Understanding the
World Around Us

What 'Authentic' Actually Means

"Authenticity in cultural contexts refers to practices, places, or experiences that exist independent of outside observation - things that would happen whether or not visitors were present to witness them."

The word 'authentic' appears everywhere in travel and culture, yet its meaning has become so diluted that it often signals the opposite of what it claims. This entry unpacks the term's origins, its misuse, and what genuine authenticity might actually look like.