Destination Authenticity Scale

What it measures

Measures three forms of authenticity in tourism: object-based (genuineness of cultural/historical objects), intrapersonal existential (feeling true to oneself during the experience), and interpersonal existential (authentic social connections during travel). Wang's existential authenticity framework shifts focus from authentic objects to authentic self-experiences.

Response format

Likert (1–7, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

Scale items

Object-Based Authenticity — perceived genuineness of tangible destination elements (Likert 1–7, strongly disagree to strongly agree)

• The cultural artefacts and monuments at [destination] are original and genuine.
• The local crafts and products at [destination] are authentic.
• The historical sites at [destination] have been well preserved.
• The cultural performances and traditions at [destination] are genuine.
• The tangible heritage at [destination] is real and not fabricated.
• [Destination] offers genuine cultural experiences, not staged ones.

Existential Authenticity — self-discovery and heightened personal experiences

• Visiting [destination] helped me discover something new about myself.
• My visit to [destination] allowed me to connect with my inner self.
• Being at [destination] made me feel more alive and genuine.
• I felt a sense of personal authenticity during my visit to [destination].
• Visiting [destination] gave me a sense of personal freedom.
• At [destination], I felt in touch with what is truly important to me.

Full scale items shown. Always cite the original source when using this scale in research.

Usage notes & scoring

Three subscale scores. Existential authenticity is increasingly important as tourists seek immersive, transformative experiences over staged performances. High existential authenticity predicts overall trip meaningfulness and WOM.

Recommended companion scales

Citation

Wang, N. (1999). Rethinking authenticity in tourism experience. Annals of Tourism Research, 26(2), 349–370.

Keywords