The relationship between tourists’ perceptions of customized authenticity and loyalty to guesthouses in heritage destinations: an empirical study of the world heritage of Lijiang Old Town, China

A study of 397 tourists in Lijiang Old Town, China, reveals that perceptions of customized authenticity—specifically object-related and existential dimensions—significantly influence guesthouse loyalty. Tourists' sense of being at home in heritage destinations acts as a mediator between their perception of authenticity and loyalty. The research introduces new measurement scales for assessing these dimensions, extending the understanding of authenticity in the context of guesthouses within UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Shi, T. (., Jin, W., & Li, M. (2020). The relationship between tourists’ perceptions of customized authenticity and loyalty to guesthouses in heritage destinations: an empirical study of the world heritage of Lijiang Old Town, China. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research, 25(11), 1137–1152. https://doi.org/10.1080/10941665.2020.1825006