Exploring the relationship between visitor attractions and events: definitions and management factors

Weidenfeld, Adi; Leask, Anna

Abstract

The growing definitional debate on the terms ‘visitor attractions’ and ‘events’ highlights the need to compare their key determinants and management factors. The article elaborates on this definitional debate, by exploring existing definitions and developing an illustration of a continuum between visitor attractions and events. This is followed by a comparison of the management factors and key criteria in the effective management of visitor attractions and events. The findings indicate that while there are many similarities between the sectors, aspects such as spatio-temporality and levels of integration with the visitor attraction nucleus are identified as factors that differentiate them. In conclusion, the article determines that events should be examined separately from the visitor attraction sector due to their differing perspectives, measures, and management needs.

Citation

Weidenfeld, A., & Leask, A. (2013). Exploring the relationship between visitor attractions and events: definitions and management factors. Current Issues in Tourism, 16(6), 552-569. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.702736

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 8, 2012
• Online Publication Date: Jul 18, 2012
• Publication Date: 2013-08
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2016
• Journal: Current Issues in Tourism
• Print ISSN: 1368-3500
• Electronic ISSN: 1747-7603
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Issue: 6
• Pages: 552-569
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2012.702736
• Keywords: events, visitor attractions, event tourism, effective management,
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/322706