Supervisors
Julia Albrecht, Anna Carr
Doctoral Research Abstract
The appropriation of yoga in different cultures (Smith, 2016) has led to the variations from its root values. “The tangible products” which have symbolic meaning are now just used as a “showpieces” in many modern yoga studios. From a tourism perspective, the yoga tourist travels to yoga destinations like Rishikesh (Hoyez, 2007) focuses majorly on the authentic representation and transferability of yoga values (Smith & Kelly, 2006). Rishikesh being a pilgrimage town has evolved into a yoga destination and spiritual marketplace (Sharma & Kumar, 2019) creating questions on the way the yoga is developed here as a tourism product. This doctoral research focuses on examining the complex product development of yoga tourism in Rishikesh as a case study exploring the experiences of yoga teachers and yoga tourists.
Education
- Post Graduate diploma (Folklore and Culture Studies), IGNOU
- Masters in Hospitality Administration (specialization in Human Resources)
- Bachelor in Hospitality and Hotel Administration, IHM PUSA, New Delhi (IGNOU + NCHMCT)
Primary Research Interests
- Yoga Tourism
- Cultural Tourism
- Destination Management
- Folklore and Mythologies
Teaching Experience
- Tutoring/grading: Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Introduction to Hospitality, University of Otago
- Assistant Professor, Tourism and Hospitality; SIHMCT & AN, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board, Government of Uttarakhand, New Tehri, Uttarakhand, India