The impact of events in boosting local economic development: A case study of Port St Johns, South Africa

• Main Authors: Lwazi Apleni, Unathi Henama
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AfricaJournals 2020-01-01
• Series: African Journal of Hospitality, Tourism and Leisure
• Subjects: local economic development; events; impact; port st johns; eastern cape
• Online Access: https://www.ajhtl.com/uploads/7/1/6/3/7163688/article_9_vol_9_1__2020_unizul.pdf

This paper scrutinizes the impact of events in boosting local economic development (LED) in Port St Johns (PSJ) situated in the Eastern Cape (EC) Province, South Africa (SA). Globally, events are emerging as a significant and growing sector. Furthermore, over the years, many cultural festivals and major cultural events have grown, their impacts have increasingly come under the scrutiny from funders, policy-makers and planners. Additionally, events are seen as having significant socio-cultural impacts in the communities they are held. For instance, the EC Province has been hosting a number of events lately which have led to the change of the face of the communities they are held. Such events included but not limited to the popular annual Standard Bank National Art Festival (event held in Grahamstown) and the Isingqesethu Wild Coast cultural festival held in PSJ. However, such events do not receive sufficient support from government, more especially local government level. As such, this study is based on the social impacts theory. On the other hand, the study utilised a mixed methodology technique to explore and discuss the role local government could play in community development using events. In this study, qualitative data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews and quantitative data was collected by means of questionnaires. The study found that local people were fully cognizant of events that are taking place in the area of PSJ. This could be attributed to the fact that the PSJ has numerous annual events taking place. However, a concerted effort has to be undertaken by local authorities and other pertinent stakeholders in terms of management of such events. This is to ensure that these events do not have a negative impact in PSJ communities.