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Authenticity in tourism theory and experience. Practically indispensable and theoretically mischievous?

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  • Moore, Kevin
  • Buchmann, Annæ
  • Månsson, Maria
  • Fisher, David

Abstract

The notion of authenticity arises in tourism research in two ways: In theory, as a contentious, complicated and disputed construct; empirically, as a recurrent theme in accounts of tourist experiences of place and culture and as a quality of tourists' experiences. This duality creates tension over the utility of authenticity in research and theory. We review recent literature on authenticity within tourism scholarship –and more generally– and propose a partial resolution of this tension through demystifying the concept. We do this by highlighting its embeddedness in the activity of both research and tourism. That is, we conclude that authenticity can shed its problematic dualism by understanding how it is used in theorising and the activities of tourism.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:anture:v:89:y:2021:i:c:s0160738321000803
    DOI: 10.1016/j.annals.2021.103208
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Castéran, Herbert & Roederer, Claire, 2013. "Does authenticity really affect behavior? The case of the Strasbourg Christmas Market," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 153-163.
    2. Carter, Perry Labron, 2019. "Looking for something real: Affective encounters," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 200-213.
    3. Sarial-Abi, Gülen & Merdin-Uygur, Ezgi & Gürhan-Canli, Zeynep, 2020. "Responses to replica (vs. genuine) touristic experiences," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Vidon, Elizabeth S. & Rickly, Jillian M. & Knudsen, Daniel C., 2018. "Wilderness state of mind: Expanding authenticity," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 62-70.
    5. 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.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Jiyoung Hwang & Hyo-Yeun Park, 2021. "Hermeneutic Phenomenological Understanding of the Inner Journey of Templestay," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    3. 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).

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