STAGED AUTHENTICITY: LESSONS FROM SAUNG ANKLUNG UDJO, BANDUNG, INDONESIA

This paper attempts to revisit the meanings of authenticity in touristexperiences from the social construct point of view. This paper argues that staged authenticity is a practical solution for tourists who are constrained by rigid itinerary as well as able to give high level of tourist satisfaction and high profits to the locals if it is well planned and managed. This paper then attempts to ascertain the experiences tourists look for when they visit a world-renowned cultural centre such as Saung Angklung Udjo, Bandung, Indonesia. Observation and informal semi-structured interviews were carried out to understand the factors that contribute to the success of staged authenticity at Saung Angklung Udjo. Findings reveal that tourists in Saung Anklung Udjo came for the laughter, innocent atmosphere and to recall the nostalgic childhood in Indonesia