Abstract
This paper explores the concept of existential authenticity, a state of being that can be produced or pursued through tourism activities. This paper examines how it is understood by philosophers, psychologists, and scholars and highlights how the industry creates opportunities to encounter one’s authentic self. It concludes with conceptual frameworks for existential authenticity and inauthenticity developed by philosopher Martin Heidegger, illustrates the frameworks with examples drawn from the literature, and suggests how a Heideggerian concept can be used in future research, and in tourism planning and marketing.