Understanding the fluctuations of perceived authenticity in cultural tourism: an investigation of Bali and Alsace contexts
Author: Anndimarjoko, Prihartomo
Under the direction of: Françoise Simon and Isabelle Barth
University of Upper Alsace
English text
Keywords: Management sciences, Indonesia, Bali, Existential authenticity, Authenticity fluctuations, Cultural tourism, Travel stages, Travel strategies, Marketing, Joint measures analysis.
Abstract
The marketing of cultural tourism faces a dilemma between maximizing the economic return and nurturing the culture’s social functions. It needs to attract segments driven by cultural motifs, through a differentiation based on authenticity. Perceived authenticity changes over a time, but how it does remains elusive to researchers. This research investigated fluctuations of existential authenticity in cultural tourists in Bali. Participants were purposively and conveniently-sampled among visitors of cultural attractions. It comprised two stages : qualitative for building the model, and quantitative fortesting the variables. The first employed Grounded Theory interviewing 24 visitors, found the variables and built a modelof how they work. The second used SEM with 224 valid responses from Bali. For external validity, a survey in Alsace received 84 responses. An MGA compared samples from Bali and Alsace, eight out of ten paths were not significantly different. The model helps managers understand the fluctuations and manage the variables. Hence, this research delivered an empirical model on the fluctuations of perceived authenticity in cultural tourism.
