Premium
Living like a local: Authentic tourism experiences and the sharing economy
Author(s) -
Paulauskaite Dominyka,
Powell Raymond,
CocaStefaniak J. Andres,
Morrison Alastair M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
international journal of tourism research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.155
H-Index - 58
eISSN - 1522-1970
pISSN - 1099-2340
DOI - 10.1002/jtr.2134
Subject(s) - accommodation , sharing economy , tourism , hospitality , hospitality industry , marketing , purchasing , business , phenomenon , economic geography , advertising , economics , psychology , political science , physics , quantum mechanics , neuroscience , law
Travellers are demanding authentic, experientially oriented opportunities with more meaningful interactions with locals. The sharing economy has emerged partly as a response to these consumer trends with major potential impacts for tourism. This research investigated the phenomenon of authenticity‐seeking tourism and its links to the hospitality sector through consumer choices related to accommodation offered by sharing economy providers. It explored the relationship between perceived authenticity of the “local” experience and its significance when purchasing accommodation. The three themes of unique accommodation interiors and atmosphere, interactions with hosts, and interactions with local culture were found to be important to Airbnb users.