When Historical Untruths Enhance Popularity of a Tourist Destination: Fake, Real and Everything in between About the UNESCO Site 'Trulli of Alberobello'

Historical untruths and mythicized narratives significantly enhance the popularity of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as demonstrated by the 'Trulli of Alberobello' in Southern Italy. Despite its recognition as a global tourist destination since 1996, the site's authenticity is compromised by exaggerated or false historical claims, which are perpetuated through inaccurate guided tours, merchandising, and media representations. This study highlights how such distortions, while boosting tourism, undermine faithful historical exposure. It argues that restoring accurate history requires collaboration across the entire tourist sector—including residents, souvenir sellers, guides, and media—to ensure authenticity without sacrificing appeal.

Rosato, G. C. (2023). When Historical Untruths Enhance Popularity of a Tourist Destination: Fake, Real and Everything in between About the UNESCO Site 'Trulli of Alberobello'. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.7758768