In Search for Authenticity

Abstract

The authenticity of nature and culture is the main attraction of rural tourism. However, this does not mean that the attractions in these destinations are untamed. Instead, tourism attractions have been managed and set up in such a way as to be attractive, memorable, and safe for tourists. The hope is that these attractions will provide a satisfying travel experience, encouraging visitors to return or recommend the destination to their social circles. This reality makes rural tourism a contest between preservation and commodification. <br/> Samiran Tourism Village is a contemporary case study from Southeast Asia. This destination is one of the most popular rural tourism spots at the foot of Mount Merapi in Central Java, Indonesia. The majority of visitors are domestic tourists from cities in Central Java. Most of them come to enjoy the mountainous landscape with the comfort of various amenities, such as cafes, restaurants, cottages, or local theme parks. Many tourists are also seeking a closer experience with rural life in the area. Those who wish to sample the unique Merapi-style local lifestyle participate in the Samiran Village Tour guided by a local tour operator named Guyub Rukun. Both segments of tourists seek authentic experiences in a familiar, comfortable, and organized manner. <br/> This study assesses authenticity as a social construct. Various tourism scholars argue that authenticity is a perceptual experience based on the interaction between tourists and tourist attractions. A genuine attraction will evoke more admiration than its replica. Tourists may accept artificial attractions as substitutes when the original is unavailable or inaccessible. On the other hand, the hosts find the momentum from tourism to preserve their traditions. Economic diversification resulting from tourism contributes to the capacity of the community to sustain its traditions.<br/> Based on this conceptual foundation, this study proposes a hypothesis that tourists and hosts mutually contribute to the construction of the authenticity image of rural tourist attractions. Tourists enjoy the beauty of mountainous landscapes, farmlands, and enduring Javanese traditions, which validate their imagination of the village's authenticity. Tourism provides hosts with a reason to revisit the relevance of old values. Traditions in religious-based festivals and local art troupes reviving folk dances are examples of how cultural preservation intersects with the practices of the Samiran Village Tourism program. Staged authenticity serves as a compromise between tourists seeking authenticity and hosts pursuing progress.