REVI SI TI NG THE CONCEPT OF ( OBJECTI VE) AUTHENTI CI TY Wendy Hillman The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia w.hillman1@uq.edu.au ABSTRACT The concept of authenticity has been a hallmark in the sociology of tourism literature since it was first used by Dean MacCannell in his seminal works on tourism studies (1973; 1976). Authenticity has come to be defined in many ways, but has now evolved into a concept some would argue has become passé (Olsen 2007). This paper discusses the background to authenticity, its beginnings and foundations and provides various definitions of the idea from the 1970s to current, twenty-first century thinking. The background and arguments from noted authors on the subject, such as MacCannell (1973; 1976), Urry (1995), Pearce and Moscardo (1985), Littrell, Anderson and Brown (1993) and Sharpley (1994) have all been reviewed in this paper. These authors’ arguments are counter-balanced by the current theorising on authenticity, where authors such as Wang (1999), Cohen (2007), Olsen (2007) and Pearce (2007) are examined. I believe however, that objective authenticity still has a place within the sociology of tourism theories. It will continue to be an enduring concept that will emerge and evolve alongside more postmodern concepts. I, for one, will continue to use and embrace the original ideas as suggested by MacCannell (1973; 1976). 1 I NTRODUCTI ON As tourism has now become a central element of western economies, it is now recognised that people need travel in order to seek out new experiences and ways of life for themselves. Travel is seen as a mark of affluence and status, and only people with little money, the old and infirm, and very young children do not travel. The status and experience of travel, particularly to 'exotic' destinations, gives a 'value' and worth to those who have achieved this level of western prosperity. The following paper concerning authenticity within the scope of tourism brings together some highly interesting and salient issues relevant to the canon of sociology. I have based much of my paper on the work of Dean MacCannell (1976) and his book, The Tourist: A New Theory of the Leisure Class. According to the many of the early tourism scholars of the 1970-1990s, the most salient concept at the centre of any research investigating the experience of tourists is that of authenticity or verisimilitude. Urry amplifies this by arguing A particular issue is that of authenticity. It is argued especially by MacCannell that what tourists seek is the 'authentic', but that this is necessarily unsuccessful since those being gazed upon come to construct artificial sites which keep the inquisitive tourist away ... Tourist spaces are thus organised around what he calls 'staged authenticity' (Urry 1995: 140). Many other writers and researchers have argued that the prominent issue is the fact that many tourists are indifferent to authenticity and that this may explain their perceptions of their experiences (Pearce and Moscardo 1985: 158). MacCannell suggests that contemporary tourists who experience alienation through their daily working lives, pursue authenticity, through their journeys and holidays, to return home with an experience of a