Strategic Management of Locally-Driven Tourism Events for Destination Sustainability

Authors

  • Sofia Gkarane International Hellenic University, Greece
  • Maria Gianni Hellenic Open University, Greece
  • Apostolos Goulas University of Thessaly, Greece
  • Ilias Tsotsas International Hellenic University, Greece
  • Zacharias Papanikolaou Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17528280

Keywords:

small-scale events, regional development, stakeholder collaboration, place-making, tourism, cultural festivals, sport tourism.

Abstract

This paper explores how small-scale event organisers manage their initiatives to contribute to sustainable destination development. Based on qualitative interviews with organisers of local cultural and sports events held in Greece, our findings highlight strategies for marketing positioning, resource mobilisation, stakeholder collaboration, and legacy building. Despite constraints and challenges, organisers appear to act as destination managers in practice, balancing tourism impacts with community goals.

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Published

2025-11-04