Utilization of Cultural Assets; Is It a Realization of Authenticity? Or a Damage to Authenticity?

A cultural heritage issue, specifically its preservation and utilization, has been the center of animated controversy. Who participates in the discussion is mainly a provider; a tourist is rather the subject of a consumer that is regarded as a easy person to deceive. An ancient palace project, which was designed in an attempt to deliver a tangible and an intangible cultural heritage to tourists, was proposed and carried out. It represents the political and cultural phenomenon because a specialized organization has chosen a specific culture for this project that enable an authenticity to be attained. This study analyzed the tourists’ recognitions and experiences regarding a cultural transition of authenticity when cultural assets were utilized. The result shows that the attempt of utilizing and delivering of a royal culture has a positive influence on building a new type of authenticity, on the basis of tourists’ active interactions and communication with each other. What is important is that a tourist is an active consuming project as well as a formative subject. Also, the study reveals that tourists adhere to position where preservation and maintaining of authenticity should be a high priority in terms of a utilization of cultural assets. The result of this study indicates that new authenticity can be formed and constructed, by properly utilizing cultural assets that are engaged in tourists’ active interaction and their contributions.