We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
A NOT SO LITTLE ITALY? TOURIST AND RESIDENT PERCEPTIONS OF AUTHENTICITY IN LEICHHARDT, SYDNEY.
- Authors
MURA, PAOLO; LOVELOCK, BRENT
- Abstract
This article reports upon an empirical study that compares and contrasts the perceptions of authenticity of visitors and residents within a migrant urban ethnic district—Leichhardt, or the Little Italy of Sydney, Australia. The research comprised a quantitative personally administered questionnaire, administered on site to domestic and international visitors and local residents. The rationale of this research was to identify what the critical components of "authenticity" are that make an urban ethnic district "authentic" for visitors and residents. In this respect, participants were asked to consider a number of elements including building and street architecture, sounds (language, music), cultural performances, food, service, smells, and retail offerings. The findings of this study show that international visitors perceive a higher level of authenticity in the case study area than domestic visitors, supporting previous research indicating that the place of origin affects visitors' perceptions of authenticity. The research also shows that residents perceived a lower level of authenticity across a range of experiences/products than international and domestic visitors. Authenticity involves a number of elements, such as food, architecture, or cultural performances. This research reveals that food, architecture, and music are the three elements most commonly associated with Italian culture in general. In this ethnic district, food is perceived to be the most authentic element by visitors, with other elements less representative of the "real" Italian culture in Leichhardt. The findings of this study raise several issues in terms of management and promotion of urban ethnic districts, given that the single elements may be perceived differently by different segments.
- Subjects
SYDNEY (N.S.W.); NEW South Wales; CULTURE &; tourism; TOURIST attitudes; PSYCHOLOGY of tourists; ETHNIC tourism; SPECIAL districts; CULTURAL industries; MARKETING
- Publication
Tourism Culture & Communication, 2009, Vol 9, Issue 1/2, p29
- ISSN
1098-304X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3727/109830409787556620