Congress tourism and leisure tendencies with special focus on economic aspects

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to show the economic impact of congress tourism and the sectors involved. In South Tyrol congress tourism may be considered niche tourism. It does not concern the South Tyrolean valleys, where tourist impact is high, but only the main towns.

Design/methodology/approach

The study consists of a quantitative analysis. A questionnaire has been drawn up and handed over to conference attendees during the last day of their presence at the event. The questionnaire is structured in three main parts: characteristics of the conference delegates and their stay, expenses related to the conference, and other expenses. The second and third sections aim at detailing expenditure and subdividing it into the following items: registration fees, transport, accommodation, food and drink, goods and services, cultural activities, sports and entertainment.

Findings

In South Tyrol the average total expenditure of congress delegates per day is higher than that of a traditional tourist. It must be considered that non‐event‐related expenses are very often included in the registration fees under the item “social programme”. As a consequence the total expenses are in fact higher. The question of registration fees actually plays a very important role, as it is a financially rather relevant item from which the destination normally benefits almost in full.

Originality/value

The survey succeeds in analysing the expenditure of conference delegates not only for board and lodging but also for leisure activities, as well as for the purchase of other goods and services like cultural, sports and entertainment activities during their conference stay in the region of South Tyrol.

Citation

Pechlaner, H., Zeni, A. and Raich, F. (2007), "Congress tourism and leisure tendencies with special focus on economic aspects", Tourism Review, Vol. 62 No. 3/4, pp. 32-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/16605370780000319