This book explains the mechanism of FOPA model in detail, followed by its practical use in building a lasting authentic perception in tourism destinations. The last chapter contains a step-by-step guide to implementing a structured Perceptions Management Program.
Authenticity has been one of the most important yet most complex constructs in marketing. In tourism, authenticity has departed away from classical objectivism, which emphasizes the originality of an object. Instead, it moves towards more constructive and existential perceived authenticities. Those perceptions strongly influence the satisfaction and loyalty of the travelers. And because authentic perceptions fluctuate across travel stages, the science-based FOPA (Fluctuations OF Perceived Authenticity) framework is used.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Why Authentic Perception
1.1 What This Book is About
1.2 Defining Tourism
1.3 Cultural Tourism
1.4 The Dilemma in Cultural Tourism
1.5 In Search of a Sustainable Differentiation
Chapter 2. So, What is "Authentic"?
2.1 The Demands and Importance of Authenticity
2.2 Backgrounds and Consequences of Authenticity
2.3 Approaches to Authenticity in Tourism
2.4 Applying Perceived Authenticity in Tourism
Chapter 3. How Perceptions Fluctuate
3.1 Expectation Confirmation/Disconfirmation Theory
3.2 The Temporal Effects in Social Contexts
3.3 The Fluctuations of Perceived Authenticity (FOPA)
3.4 Managing the Fluctuations
Chapter 4. Understanding Traveler's Backgrounds
4.1 Demography
4.2 Mode of Travel (Solo/Group)
4.3 Economy
4.4 Socio-Cultural
4.5 Travel Competence
4.6 Other backgrounds
4.7 Aligning Backgrounds with Perception-Affecting Factors
Chapter 5. Managing Affecting Factors
5.1 Trust
5.2 Objects
5.3 Structural Factors
5.4 TTI
5.5 TLI
5.6 Activities
5.7 Learnings
5.8 Between Affecting Factors and Traveler's Strategies
Chapter 6. How They React: Traveler's Strategies
6.1 Networking
6.2 Exploratory behavior
6.3 Itinerary change
6.4 Increased anxiety
6.5 Acceptance
6.6 Wrapping Up Traveler's Strategies
Chapter 7. Different Place, Different Approach?
7.1 MGA Results between Bali and Alsace
7.2 Traveler's Strategies to Improve/Impair Perceptions
7.3 From Final Perceptions to Behavioral Intentions
7.4 Conclusion
Chapter 8. Make FOPA Work for Your Tourism Site
8.1 Lasting Authentic Perceptions in a Nutshell
8.2 PDCA/PERI for Sustainability
8.3 Composing the Perception Management Program (PMP)
8.4 What We Will Achieve
Objectives and Topics
This book explores the complex construct of "authenticity" in the tourism industry, focusing specifically on how traveler perceptions fluctuate during their journey. The primary goal is to provide tourism managers with a science-based framework, the FOPA (Fluctuations Of Perceived Authenticity) model, to effectively manage and sustain authentic perceptions for long-term business success.
- The theoretical evolution of authenticity in tourism (objective, constructive, existential, and performative approaches).
- Empirical insights into how traveler backgrounds and external factors influence perceptions.
- Identification of traveler strategies that either enhance or impair authentic perception.
- Practical implementation of a Perception Management Program (PMP) using the PERI cycle for sustainable results.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Expectation Confirmation/Disconfirmation Theory
To start with exploring the temporal behaviors of perceived authenticity in tourism, one might want to predict the initial impression of authenticity upon arrival using the Expectation Confirmation/ Disconfirmation Theory (ECT/EDT). The classical theory is illustrated by the classic diagram below from Oliver in 1996. If a tourist had a high set of expectations, before they depart for the holiday, they likely get a lower satisfaction when arriving at the destination and the reality is not like they had in mind, vice versa. Despite recent criticism to the classical theory, a number of past research have supported its applicability in tourism.
For example, a study by Pizam and Milam in 1993 observed 180 American first-timer tourists departing to and returning from Spain. The results showed that disconfirmations are relatively good predictors of overall satisfaction with a destination. The predictive ability of the ECT/EDT model was found to be especially effective when the tourists' population was sub-divided into market segments based on reasons for travel. A recent criticism to the theory includes one from Montero Lorenzo, arguing that a very low expectation from a tourist does not mean they will gain high satisfaction if the destination turns out to be better than expected.
We examined this Expectation Confirmation/Disconfirmation Theory (ECT/EDT) in FOPA research done in Bali and Alsace, i.e., between the pre-arrival and the arrival process. However, following the arrival, a tourist's perception will continue to change as we've seen earlier empirically found in Bali. In contrast, ECT/EDT assumes the perception constant during the visit. Even, an interesting fact was found after surveying hundreds of tourists during our quantitative research in Bali and Alsace. Statistical analyses discovered the relationship between initial perception when a tourist arrive in Bali and final perception at the end of the travel, was the weakest among other factors. In other words, the initial perception when he/she arrives, is a weak predictor of the final perception when he/she leaves the destination.
Summary of Chapters
Chapter 1. Why Authentic Perception: Explains the growing importance of authenticity as a purchasing criterion in tourism and introduces the FOPA research context.
Chapter 2. So, What is "Authentic"?: Reviews various theoretical approaches to authenticity, from objective to existential, and establishes the construct for the book's framework.
Chapter 3. How Perceptions Fluctuate: Examines temporal effects on perception and introduces the FOPA model architecture (Travel Stages, Backgrounds, Affecting Factors, and Strategies).
Chapter 4. Understanding Traveler's Backgrounds: Analyzes how demographic, economic, and sociocultural variables influence a traveler's perception of authenticity.
Chapter 5. Managing Affecting Factors: Details seven key categories—including trust, objects, interactions, and activities—that managers can influence to shape traveler perceptions.
Chapter 6. How They React: Traveler's Strategies: Investigates the coping mechanisms tourists use, such as networking or exploratory behavior, and their moderating effect on perception.
Chapter 7. Different Place, Different Approach?: Provides empirical evidence that the FOPA framework is transferable and valid across diverse cultural destinations like Bali and Alsace.
Chapter 8. Make FOPA Work for Your Tourism Site: Offers a practical guide to implementing a Perception Management Program (PMP) using the PERI management cycle.
Keywords
Authenticity, FOPA Model, Cultural Tourism, Perceived Authenticity, Tourism Management, Traveler Backgrounds, Expectation Confirmation Theory, Existential Authenticity, Sustainable Tourism, Perception Management Program, PERI Cycle, Tourist-Local Interactions, Behavioral Intentions, Bali, Alsace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
This book focuses on understanding and managing the complex construct of "perceived authenticity" in the tourism industry to help businesses build sustainable, long-term perceptions among travelers.
What are the central themes covered?
The core themes include the theoretical definition of authenticity, the empirical model of FOPA (Fluctuations of Perceived Authenticity), the influence of traveler backgrounds, and actionable management strategies.
What is the primary objective of the research?
The objective is to provide a scientific framework that allows tourism managers to predict and influence how perceptions of authenticity change during a guest's visit, ultimately driving repeat consumption and positive word-of-mouth.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The book is based on five years of extensive research in Bali and Alsace, utilizing both qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys analyzed with Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).
What does the book address in the main section?
The main sections systematically break down the FOPA model: travel stages, traveler backgrounds, perception-affecting factors, and the strategies tourists use as a response to their experiences.
Which keywords best characterize this book?
Key terms include Authenticity, FOPA Model, Cultural Tourism, Perception Management, and Sustainable Differentiation.
How does the FOPA model improve upon traditional theories?
Unlike classical models that assume perceptions remain constant during a visit, the FOPA model acknowledges that perceptions are dynamic and fluctuate based on ongoing experiences, backgrounds, and strategies.
What is the PERI cycle and how is it used here?
PERI (Plan-Execute-Review-Improve) is an adapted management cycle used to integrate the FOPA framework into a practical, sustainable Perception Management Program for any tourism site.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Andy Marjoko (Autor:in), 2022, How to Build a Lasting Authentic Perception in Tourism Business, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1225344
