Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment: New Findings from Chinese World Heritage Sites

Research at UNESCO World Heritage Sites Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, and the Old Town of Lijiang reveals that tourists' perceived authenticity significantly influences their emotional connection to a place. Unlike prior assumptions, the study found that both architectural and intangible heritage elements shape different aspects of place attachment, which in turn strongly impacts loyalty. This mediation effect provides new insights into how authenticity fosters long-term visitor engagement. The findings challenge conventional understandings and offer actionable strategies for heritage management and marketing.

Yi, X., Fu, X., So, K. K. F., & Zheng, C. (2021). Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment: New Findings from Chinese World Heritage Sites. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 47(5), 800–826. https://doi.org/10.1177/10963480211027629