Beyond authenticity and commodification

Cole, Stroma

Abstract

Authenticity and commodification are central to academic debates in tourism. Previous analyses suggest that the commercialization of local identities leads to negative consequences. Based on a long-term study in Eastern Indonesia, this paper examines authenticity from three perspectives: government, tourists, and villagers. While the former two reflect views highlighted in the literature, the villagers' interpretation is different: tourism brings a sense of pride and identity and also a political resource to manipulate. Seen in this context, the debates about authenticity should examine how the notion is articulated, by whom and for what purposes, to reveal in what circumstances cultural tourism leads to positive responses and empowerment. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Oct 1, 2007
• Journal: Annals of Tourism Research
• Print ISSN: 0160-7383
• Publisher: Elsevier Masson
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 943-960
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2007.05.004
• Keywords: authenticity, commodification, Indonesia, empowerment, tourism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1024548
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2007.05.004