Visitors' perceived trust in sincere, authentic, and memorable heritage experiences. Issue 9 (26th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taheri, Babak; Gannon, Martin Joseph; Kesgin, Muhammet
• Is Part Of: Service industries journal. Volume 40:Issue 9/10(2020)
• Page Start: 705
• Page End: 725
• Publication Date: 2020-07-26
• Subjects: Perceived trust -- sincerity -- authenticity -- memorable tourism experiences -- cultural heritage -- Iran; 感知信任 -- 誠意 -- 真實性 -- 難忘的旅遊經驗 -- 文化遺產 -- 伊朗; Service industries -- Periodicals; Service industries -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 338.4
• DOI: 10.1080/02642069.2019.1642877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2069

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The success of cultural destinations often centres on whether consumers trust the provenance and integrity of the heritage assets, activities, and services therein. However, few studies examine whether this 'perceived trust' influences the authenticity, sincerity, and memorability of cultural heritage consumption. To investigate the relationships between these constructs, we surveyed 320 visitors to Iranian cultural heritage sites. The findings suggest that perceived trust positively influences visitors' perceptions of sincerity, existential authenticity, and object-based authenticity, stimulating memorable experiences in the process. This, in turn, emphasises the antecedent importance of perceived trust in shaping consumption. In the face of increasing commercialisation within the cultural heritage sector more generally, we therefore encourage practitioners to prioritise safeguarding the integrity of their offerings, promoting heritage assets in a manner that stimulates perceived trust.