Sport Events and Tourism Impacts on Destinations : Changes in Tourist Arrivals and Hotel Perceptions in Innsbruck

In recent years sport major events have gained popularity and have become a worldwide-growing industry. The high level of the impacts such events can have on a host region underline their importance. The major aim of this thesis is twofold: understanding in particular the tourism impacts of sport major events and discovering the hoteliers' perceptions in the tourism region of Innsbruck. This thesis includes the analysis of secondary data as well as the analysis of data derived from an ad-hoc survey. Statistical data from the Tyrol Tourism Association regarding tourist arrivals and overnight stays back to the tourism year 1961 were analyzed. These data were used to evaluate increasing and/or decreasing numbers of incoming tourists before; during; and after a sport event has been hosted in the tourism region of Innsbruck. Primary data were collected in the form of an online survey (conducted in spring/summer 2012) among hoteliers in the tourism region of Innsbruck. Results show that most hoteliers and accommodation infrastructures support the region in hosting major sport events. They show a positive attitude towards impacts in the region. The tourism region should however concentrate more on recurring events such as the Four Hills Tournament. Furthermore Innsbruck should start planning summer sport events when tourism is lower anyway in the region.