Small-scale event sport tourism: A case study in sustainable tourism

The data collection for the six events was funded by the Gainesville Sports Commission. The authors retain ownership of the data and have permission to use it for scholarly purposes. Research design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation were conducted by the authors.

Highlights

► Small-scale events can be a form of sustainable tourism for communities. ► An event portfolio can contribute economically, socially, and environmentally. ► Support existence of a Type E event in Gratton et al.’s (2000) event typology.

Abstract

Scholars have suggested that small-scale sports events may be a sustainable form of tourism development for communities (e.g., Higham, 1999). The purpose of this study was to examine six small-scale sports events and the work of a local sports commission in the context of the three pillars of sustainability: economic, social, and environmental. Small-scale sports events are largely competitor or parent-as-spectator based, often annual, and attract little media attention. The six events were: a marathon, Senior Games, archery, soccer, softball, and swimming. The participants or spectators of the six events were surveyed onsite or online over an 18-month period and additional data from the sports commission, where relevant, were included. Sample sizes ranged from n = 68 to n = 447. The results suggest that a small-scale sports event portfolio consistent with a community's infrastructure and human and cultural capital may be a viable form of sustainable tourism development.

Keywords:

• Small-scale event sport tourism
• Sports commissions
• Sustainable tourism
• Triple bottom line

Notes

The data collection for the six events was funded by the Gainesville Sports Commission. The authors retain ownership of the data and have permission to use it for scholarly purposes. Research design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation were conducted by the authors.