DETUROPE - The Central European Journal of Regional Development and Tourism 2025, 17(2):96-119

How Existential Authenticity Influences Flow-Like Experience Involvement, Self-Congruity and Tourist Experience? Sultanahmet: A World Heritage Destination

Melih Aydina
a Kilis 7 Aralık University, Vocational School of Tourism and Hotel Management, Kilis

Cultural heritage is as vital to the sustainability of tourism as it is to humanity. Therefore, safeguarding heritage destinations within their unique historical and cultural attributes is still a major issue in today's tourism environment. In addition to local and national authorities, tourists have a vital role in the promotion and sustainability of heritage destinations. The unique tourist attractions are an essential aspect that influences the motivation that plays a role in tourists' choice of destination. As tourists search for ways to escape everyday routines, heritage destinations are highly regarded as alternative destinations that offer opportunities for self-actualization and self-discovery. Tourists visiting heritage sites encounter a new spatial and temporal sphere, which gives them a sense of authenticity and genuineness. This experience, which can be a reflection of their true self, allows them to get into the flow. Thus, by immersing in the flow, tourists can have a memorable experience at the destination. The study was conducted in a quantitative research design on 226 foreign tourists visiting Sultanahmet district of Istanbul, a World Heritage destination. The study aimed to measure the effect of participants' existential authenticity on their flow experience, self-congruity and personal tourist experiences. Results showed that, tourists' flow experience, self-congruity and personal tourist experience are significantly and positively affected by their existential authenticity.

Keywords: Existential authenticity, Self-congruity, Flow-like experience involvement, Tourist experience, Sultanahmet

Received: September 27, 2024; Revised: November 29, 2025; Accepted: December 23, 2025; Published: December 25, 2025  Show citation

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Aydin, M. (2025). How Existential Authenticity Influences Flow-Like Experience Involvement, Self-Congruity and Tourist Experience? Sultanahmet: A World Heritage Destination. DETUROPE - The Central European Journal of Regional Development and Tourism, 17(2), 96-119
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