Consuming the authentic Gettysburg: How a tourist landscape becomes an authentic experience

Abstract

While authenticity pervades everyday consumption in museums, restaurants, theme parks, gift shops, and heritage attractions, among other commercial milieus, academic work on the concept of authenticity remains vague both in terms of its definition and its marketing relevance. In this study, we unpack the concept of authenticity in a Civil War battlefield and we provide insight as to its theoretical relevance for consumption. Our findings elucidate the distinction between authenticity as a product feature and authenticity as an experience. We show that consumer perceptions of a site's authenticity are articulated in five distinct ways: object related, factual, locational, personage, and contextual. We also point out the contribution of each notion of perceived authenticity in sparking consumer imagination and connecting them with the Civil War narrative. We suggest avenues that marketing managers can use to stage authenticity in a commercial environments at both substantive communicative levels. Our study reveals consumers as active agents who participate in the marketplace construction of authenticity in multiple ways. It is also shown that authenticity partakes in the construction of a national imaginary as a negotiated, collective act. We also provide insight as to the distinction between ''authentic'' and ''inauthentic'' commercial sites and the way in which even fictitious sites can be perceived as authentic.

What is the tourist landscape? Aspects and features of the concept

“…Chronis and Hampton 2008;Fyhri 2009;Chrenka and Ira 2011;Kulczyk 2013;Xiaobo 2010). However some of the authors did define the term »tourist landscape« in their works.…”

A Study on Tourists Perceived Authenticity towards Experience Quality and Behavior Intention of Cultural Heritage in Macao

“…In the existing literature, only a few studies could be identified which examined perceived authenticity in a tourism context, but these studies have focused on arts and crafts (Chang, Wall, & Chang, 2008;Revilla & Dodd, 2003), historic parks (Chronis & Hampton, 2006;Chronis & Hampton, 2008), heritage sites (Kolar & Zabkar, 2007;Kolar & Zabkar, 2010) and festival events (Chhabra, Healy, & Sills, 2003). The importance of authenticity has been demonstrated.…”

Home garden of local community in Pancasila Village for Biodiversity conservation and ecotourism sites development in Tambora Geopark, Sumbawa Island

“…Floristic data shows that there should effort to increase tropical species number, minimize species beyond the tropical area, and eradicate potential invasive plants species. The authentic eco-accommodation in a rural area ideally should be able to present the authentic landscapes [24,25]. Therefore, increasing and strengthening tropical images through the introduction and preservation of native tropical countries is important.…”