Authenticity: Multiple-item Scale Development and Validation

Abstract

The goal of this study is to create a scale for measuring authenticity in a tourismmanagement environment. Authenticity has been extensively studied in a wide range ofacademic fields. Authenticity has been a theme in tourism management research, and thisstrategy is becoming more and more popular. Only a few studies have been done onmeasuring objects in a tourist setting, even though there is a wealth of literature onauthenticity in tourism management. The primary objective of this study is to fill the abovegap in the modern jurisprudence of tourism. In response to the need for standardizing themeasurement of the construct, a multi-item "authenticity" scale was created. The scalehas 18 items that measure how consumers feel about the authenticity of the goods,services, and experiences they use. This paper describes the scale development processand validation procedures. The empirical data was gathered using two distinct samples:business management, humanities, and social science majors at universities and hotelindustry professionals. The data in this study were analyzed using an exploratory factoranalysis, and it was found that authenticity has five different facets: The results of theconformity factor analysis confirmed aesthetic, cultural, environmental, personalexperiences, and service as authenticating factors. In addition, the properties and thepotential applications of the scale are discussed.