Consuming heritage perceived historical authenticity

This paper examines tourists' perceptions of the historical authenticity of The Rocks, Australia, a heritage precinct fashioned by the Sydney Cove Red evelopment Authority. It argues that overall tourists perceive this represe ntation of history as authentic. Gender, income, education level, position in lifecycle, place of residence, and previous visitations to The Rocks wer e also explored to identify how these variables might shape tourism experie nces and subsequent negotiations of authenticity. The overall uncritical "c onsumption" of the commodified version of history as heritage is regarded a s a matter For concern. The commodified environment based upon the rhetoric of Australian nationalism has silenced alternative versions of the past wh ich highlight oppression, racism, and conflict.