TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors affecting resident support for a hallmark cultural event
T2 - The 2018 European capital of culture in Valletta, Malta
AU - Steen, Tessa van der
AU - Richards, Greg
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - Hallmark events have a great impact on a host community, and local support for such events is vital. Previous research has mainly focussed on resident attitudes towards sport events rather than cultural hallmark events. This paper analyses the 2018 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) in Valletta, Malta, to understand resident’s attitudes towards a cultural event. A resident survey a few months prior to the event generated 267 responses. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis reveals that resident support for the ECOC was influenced by levels of perceived benefits and perceived costs, in line with social exchange theory. Perceptions of benefits and costs were related to levels of community attachment, community concern, resource utilisation and European identity. Levels of community involvement and identification with European culture are particularly important in generating support for the event, in line with the European Commission’s stated aims for the event.
AB - Hallmark events have a great impact on a host community, and local support for such events is vital. Previous research has mainly focussed on resident attitudes towards sport events rather than cultural hallmark events. This paper analyses the 2018 European Capital of Culture (ECOC) in Valletta, Malta, to understand resident’s attitudes towards a cultural event. A resident survey a few months prior to the event generated 267 responses. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis reveals that resident support for the ECOC was influenced by levels of perceived benefits and perceived costs, in line with social exchange theory. Perceptions of benefits and costs were related to levels of community attachment, community concern, resource utilisation and European identity. Levels of community involvement and identification with European culture are particularly important in generating support for the event, in line with the European Commission’s stated aims for the event.
KW - COMMUNITY
KW - European Capital of Culture
KW - Hallmark events
KW - Malta
KW - PERCEPTIONS
KW - community support
KW - social exchange theory
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85075479631&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/19407963.2019.1696352
DO - 10.1080/19407963.2019.1696352
M3 - Article
SN - 1940-7963
VL - 13
SP - 107
EP - 123
JO - Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events
JF - Journal of Policy Research in Tourism, Leisure & Events
IS - 1
ER -