| The creation of cultural messages previously was relegated to the sphere of national patrimonial producers. However, this thesis departs from prior scholarship by focusing on the integral role of non-government mediated environments in cultural construction. These mediated environments have significant implications for the tourist's perceptions of the perceived authenticity, commodification, and homogenization of the tourism product.;Cultural construction marks most aspects of modern life. It requires a selective narrative formation that results in a simplified, easily consumable message. This practice is especially pronounced in the field of cultural tourism. As elements are included and excluded, how much of what is referred to as "culture" is inherent to or representative of places? Further examination reveals that the construction of heritage, culture, and place are influenced both by government institutions and user-generated participatory models.;In particular, this thesis will study the combined effects of government institutional intervention and mediated environments on four case studies: Istanbul, Turkey- European Capital of Culture Program; Spain- El Camino de Santiago de Compostela; Thailand- Culinary Tourism; and British Columbia, Canada- Indigenous Tourism. In each of these cases, the effects on the authenticity, commodification, and homogenization of the final tourism product will be examined. |
