Plan for the worst, hope for the best? Exploring major events related terrorism and future challenges for UK event professionals
International Journal of Tourism Cities
ISSN: 2056-5607
Article publication date: 9 November 2018
Issue publication date: 30 November 2018
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate major event related terrorism and the resulting challenges that event professionals may face when hosting major events in cities as part of a destination marketing strategy.
Design/methodology/approach
The research was based in the UK due to the significant rise in terrorist activities that have taken place in its urban cities in recent years. The exploratory nature of this study utilised semi-structured interviews with UK event professionals, enabling a preliminary, in-depth investigation of the challenges that events professionals face as a result of major event related terrorism.
Findings
The research findings identify three challenges faced by event professionals when organising major events: knowledge and understanding in relation to major event related terrorism; the impact of major event related terrorism in terms of responsibility and accountability; and managing for major event related terrorism in budgetary terms.
Research limitations/implications
The research is limited to the UK, other destinations will pose their own unique challenges when hosting and managing events. It is suggested that this research be evaluated against similar studies in other destinations. This is a preliminary study and each of the topics identified within the findings warrant further exploration in their own right.
Originality/value
The paper offers an insight into the challenges faced by event professionals in the UK when delivering major events as part of a destination marketing strategy. With the increase in major event related terrorism in cities the findings of this research are of relevance not only to event professionals but anyone with a role in destination and tourism development.
Keywords
Citation
Baxter, D., Flinn, J. and Picco, L.F. (2018), "Plan for the worst, hope for the best? Exploring major events related terrorism and future challenges for UK event professionals", International Journal of Tourism Cities, Vol. 4 No. 4, pp. 513-526. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-03-2018-0021
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, International Tourism Studies Association