Management and impacts of sport tourism events :a case study of Red Bull Big Wave Africa

Abstract

The focus of this study is on the management and impacts of sport tourism events. The study specifically evaluates the Red Bull Big Wave Africa (RBBWA) event as a case study. RBBWA is a unique surfing event taking place at the heart of the community and in an environmentally sensitive area (Sentinel) which is part of the Cape Peninsula National Park. Of cognisance in this study is the stakeholders' involvement, perceptions, attitudes and an understanding of costs and benefits linked to the event. The study examines the involvement of stakeholders and cost and benefits associated with the event as providing a critical view on the management aspects of the event and what impacts are evident from different stakeholders' point of view. Stakeholders involved in this study include: participants, spectators, organisers, sponsors, established businesses, informal traders and residents. Research methods deployed in this study included questionnaires, direct observations and interviews, as an attempt to gain a broader perspective of the research topic. The study reveals that there is a greater need to look at the relationship between participants and spectatorship, a dire need for community involvement, current and possible event leveraging business opportunities for local businesses, environmental control and responsibility as critical aspects in understanding the management and impacts of the event. The study contends that involvement of all stakeholders in the organisation of the RBBWA event will result in a better management of the impacts associated with the event, provide a better sport tourism experience and contribute greatly to the development of a sustainable sport tourism event industry in South Africa.