Authenticity in creative tourism experiences: international perspectives

Drawing on complexity theory, this research develops a relational perspective of authenticity that captures the dynamic and interdependent nature of experiential elements. Empirically, the study analyzes ten creative tourism experiences conducted in Brazil, Portugal, Spain, and the Netherlands, based on interviews with tourists and experience providers. We show that authenticity emerges through specific experiential dynamics related to creativity (freedom, guidance, and atmosphere), learning (playfulness, novelty, challenge, and cultural context), and participation (collaboration, design, music, and extroversion). These elements interact in non-linear ways, shaping how tourists construct meaningful experiences. By conceptualizing authenticity as a relational and dynamic phenomenon, the study advances theoretical debates on authenticity in tourism and identifies key design elements that can support more integrated and meaningful creative tourism experiences.