Persisting with Authenticity: Gleaning Contemporary Insights for Future Tourism Studies

Abstract

While preparing this analysis of the contributions of several scholars to the topic of authenticity in tourism research, an obituary appeared in an Australian newspaper (Butler 2007). The newspaper column reflected on the achievements and the influence of Jean Baudrillard (19292007) whose work can certainly be read as critical to the history of the authenticity debate. Together with a number of colleagues, Baudrillard asserted the value of a postmodern perspective and effectively challenged the view that we seek authenticity (Baudrillard 1983, 1988). It now seems particularly timely, following the passing of one of the masters of the post- modern perspective, to ask: is the original concept of authenticity, which was developed initially in pre-modern times something of enduring value? Alternatively, should we adopt the view, as Olsen ( 2007) hints, that it is a once grand idea, now thoroughly reworked by post-modern appraisals and ready to be discarded? The assertion of the analysis presented here is that authenticity still matters. The pathway to reach this conclusion will be pursued in this commentary by asking some fundamental questions which help assess the continuing value of authenticity as a research concept. The Questions are as follow: