When the templestay program was first conceived, it was around the time when Korea co-hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup with Japan as a way of providing affordable accommodation to foreign visitors.
But more importantly, Korea wanted to improve its cultural image in the international community through providing a close experience into the world of Korean Buddhism.
Heading into its 10th year, the program has emerged as one of the nation’s most successful tourism activities.
At the time of the program’s inception, only 33 temples participated. Now, there are 118 temples around the nation that host templestay visitors, according to the Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism, an affiliate of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.
Last year, 20,000 foreign visitors were registered in the program. Since 2002, a total of 500,000 people have completed a templestay.
Now, Korea is about to host another major global sporting event that is expected to generate numerous templestay visitors...
Read more from the Korea Times here.
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