Resident-focused tourism policy: perceived quality-of-life difference and its effect on expectations about and support for mega events

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to examine residents’ perceived quality of life (QOL), and how it influences their expectations and support in mega sport event settings. Hosting mega sport events that can successfully meet the residents’ high expectation and support has been highly acclaimed due to its far-reaching positive effects on the community’s economy. An empirical study was conducted by collecting data from 205 residents of Incheon city during the 2014 Incheon Asian games. The findings indicate that they perceive QOL differently and form significantly different expectations depending on the economic status of an area such as wealthy economic and societal area vs. underdeveloped economic and societal area. Moreover, positive expectation led to support for the Incheon Asian games, while negative expectation did not. This study suggests that different marketing messages should be delivered to different QOL groups since each QOL group has different expectations of a mega event. The theoretical and managerial implications and limitations of the research are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Expectation
• mega sport event
• support
• tourism policy
• quality of life

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.