We want to experience the real culture of a place, not just check off tourist attractions or watch performances designed specifically for visitors. But how do we find those authentic experiences?
Hey, fellow travelers,
We just got back from New Zealand, and wow, what a breathtakingly beautiful place! We stayed at this incredible eco-sanctuary that had me totally impressed with their conservation work and connection to the land. But there was one experience that left me feeling a bit let down. We signed up for what was marketed as a cultural hiking experience, and I was hoping for insights into Māori traditions and their relationship with this landscape. What we got instead was a lovely nature walk with deep knowledge about the conservation work, but absolutely zero cultural content. When I asked our guide about Māori culture, he basically shrugged and said it was "non-existent" in most tourist areas, and if you did find it, it was likely very performative and touristy. And while I don't believe the cultural practices don't exist anymore, I have a feeling there are a lot of similarities to Hawai'i at play here, where the truly authentic things happen behind closed doors, not accessible to most travelers. And instead, a Disneyfied version of the real culture makes it into a show, catered to tourists in digestible and entertaining, and most importantly, always available bites.
This is why we work so hard here in Hawaii to foster a connection between native practitioners and local organizations that are open to sharing their culture with curious visitors. It requires education, so that visitors show up with respect to these sacred sites and understand that if an experience only happens once a week, that's actually a sign of authenticity — not a show put on daily for tourists. It's the real deal precisely because it follows cultural rhythms, not tourism schedules. And it's a gift to be invited to be there and worth adjusting your schedule!
It seems like more and more of us are seeking those genuine connections when we travel. We want to experience the real culture of a place, not just check off tourist attractions or watch performances designed specifically for visitors. But how do we find those authentic experiences? How do we know what's real and what's staged?
I've been thinking a lot about this concept of "cultural sustainability" lately. It's about finding that sweet spot where cultural traditions can be shared with outsiders in meaningful ways, local communities maintain control and receive direct benefits, cultural practices remain authentic rather than becoming tourist performances, and both visitors and hosts come away with something valuable.
The truth is, tourism can either help preserve cultural traditions by creating economic incentives to maintain them, or it can dilute and distort them beyond recognition. The difference often comes down to who's in control of the experience and how it's designed.
So, how do we approach this as travelers who genuinely want to connect?
Here are some approaches we find helpful when looking for authentic cultural experiences:
Do your homework (but keep an open mind). I've found that researching community-led initiatives where locals have actual input on how their culture is shared makes all the difference. But I've also learned to set aside my expectations—the most meaningful cultural experiences rarely match what I imagined beforehand.
Cultural authenticity often requires patience. I try to stay longer in one place now, visit during shoulder seasons, and adjust my schedule around community events rather than expecting them to perform on my timeline. That approach once led me to a small village festival in Bali that wasn't in any guidebook but became the highlight of my trip.
Some of my most meaningful cultural experiences have happened at community gatherings or workdays. These spaces exist primarily for the community, not tourists. But more and more of them are starting to open their doors to a select few visitors to create other income sources and rely less on governmental funding. And there's something magical about being the only visitor in a space where everyday life is unfolding naturally.
We've also come to respect that not all aspects of a culture are meant to be shared with outsiders, and that's okay. In Hawai'i, there are ceremonies that aren't appropriate for tourists to attend, and respecting those boundaries is just as important as appreciating what is shared.
Finally, I'm learning to be comfortable with complexity. Real cultures are living, evolving, and sometimes contradictory—not frozen in time or perfectly packaged for visitors. There is often a lot of tension in places of native cultures, for very obvious reasons, and it's important to show up with humility and respect when visiting such spaces.
I'm still reflecting on what that guide in New Zealand said about Māori culture being "non-existent" in tourist experiences. I wonder how many visitors leave thinking that's actually true, rather than recognizing it as a failure of the tourism industry to create meaningful, respectful ways for cultural exchange to happen.
It reminds me of how important our work is — helping visitors understand that cultural sustainability isn't about staged performances but about creating spaces where culture can be shared authentically without being exploited.
What about you? Have you found places that navigate this balance well? Or experiences that left you feeling genuinely connected to a place and its people? I'd love to hear your stories.
