Theoretical Establishment of Meaningful Tourism and Exploration of its Applicability in Korea

Purpose This study examines the concept of “Meaningful Tourism,” which has gained attention as a new theoretical framework following the COVID-19 pandemic. It explores its applicability and significance within Korean society based on cultural and philosophical alignment. Methods The study compares meaningful tourism with existing paradigms such as sustainable, fair, and alternative tourism to clarify its theoretical distinctiveness. It also reviews Korea’s socio-cultural context to assess the concept’s practical relevance. Results Meaningful tourism emphasizes self-reflection, relational ethics, and value transformation, resonating with Korea’s communal values and emotional culture. It also aligns with rising tourist demand for healing and restoration, offering implications for future tourism policy and education. Conclusion Meaningful tourism represents a practical paradigm that repositions tourism as a response to existential inquiries. South Korea’s rapid industrialization and performance-oriented urban development have contributed to widespread emotional fatigue and social fragmentation. To move beyond quantitatively driven and reductionist approaches in tourism studies, Korean tourism scholarship must now foreground unquantifiable dimensions—such as emotion, ethical relations, and affective connections—through the lens of meaningful tourism, ultimately offering a renewed vision for sustainable living and collective well-being.