Elaine Haldeman Davis Building Bali Hai : Tourism and the ( re ) creation of place in

Thatched hut resorts today play a significant role in creating a sense of place within a given location. Thatched hut resorts are particularly ubiquitous in the South Pacific and, in particularly in Tahiti where almost all resorts are comprised, at least partially, of these structures. Against this background, the aim of this paper is to examine how such resorts define place for tourists, construct myths of authenticity and simultaneously create the sense of familiarity and difference. The method employed to this end combines examination of resort design and analysis of promotional material. The paper starts by discussing perspectives in tourism and postcolonial theories, followed by an outline of the thatched hut typology in resort design and its relationship to the marketing, then moves to the Tahiti as a specific example. The analysis demonstrates how the resorts have become symbols of authenticity, or authenticity constructed as place. It is argued that the image of Tahiti as primitive, yet tamed paradise is perpetuated today by those in the tourism industry as well as by many of the theorist that critique the myths. But myths are not allencompassing, nor do they necessarily mask an authentic truth.