If I say you’re authentic, then you’re authentic: Power and privilege revealed in travel blogs

Abstract

A leitmotif in scholarship on travel texts has been themes of power and privilege. It is not clear, however, whether the more populist, egalitarian and non-elitist form of travel media, travel blogs, fits into this pattern. This article considers the role of power in how bloggers press authenticity into service as a marker of value in travel. It argues that they use authenticity to place themselves in a position of privilege and power over the local people they interact with. It identifies three forms of traveller authenticity – experience, existence and expectation – as a framework to study structures of power, privilege and dominance implicit in travel as revealed by its use in travel blogs. These forms of authenticity all demonstrate the traveller’s positioning of the self at the centre of the gaze on others. This has application for future theorising on the label of ‘authenticity’ as a tool of power.

In the travel bloggers’ wonderland: mechanisms of the blogger – follower relationship in tourism and hospitality management – a systematic literature review

“…It is considered by most of the contributions analyzed to be a key and, for some, also strategic factor in ensuring the relationship with readers and advertisers (Duffy, 2019; Wang, 2011). The authenticity of travel bloggers, which derives from the impossibility of denying the experience of the travel bloggers or of contesting their veracity, is considered an indicator of socially constructed value (Duffy, 2019). It gives prestige to the figure of the travel blogger, forms their identity and guarantees the reliability of the information for their readers.…”

“…Authenticity is one of the aspects most dealt with in the literature. It is considered by most of the contributions analyzed to be a key and, for some, also strategic factor in ensuring the relationship with readers and advertisers (Duffy, 2019; Wang, 2011). The authenticity of travel bloggers, which derives from the impossibility of denying the experience of the travel bloggers or of contesting their veracity, is considered an indicator of socially constructed value (Duffy, 2019).…”

“…Therefore, we also witness the identification of the tourist as a hero who overcomes challenges and discovers himself or herself in the spirit of adventure (Chen et al , 2020; Nelson, 2015). Bolstered by this image, the travel blogger builds an identity by manifesting a certain dominance over readers, other media and the local community (Duffy, 2019). Travel bloggers use blogs as a tool to prove their authority and elitist privilege rather than as an egalitarian voice.…”

“…Authenticity is embodied in the exclusivity and unrepeatability of the travel experience. It is used to validate the traveler’s choice and to create an identity (Duffy, 2019).…”

“…DesƟnaƟon (re)visit intenƟon Engagement and enjoyment (Chen et al, 2014;Hsiao et al, 2013;Tsaur et al, 2014) (Wang, 2011;) (Hsiao et al, 2013;Tan and Chen, 2012;Zhang et al, 2020;Sarmiento Guede et al, 2021) blog funcƟon characterisƟcs RelaƟonship markeƟng outcomes (Chen et al, 2014;Li and Huang, 2006;Tsaur et al, 2014) Charisma (Tsaur et al, 2014) AuthenƟcity (Duffy, 2019;Muldoon and Mair, 2016;Van Driel and Dumitrica, 2021;Volo, 2010;Wang, 2011) CommunicaƟon /conversaƟonal style Trustworthiness of source (Burgess et al,2011) Drivers (Yu et al, 2021) (Magno and Cassia, 2018) ConƟnued Use Table 4.…”