Does the young residents' experience with the Youth Olympic Games influence the support for staging the Olympic Games?. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schnitzer, Martin; Walde, Janette; Scheiber, Sabrina; Nagiller, Roman; Tappeiner, Gottfried
• Is Part Of: Tourism management perspectives. Volume 30(2019)
• Page Start: 220
• Page End: 231
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Olympic Games bid -- Youth Olympic Games -- Event support -- Youth involvement -- Event experience; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2019.03.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-9736

Abstract

Abstract: Events have become popular tools for tourism development. However, in recent times, bids for hosting events tend to fail due to residents' opposition. This study examines the experience of the local youth on occasion of the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) and analyzes its influence towards the bid for the Olympic Games (OG). Thus, a survey ( n = 1004) was conducted 3 years after staging the YOG. Findings suggest that the level of involvement and the experience gained at the YOG have a significant influence on the support for an OG bid. Our analyses extend the literature (1) by analyzing the influence the perception of smaller events has on bigger challenges, (2) by testing influencing factors on gained experiences, (3) by eliminating short-term effects due to a study design questioning locals 3 years after the event and, finally, (4) by considering the level of young individuals' involvement during the event. Highlights: The study analyzes the role smaller sports events may play in the support for bigger events. We test influencing factors on experiences gained during the event 3 years after the event. Our analysis considers the level of the young individuals' involvement during the event. Determinants such as personal settings and personality traits are included in the analysis. The level of involvement and the experiences gained with smaller events significantly influence future event support.