Los ritos de sanación espiritual y el turismo de bienestar, caso de estudio: cantón Ambato.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the integration of spiritual healing rituals into the wellness tourism offerings of the Ambato canton, a crucial effort that highlights their importance as an essential part of the local intangible cultural heritage and a vehicle for promoting relaxation, emotional harmony, and connection with the natural environment. The methodology applied was qualitative, based on the rigorous application of instruments such as INPC forms and a checklist for documenting practices. The results revealed a wide diversity of healing rites such as reiki, Tibetan bowls, energy cleansing, and ritual massages that integrate ancestral knowledge and contemporary techniques and structure a worldview of balance. The analysis of interactions demonstrated the high potential of these practices to become experiential tourism experiences that promote holistic well-being and spiritual connection, leading to the creation of the product “Rituals of the Soul: Spiritual Tourism and Conscious Well-being in the Heart of Ambato.” In conclusion, the canton of Ambato has the optimal conditions to position itself as an emerging wellness tourism destination by sustainably and consciously integrating spiritual healing practices with its existing cultural and heritage offerings, revaluing its identity and boosting the local economy through a tourism experience geared toward personal transformation.