Economic Impact and Significance: Additional Insights for Measurement in Special Events

Abstract

Special events are an important component of the tourism industry, and they attract visitors to areas where they are hosted. These events have an economic impact and significance in the local host communities, since the visitors will spend money during their travel and visits to these destinations that bring benefits. While substantial effort has been made in the past to measure the economic impact of attractions and destinations, less time has been spent on adapting these measures for the measurement of periodic special events. The purpose of this study is to further examine and update the measurement concepts associated with assessing the economic impact and significance of three different special events. Specifically, this study examined and further the study of these economic impact measurements through the examination and application of EIS measurement techniques to three events in Western Massachusetts: Great New England Air Show, Volleyball Hall of Fame Events, and Westfield International Air Show.