This study contributes to the literature on authenticity in tourism by examining its psychological foundations through the lens of identity orientations. It explores the structural relationships between identity orientations, perceived authenticity, experience quality, collective effervescence, and tourist satisfaction in the context of scuba-diving tourism. Data collected from tourists visiting Kaş, a major scuba-diving destination in Antalya, Türkiye, were analyzed using Bayesian SEM. The results reveal that identity orientations positively influence perceived authenticity, which in turn, perceived authenticity positively affects experience quality and collective effervescence. Notably, these two constructs fully mediate the effect of perceived authenticity on satisfaction, positioning authenticity as a psychological catalyst. The results imply important inferences regarding the identity and authenticity debates in tourism, and besides, introduce the effervescence concept as a useful intermediary.
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