Retailing in places of World Heritage, transition and ‘planned authenticity’

Abstract

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Unfolding authenticity within retail gentrification in Mouraria, Lisbon

“…In this particular example, the authenticity of coffee shops is an element of differentiation from now-a-days mass-market stores (Gelmers, 2015) but is, simultaneously, linked with traditional retail practices and stores; in this case, coffee is sold for its objective authenticity but its appropriation byconsumers fits within existential authenticity. Moreover, several elements of authenticity are connected with specific places (Thomsen, 2018), in spatially defined areas, whether we may be discussing products or elements representatives of a certain culture (see Zhu, 2015). Therefore, these authenticity elements possess a given spatial capital, although not exactly in the form of position capital or situation capital as defined by Lévy (1994), which means that there is an intangible asset possessed by some areas by means of the historic elements that are transformed into capital to be used by investors willing to capitalise it.…”

“…as Zukin (2008) discusses, the elements that an outsider finds authentic may not be perceived as such by a long-term resident, who just face those same elements as a part of their daily life. Whereas some studies show us (see for instance Martínez, 2016;Thomsen, 2018;Trihn, Ryan, & Cave, 2014) that authenticity can assume different forms, reflecting the specificities that better defines each area, in Mouraria no single element seems to really capture the neighbourhood.…”

Sustainable Stewardship of Egypt’s Iconic Heritage Sites: Balancing Heritage Preservation, Visitors’ Well-Being, and Environmental Responsibility

“…For the Giza Pyramids Plateau, the word analysis findings (Figure 1) indicate significant issues adversely impacting site operations and the visitor experience quality domains pivotal to sustainable cultural tourism development. Unchecked commercialization in the form of coercive guiding and extortionate animal rides reflects poor management control, compromising heritage authenticity and ethical tourism goals [45]. Destinations rely on positive imagery; however, such sore points risk generating deleterious perceptions of mismanagement inconsistent with identity branding aims [46].…”

Shops with a history and public policy

“…The growth and diversification of tourism and the demand made by many visitors, investors, and some residents for specific and unique features characteristic of each place, justify the use of commerce as an asset that enhances the specificity of the cities. Thomsen (2018) shows how a heritage site may provide a context for tourism retail development as tourists like to buy place-specific products to remind them of the place they visited. Indeed, retail tends to be a pillar of the city's branding in attracting tourists, as Rabbiosi (2016) shows for the regional food and wine shops in Rimini.…”

“…On the one hand, an almost mythical rooting in space and time; on the other, an ability to produce historically new creative innovations. The same problem with authenticity and the configuration of a pseudo-old 'tailor city' for tourists led Thomsen (2018) to speak of 'planned authenticity', the outcome of interventions that lead to increase in the significance of activities and products that were not specially attached to a place in the past.…”