KOMUNIKASI INTERPRETATIF RUANG SAKRAL DALAM PEMAKNAAN GENERASI Z TERHADAP ISYARAT DESTINASI WISATA HINDU

Abstract

Hindu temples, as living places of worship and religious tourism destinations, require interpretive communication that enables visitors to understand sacredness without disrupting rituals or reducing them to tourism commodities. This study aims to examine how Generation Z interprets sacred spatial and ritual cues and to formulate an interpretive communication framework that prioritises sacredness and ritual order. This exploratory qualitative study analysed 91 written post-visit reflection narratives from Generation Z visitors across six sacred sites in Lombok using reflexive thematic analysis, informed by heritage interpretation, servicescape, and Tri Hita Karana perspectives. The findings show that water, trees, incense, prayer, architecture, and a quiet atmosphere are received as sacred cues that shift visitors’ orientation from routine fatigue toward reflective presence, stimulate context-dependent self-reflection, and resonate with respect for social tolerance and environmental sustainability. The findings also indicate that post-visit tranquillity does not automatically lead to lasting behavioural change; therefore, temples should not be promoted as spaces for instant healing. This study proposes a reception-based sacred interpretive communication framework linking spatial and ritual cues, Generation Z’s sensory-reflective reception, ethical-spiritual meaning-making, the legitimacy of pengempon as temple custodians, quiet interpretive media, and the protection of ritual solemnity. This framework extends the application of heritage interpretation and servicescape to temples as living sacred heritage by positioning sacredness, customary authority, and visitor ethics as the primary boundaries of destination communication.