The long-term benefits of business event tourism

Abstract

The paper examines the long-term benefits of business event tourism. Rather than addressing the direct benefits that accrue to the host community in terms of tourism dollars, the study explores those impacts that, although more difficult to quantify, are likely to be substantially greater than the direct financial benefits. These other benefits include: opportunities for the development of contacts and networks; exposure to new ideas, international knowledge and world's best practice, and the flow-on effects in terms of education, innovation and collaborative research; the potential development of business alliances; and, possible increases in trade.