Exploring cultural tourist towns: Does authenticity matter?. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Xueyan (Even); Le, Truc H.; Kwek, Anna; Wang, Ying
• Is Part Of: Tourism management perspectives. Volume 41(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Visitor-employed photography (VEP) -- Authenticity liking -- Objective authenticity -- Constructive authenticity -- Existential authenticity -- Postmodern authenticity -- Tourism design -- Townscape; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2021.100935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-9736

Abstract

Abstract: This study applies various conceptualisations of authenticity to explore to what extent tourists appreciate the authenticity of cultural tourist towns. Using the visitor-employed photography (VEP) method, this study collected visitor-employed data in two cultural tourist towns in Shanghai, China to analyse tourists' personal enjoyable aesthetic experience. Results show that tourists were not overly concerned about objective authenticity as long as they had a positive and enjoyable experience, and that some tourists experienced and favoured existential and postmodern authenticity in the tourist towns. Results highlight the importance of designing entertainment activities and iconic attractions in a strip shape to engage tourists and enhance their enjoyment. Overall, results suggest that sophisticated design characterised by interaction of four townscape factors – nature setting, emotional design, spatial configuration, and commercialised elements – can shape tourists' enjoyable authentic experience. Findings have implications for tourism and tourist attraction operators in their planning, design, conservation, and promotional efforts. Highlights: Various conceptualisations of authenticity were applied. A two-stage "visitor-employed photography (VEP) triad" approach was utilised. Designing entertainment activities and attractions in a strip shape is important. Four townscape factors shape tourists' enjoyable authentic experience. Implications to boost demand for local attractions post COVID-19 were provided.