthplace of Lord Buddha World Heritage Property Report on the state of conservation of the property 1 February 2019 Government of Nepal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation