Collaboration and meta-organisation in event tourism – Effects of the Olympic Agenda 2020 on planning the 2026 Winter Olympics. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bazzanella, Filippo; Bichler, Bernhard Fabian; Schnitzer, Martin
• Is Part Of: Tourism management perspectives. Volume 41(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Event tourism -- Brand image -- Destination -- Winter Olympic Games -- Meta-organisation -- Olympic Agenda 2020; Tourism -- Periodicals; 338.4791
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2022.100939
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-9736

Abstract

Abstract: Mega-events such as the Olympic Games are often seen as the most prestigious tourism events in the world. However, public support for such mega-events has decreased over the past decades. To counteract this negative trend, the International Olympic Committee launched the Olympic Agenda 2020 and later amendments. With Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy) hosting the Winter Olympic Games in 2026, two independent tourist destinations will be required to collaborate and share resources in multi-contextual environments as they become members of a meta-organisation. Moreover, they will have to implement the requirements of the Olympic Agenda 2020. Building on meta-organisation theory and 35 semi-structured interviews, our findings highlight the organisational challenges in times of increased awareness of sustainability and positive legacy expectations. Our research makes recommendations for the further organisation of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in six areas of action that require the attention of professionals and the support of academics. Highlights: Reveals the complexity of integrating multiple touristic brands in one event name. Explores the organisation of Olympic Games under the novel scheme of the Olympic Agenda. Introduces meta-organisations theory to studying event organisation at the destination level. Traces sustainability policies shaping the 2026 Winter Olympic Games by using 35 interviews. Proposes six areas of action for managing and organising the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.