Key Factors in Sport-Event Tourism: An Economic Outlook

Abstract

This chapter has two objectives. First, to identify the events’ elements that are capable of generating profits and optimizing tourism. From the defined elements, a typology is created to classify these elements according to their touristic impact. The joint consideration of elements and typology are proposed as a tool to improve decision-making processes in the organization of sports events. This way, sports events may be better managed and, therefore, more likely to result in a positive economic impact and attract tourism to the host territories. A wide and detailed analysis of the literature has been carried out in order to identify the key elements in sports events. Empirical and theoretical papers, as well as those on bibliometric analysis, have been studied systematically. Taking into consideration the theoretical models and contributions, and the descriptions of the variables employed in the literature, the relevant elements of sports events have been compiled and then grouped into the aspects that influence the economic repercussions of events. Additionally, the proposed typology of events in this chapter is based on the one by Gratton et al. (2000) that was later revised by Wilson (2006). This chapter includes some additional features and, with them, some subdivisions in the original typologies. Therefore, it is possible to extend the existing typology to include aspects that have developed with the evolution of sporting events.

Keywords: sport tourism, events, economic impact