The city of one hundred souvenir shops: authenticity of souvenirs in Prague

A significant portion of souvenirs sold in Prague's historic center, particularly along the highly trafficked 'Royal Way,' are found to be 'falsely authentic' or 'geographically displaced.' This study reveals that while some locally specific souvenirs exist, the prevalence of banal, globalized products diminishes the overall quality and cultural significance of Prague's souvenir market. The research attributes this trend to the interplay between communist-era heritage and post-1990s transformation processes in tourism. To uncover these insights, the authors conducted a comprehensive analysis of shops and their offerings along the 'Royal Way,' supplemented by structured interviews with sellers and questionnaires targeting tourists. This approach provides a nuanced understanding of how historical and socio-economic factors shape the authenticity of souvenirs in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dumbrovská, V., & Fialová, D. (2019). The city of one hundred souvenir shops: authenticity of souvenirs in Prague. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 18(2), 187–200. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2019.1606228