Martial Arts Tourism of the “Europe—Far East” Direction, in the Opinion of Grand Masters

Abel A. Figueiredo, Wiesław Błach, Zbigniew Bujak, Roland J. Maroteaux and Wojciech J. Cynarski
Additional contact information
Abel A. Figueiredo: Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, School of Education, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
Wiesław Błach: Department of Sport, University School of Physical Education, 51-612 Wrocław, Poland
Zbigniew Bujak: Faculty of Physical Education and Health in Biała Podlaska, Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, 21-500 Biała Podlaska, Poland
Roland J. Maroteaux: Union Nationaled’Aïki-jujutsu& Disciplines Associées, 49400 Avignon, France
Wojciech J. Cynarski: Institute of Physical Culture Studies, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-310 Rzeszow, Poland

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 21, 1-16

Abstract: Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special recognition; particularly important is knowledge about martial arts. The sources of this practical knowledge are especially high-ranking masters. The scientific problem raised here involves the issue of high-ranking martial arts teachers taking trips for their own studies (to acquire knowledge and skills) and teaching others. Some of the questions addressed include how often the trips occur (single, sporadic, or multiple, regular), what their effects are, and what their meaning is—in the opinion of these experts. The “Martial Arts Tourism” questionnaire was addressed to N = 12 people, masters/teachers of high-rank in martial arts (level 7–10 dan/toan) who live and teach in Europe and the USA, but come from Europe. They are the holders of the highest degrees in Chinese, Japanese and Korean styles. Further questions were asked through direct correspondence. The collected statements were usedby means of qualitative analysis—as in the method of ‘expert courts’/’competent judges’. The respondents in most cases undertook trips from Europe to East Asia for their own learning. They teach themselves mainly in their own countries and in Europe. Stays rarely lasted over two weeks. The respondents are convinced of the legitimacy of this type of trip, and believe that the trips are very helpful on the way to mastery. None of the respondents mentioned the material forms of cultural heritage pertaining to martial arts as motives for the trips. Therefore, the ability to visit historic places is a marginal concern. The trips were directly linked to a career path and self-improvement in martial arts, learning or teaching.

Keywords: tourism; martial arts; combat sports; way to mastery; grand master (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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