Inner tourism: A preliminary proposal

Abstract

In contemporary society, characterised by uncertainty, psychological pressure, social acceleration, and crises of meaning, tourism is increasingly moving beyond its recreational function to become a space for restoration, self-awareness, and inner reconnection. Drawing on secondary literature review and conceptual analysis, this article engages with related research streams, including mindful tourism, healing tourism, wellness tourism, transformative tourism, positive psychology, and existential authenticity. It proposes the concept of inner tourism, comprising six components: self-awareness, mindfulness, exploration of life values, healing and restoration, meaning-making, and self-transcendence and intersubjective connectedness. This is a new theoretical approach to explain the ongoing shift from outward-oriented travel and experiential consumption towards journeys that enable individuals to listen to themselves, recognise their emotional states, reconstruct their life values, and seek psychological balance. In doing so, the article broadens the understanding of tourism as a humanistic time-space for self-reflection, meaning-based wellbeing, and personal growth. The proposed components, practical techniques, and operational mechanisms demonstrate the potential of this approach for application in product development, destination design, and mental healthcare.