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The fantasy of authenticity: Touring with Lacan

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  • Knudsen, Daniel C.
  • Rickly, Jillian M.
  • Vidon, Elizabeth S.

Abstract

Despite considerable research regarding the meaning of authenticity, there remains uncertainty as to the work authenticity performs in tourism. Existential authenticity conceptually shifts focus from the objects of touristic practice to a sense of Being, suggesting that authenticity can be achieved, albeit only in the liminal moments of tourism experiences. Psychoanalysis would contend otherwise—authenticity will always be beyond our reach. In a 2006 publication, Tim Oakes broaches the topic when discussing authenticity as “an abyss”. We revisit that idea, developing it further through the lens of Lacanian psychoanalysis to argue that authenticity is a fantasy. It is not an empty concept, rather, like all fantasies authenticity does important work, particularly in tourism marketing and touristic motivation and experience.

Suggested Citation

  • Knudsen, Daniel C. & Rickly, Jillian M. & Vidon, Elizabeth S., 2016. "The fantasy of authenticity: Touring with Lacan," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 33-45.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:58:y:2016:i:c:p:33-45
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2016.02.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Scott A Cohen & Stefan Gössling, 2015. "A darker side of hypermobility," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 47(8), pages 166-1679, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Huanxi Zhao, 2018. "How Can It Be More Real? A Case Study to Present the Authenticity of a Local Heritage District from the Perspective of Regional Spatial Morphology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Dawei Li & Shangyi Zhou, 2021. "Evaluating the Authenticity of Naxi Music in Three Stages from the Perspective of Naxi Musicians: An Application of Lacan’s Mirror Stage Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Vidon, Elizabeth S. & Rickly, Jillian M., 2018. "Alienation and anxiety in tourism motivation," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 65-75.
    4. Inês Gusman & Pedro Chamusca & José Fernandes & Jorge Pinto, 2019. "Culture and Tourism in Porto City Centre: Conflicts and (Im)Possible Solutions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Canavan, Brendan, 2019. "Tourism-in-literature: Existential comfort, confrontation and catastrophe in Guy De Maupassant's short stories," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1-1.
    6. Lovell, Jane & Thurgill, James, 2021. "Extending hot authentication: Imagining fantasy space," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    7. Carter, Perry Labron, 2019. "Looking for something real: Affective encounters," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 200-213.
    8. Brooks, Caitlin & Soulard, Joelle, 2022. "Contested authentication: The impact of event cancellation on transformative experiences, existential authenticity at burning man," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    9. Salet, Xavier, 2021. "The search for the truest of authenticities: Online travel stories and their depiction of the authentic in the platform economy," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    10. Rickly, Jillian M., 2022. "A review of authenticity research in tourism: Launching the Annals of Tourism Research Curated Collection on authenticity," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    11. Di Wu & Caiyun Shen & Enxu Wang & Yaoyao Hou & Jun Yang, 2019. "Impact of the Perceived Authenticity of Heritage Sites on Subjective Well-Being: A Study of the Mediating Role of Place Attachment and Satisfaction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-19, November.
    12. Tribe, John & Mkono, Muchazondida, 2017. "Not such smart tourism? The concept of e-lienation," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 105-115.
    13. Humbracht, Michael & Cohen, Scott & Williams, Allan M., 2022. "Aspirational intimacy in visiting friends and relatives," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    14. Wenwen Shang & Qing Yuan & Nan Chen, 2020. "Examining Structural Relationships among Brand Experience, Existential Authenticity, and Place Attachment in Slow Tourism Destinations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-23, April.
    15. Moore, Kevin & Buchmann, Annæ & Månsson, Maria & Fisher, David, 2021. "Authenticity in tourism theory and experience. Practically indispensable and theoretically mischievous?," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    16. Lovell, Jane & Griffin, Howard, 2022. "Unfamiliar light: the production of enchantment," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    17. Anastasiadou, Constantia & Vettese, Samantha, 2021. "Souvenir authenticity in the additive manufacturing age," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 89(C).
    18. Yongjun Su & Junjie Xu & Marios Sotiriadis & Shiwei Shen, 2021. "Authenticity, Perceived Value and Loyalty in Marine Tourism Destinations: The Case of Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-14, March.
    19. de Andrade-Matos, Mariana Bueno & Richards, Greg & de Lourdes de Azevedo Barbosa, Maria, 2022. "Rethinking authenticity through complexity paradigm," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    20. Light, Duncan & Brown, Lorraine, 2020. "Dwelling-mobility: A theory of the existential pull between home and away," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    21. Canavan, Brendan & McCamley, Claire, 2021. "Negotiating authenticity: Three modernities," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 88(C).
    22. Sang-hyoun Pahk, 2022. "Who is ruining farmers markets? Crowds, fraud, and the fantasy of “real food”," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(1), pages 19-31, March.

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