Making memories: a consumer-based model of authenticity applied to living history sites

Abstract

Purpose Underpinned by the consumer-based model of authenticity (CBA), this study aims to investigate whether leisure involvement, object-based and existential authenticity, host sincerity and engagement stimulate positive memorable visitor experiences in a distinctive commercial hospitality setting: a living history site. Design/methodology/approach Quantitative data were gathered from living history site visitors (n = 1,004), with partial least squares structural equation modeling used to test the hypothesized relationships. Findings The results confirm the inclusion of the hypothesized relationships between leisure involvement, sincerity and authenticity, relative to engagement and subsequent memorability. The findings suggest that engagement can be a predictor of a positive memorable experience, contingent on CBA constructs (sincerity; object-based authenticity; existential authenticity). The significant association between object-based authenticity and memorable experience identified herein differs from some published studies, while other results are broadly consistent with extant research. Results also reveal significant differences for visitors who purchased souvenirs when compared to those who did not. Research limitations/implications The research extends the CBA by positing sincere hospitality as a relationship-based encounter between host and guest that influences social interaction, engagement and memorability within the novel living history site context. Further, the ability to differentiate visitors based on their purchases at the site is illustrated. Originality/value Given the ubiquity of engagement and authenticity as precursors to memorable experiences within contemporary commercial hospitality and heritage discourses, the findings apply to hospitality experiences beyond the living history site context examined herein.

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

“…Authenticity is central to the heritage tourism experience (Hargrove, 2002 ; Zatori et al, 2018 ) verified the relationship among participation, authenticity, and the tourist experience and found that authenticity correlates with the tourism experience. Kesgin et al ( 2021 ) confirmed that OBA positively affects MTEs at historical sites, whereas Pine et al ( 1999 ) suggested that people immersed in tourism activities are more likely to have unforgettable experiences. EA comes from engaging in tourism activities (Wang and Mattila, 2015 ); thus, tourists' participation in activities can create unforgettable experiences (Kim, 2014 ).…”

“…Memorable tourism experiences (MTEs), which are experiences that tourists actively remember after visiting a tourist destination (Kim et al, 2012 ), are cognitive evaluations of external stimuli (such as tourism authenticity). Relevant studies have shown that tourism authenticity correlates with MTEs (Kesgin et al, 2021 ). Moreover, cognitive evaluations of external stimuli produce emotional responses.…”

Process framework for innovation through tradition and its antecedents in rural heritage B&B

“…To build up a authentic experiential space, it needs to follow up with service innovation and further maintenance and innovation over the entire life cycle. This could involve co-creation, engaging with local community and visitors (Guan et al , 2021; Hao, 2020; Kesgin et al , 2021; Liu et al , 2022). Innovation process studies suggested that neglecting implementation phases can create a black hole in process theory and render an explanatory framework of innovation antecedents incomplete (Perry-Smith and Mannucci, 2017).…”

“…There are many valuable traditions with potential for creating an authentic experience for visitors (Benur and Bramwell, 2015;Yi et al , 2017), for examples, historic buildings and attractions, arts and crafts, traditional farming and other related activities, and folklore handed down from generation to generation. This can enhance the customer experience, increasing attractiveness and building a strong differentiation advantage in the market ( Kuo et al , ;Kesgin 2018Kesgin et al ., 2021. More importantly, innovation utilising traditions and heritage can, simultaneously, achieve sustainable objectives, encompassing heritage conservation, community development, and tourism economy (Menicucci, 2018;Widjojo and Gunawan, 2020).…”

A Profile-Based Approach to Understanding Social Exchange: Authentic Tour-Guiding in the Sharing Economy

“…Reconceptualizing tour-guiding accordingly, guides serve to balance tourists' demands for authentic experiences with ever-evolving sharing economy trends. Guides can transform sites into tourist attractions or authentic experiences (Kesgin et al 2021), but professionalism and standardization issues create ambiguity around their role (Ap and Wong 2001). The curatorial role of tour guides in interpreting heritage, for example, can influence tourists' perceptions of destination authenticity (Io and Hallo 2011).…”