Sport events as catalysts for tourism and hospitality development in Libreville, Gabon

Abstract

In contemporary times, countries around the world have progressively adopted the hosting of sport events as a catalyst for the promotion of economic growth, a tendency which is reflected in consensus within extant studies highlighting the economic value of sport events. The hosting of the 2012 African Cup of Nations was heralded as an opportunity for the development of the tourism and hospitality sector. The aim of this study was to undertake an examination of the value of major sporting events hosted in Libreville, Gabon, as catalysts for the development of the tourism and hospitality sector. Adopting a qualitative approach, a purposive sampling technique was implemented in the data collection process. In total, eighteen structured interviews were conducted with key informants from relevant stakeholder organisations within the sport, tourism and hospitality cluster in Libreville. So as to succinctly elaborate on the key patterns emerging from the empirical data, a thematic analysis of the findings was conducted, whereby significant themes were identified, grouped into conceptual categories, and analysed. The findings revealed that sport events are a valuable instrument that can be used in promoting the growth of the tourism and hospitality industry in Libreville, as well as in the rest of Gabon more broadly. Additionally, the findings also enunciate the ability of sport events to attract positive outcomes in promoting the economic growth of Libreville, and in enhancing the image of Gabon. However, the findings also indicate nuanced concerns and challenges that might hinder such growth potential. Furthermore, recommendations were proposed, highlighting the need for a more broad-based approach to stakeholder collaboration, at all levels of the sport event life cycle, so as to leverage the opportunities provided by such events for promoting the economic growth of Libreville, and of the rest of Gabon, as an even more competitive destination within the sport event tourism sector than it has been in the past.