The value of authenticity in residential tourism

Abstract

This article argues that the main social agents involved in the residential tourism sector do not perceive the `search for authenticity' as a tourist need that demands their attention and promotion. Authenticity has not been identified as a key factor in attracting tourists. Authenticity could have an important influence on the behaviour of people who choose the Costa Blanca in the Province of Alicante, Spain, as the area in which to buy a second/holidays home. Results obtained from qualitative research, including 37 in-depth interviews, are presented here in order to examine how the local stakeholders perceive the role played by authenticity in attracting visitors to Alicante. In the light of the findings discussed, we try to understand the meaning and the possibilities given to the `authentic' tourist experiences on offer within the context of the residential tourism system of the Spanish Mediterranean coast.