Host population perceptions of the social impacts of sport tourism events in transition countries: Evidence from Croatia
International Journal of Event and Festival Management
ISSN: 1758-2954
Article publication date: 5 October 2012
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to empirically investigate residents’ perceptions of social impacts from co‐hosting the 2009 World Men's Handball Championship (WMHC09) in a small Croatian city – Split – in response to the need for social impacts research at a variety of sport tourism events and locations. Additional analysis was performed on a number of socio‐demographic factors that may affect the magnitude of residents’ perceptions.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative methodology was employed using a convenience sampling method. A drop and mail‐back technique with self‐completed surveys was used. A total of 92 completed surveys were returned. Mann‐Whitney U and Kruskal‐Wallis tests were used to test for patterns of social impacts across demographic variables.
Findings
Overall, respondents’ perceived the social impacts from co‐hosting WMHC09 as mostly positive. However, the majority of respondents believed that the public monies spent on a new arena construction should have been allocated to construct facilities for which there is a greater public need (healthcare centers, schools, etc.). Variations in respondents’ perceptions generally could not be explained by their socio‐demographic characteristics.
Practical implications
Any future decisions to use public monies for one‐time financially intensive events should perhaps be subjected to a decision by a popular vote.
Originality/value
This is one of the few studies to examine the residents’ perceptions of the social impacts of sport tourism events in transition countries. It also extends social exchange theory and reports validity and reliability of the social impacts scale.
Keywords
Citation
Pranić, L., Petrić, L. and Cetinić, L. (2012), "Host population perceptions of the social impacts of sport tourism events in transition countries: Evidence from Croatia", International Journal of Event and Festival Management, Vol. 3 No. 3, pp. 236-256. https://doi.org/10.1108/17582951211262684
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2012, Emerald Group Publishing Limited