Assessing the sustainability of mega events - A holistic approach
Type
conference paper
Date Issued
2005-12-08
Author(s)
Johnsen, Julia
Abstract
Saturated markets influence tourism destinations all over the world. To distinguish themselves from other places and offers destinations detected mega events as an important source to generate primary income, to overcome seasonality (Higham and Hinch, 2002), to present multiple opportunities for achieving and increasing awareness through media coverage and for their often positive impact on the image of the host destination (Bieger, Bischoff and Johnsen 2004). Against these positive effects events became one of the fastest growing type of tourism attractions.
Seen from a sustainability perspective which integrates the economic view with ecological aspects and the investigation of impacts on the society, events show manifold effects.
According to the "event" definitions by Ritchie and Yangzhou (1987), Law (1993), and Getz (1997) events can be characterized by their size, e.g. number of visitors, level of media coverage, their economic impact for the host region, their duration and frequency (once, periodical etc.), and the occasion (cultural event, sports event, economic event, socio-political event etc.). The size of an event is often positively correlating with its impact on the host regions economy, ecology and society.
A case study of a mega sports event, drawn from the Ski World Championship in St. Moritz/Switzerland in 2003 is used to illustrate the process of sustainability monitoring, explain the deduction of indicators, present results of the monitoring and to derive managerial implications for further events.
Seen from a sustainability perspective which integrates the economic view with ecological aspects and the investigation of impacts on the society, events show manifold effects.
According to the "event" definitions by Ritchie and Yangzhou (1987), Law (1993), and Getz (1997) events can be characterized by their size, e.g. number of visitors, level of media coverage, their economic impact for the host region, their duration and frequency (once, periodical etc.), and the occasion (cultural event, sports event, economic event, socio-political event etc.). The size of an event is often positively correlating with its impact on the host regions economy, ecology and society.
A case study of a mega sports event, drawn from the Ski World Championship in St. Moritz/Switzerland in 2003 is used to illustrate the process of sustainability monitoring, explain the deduction of indicators, present results of the monitoring and to derive managerial implications for further events.
Language
English
Keywords
Event
Impact of Events
Sustainability
Case Study
Monitoring Process
HSG Classification
contribution to scientific community
Refereed
Yes
Event Title
International Conference "Assessing the impact of tourist events"
Event Location
Antibes Juan-les-Pins
Subject(s)
Eprints ID
21853