Journal of Tourism and Development

Journal of Tourism and Development

Identifying Themes of Authenticity and Commercialization in Tourists' Experiences of Traditional Accommodations in Yazd City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Management Department Associate Professor, Humanity Faculty, Science and Arts university, Yazd, Iran.
2 M.Sc. Alumna, Information Technology, Science and Arts University, Yazd, Iran
10.22034/jtd.2025.478296.2965
Abstract
In recent years, traditional accommodations playing a significant role in providing authentic experiences to tourists. This study aimed to examine the themes of authenticity and commodification in tourists' experiences of traditional accommodations in Yazd, Iran. The research employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological strategy. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 experts (including tourists, accommodation managers, and tourism specialists) selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Results revealed eight main themes in tourists' experiences of traditional accommodations in Yazd: experiencing architectural authenticity, sense of nostalgia, interaction with the local community, cultural commodification, authenticity-modernization contradiction, experience of tranquility, connection with nature, and cultural learning. These findings suggest that traditional accommodations in Yazd have high potential for providing rich and meaningful experiences to tourists, but managing the balance between preserving authenticity and meeting modern tourists' needs remains challenging.
Keywords

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