Achieving authenticity through ethnic tourism

Abstract EN

Ethnic tourism is regarded as a unique type of tourism, for it enables tourists to learn about and experience other cultures and traditions.

Authenticity is an important concept in ethnic tourism studies.

Likewise, it is a critical issue in tourism practice.

This article examines tourists' participation in ethnic attractions and products, and the levels of satisfaction with their experiences based upon empirical research conducted in 2011 in a number of Nubian villages which still exist north of the Dam.

The Nubian culture and society is considered an important part of the Egyptian culture and traditions.

Field research was done through the interviewing of some local people and the observing of their lifestyle.

A survey of 600 visitors to Nubian villages was also conducted.

Only 560 questionnaires were deemed valid to analysis of which, 89.2% was international and 10.8% was domestic.

The present study finds out that authenticity is a major concern for international tourists.

Most of the tourists were found interested in seeing the culture, traditions and way of life of indigenous people in their local areas.

Although it was the first experience for such a large number of tourists but they have different reasons for getting through it.