Integrating Authenticity, Well-being, and Memorability in Heritage Tourism: A Two-Site Investigation

Abstract

Authenticity, well-being, and memorability are essential to understanding tourist experience, yet little is known about the mechanism underlying these interrelated concepts. This study explores how tourists’ perceived authenticity influences memorability through their existential authenticity and well-being in the context of heritage tourism. Using data from visitors to two world heritage sites in China (West Lake and Lijiang), the effects of existential authenticity on tourists’ psychological and subjective well-being are empirically tested. Findings from cross-regional surveys reveal that existential authenticity, triggered by tourists’ perceived authenticity of local cultural heritage, is significantly associated with memorability and psychological and subjective well-being. Results further show that perceived authenticity of local cultural heritage contributes to memorability through existential authenticity and well-being. Elucidation of these conceptual relationships has theoretical and practical implications for heritage tourism studies and management.

Research on the relationship between wellness tourism experiencescape and revisit intention: a chain mediation model

“…Constructive authenticity did not have a significant effect on memorability or organizational identification, which differs from the findings of studies related to heritage tourism (Lee et al , 2015; Yi et al , 2022). Wellness tourism emphasizes a harmonious interactive experience that aligns tourists’ body, mind and spirit with the objective environment to help them achieve wellness.…”

“…Participating in such activities is essential for creating memorable tourism experience (Pine and Gilmore, 1999). This result echoes with studies on tourism with specific interests such as heritage tourism (Yi et al , 2022) or in specific environments such as hotels (Mody et al , 2019). In addition, the pursuit of wellness motivates tourists to stay in spa hotels.…”

Research on the Effect of Authenticity on Revisit Intention in Heritage Tourism

“…Other studies have suggested that authenticity affects RI via PA (Shang et al, 2020 ; Yi et al, 2021b ). Drawing on the CAT theory, we found that both MTEs and PA play an independent mediating role successively between authenticity and RI, which is consistent with previous studies (Shang et al, 2020 ; Rasoolimanesh et al, 2021 ; Yi et al, 2021a ). In addition, MTEs and PA played a multiple-step mediating role in the relationship between authenticity and RI.…”

“…Moreover, Cao et al ( 2019 ) reported that social relationships improve tourists' memory of travel experiences in the restaurant environment. Yi et al ( 2021a , b ) also confirmed that EA affects unforgettable experiences in heritage tourism. In addition, research has indicated that tourism based on authentic objects and sincere interactions leads to positive memorable experiences (Domínguez-Quintero et al, 2020 ).…”

Would Travel Experiences or Possessions Make People Happier?

“…The implicit promotion of existential authenticity can be attributed to the advantageous nature of tourism that activates the individual desire for self-exploration and self-connection with constant exposure to novel activities, places, peoples, or cultures (Yi et al 2021). The novel exposures (even for a limited level) urge the updated understanding of self-identity in relation to the external world (Matteucci and Filep 2017; Schultz and Tabanico 2007).…”