Commodifying heritage: loss of authenticity and meaning or an appropriate response to difficult circumstances?

Abstract

The issue of commodification of heritage has attracted the interest of academic researchers as well as heritage managers with opinions ranging from the acceptance of some form of commodification as a means of attracting interest and revenue to those who argue that the process causes lose of authenticity and meaning. This paper examines a range of issues related to commodification including economic perspectives and how heritage is used by tourism and government for various purposes. The paper neither endorses or argues against commodification on the basic that each site is unique and its response to issues of authenticity and commodification will be governed by the reality of the circumstances it operates under the site operates.