TOURISM MARKETING MIX

Traditional Ways to Keep Authentic Perceptions Elevated

Authentic No Longer Means “Original”

“We should abandon Objective Authenticity in tourism because the concept has lost its meaning and importance.” (Steiner & Reisinger)

How Authentic Perception Fluctuates

When arriving in Ubud, Bali, her initial perception was lower than her previous expectation, e.g. due to economic difference: "It almost makes me feel guilty, that you are staying in these beautiful hotels where these people, yes, are living in not beautiful homes. " It was further shattered when seeing stray dogs in Sidemen: "But in Sidemen, they don't look so healthy there. And some of them are missing eyes.. So, coming from Canada, where we don't have umm.. stray animals that aren't looked after, it's difficult to see." She tried to compensate by discussing with other people (It was her first strategy from block D: "Networking"), but couldn't do much due to her introversion: "My interactions have been very limited to basically my drivers.. umm... When I have been out and about I'm pretty introverted.. " But at least by talking with the drivers, she discovered different perspectives, for example: "Although they are poor, it doesn't mean that they're sad. Like they live, and they're happy, everyone's happy." and "Umm.. It would be acceptance that this is just their way of life, and that there's nothing umm wrong with it." From very low, Christine improved her perceived authenticity to be a bit higher by taking "Acceptance" from block D of FOPA model as her strategy. That's how her perception fluctuates.

Fighting Mass Tourism

Implementing the Perception Management Program (PMP)

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From Some Readers

“

The information in this book, we can't get it from anywhere else. This is really the firsthand source of the FOPA (Fluctuations of Perceived Authenticity) model framework. The new method encompasses all aspects of authentic perception, including how the travelers REACT to their perceptions.” (Esther Prudencio)

´ “Chapter 2 gives clear explanations to understand what "authentic" really means and (more importantly) how it applies to travel and tourism business. Chapter 8 gives clear guidelines on how to build the authentic perception in our business, and (more importantly) how to make it last.” (Michel Legrand)

´ “In-depth, yet quite practical. Even just by looking at its Chapters and Sections, we already see this book provides both an in-depth theoretical framework and its practical applications. By itself it's an authentic book built upon a scientific discovery named "FOPA" model. Meanwhile, the best part is that the book teaches us HOW to gain from it, for building a lasting authentic perception in our tourism business.”