ABSTRACT
The staging of major events is emerging as a major strategy used by governments in an attempt to attract non-residential individuals to a particular destination. The use of event tourism to boost national and regional development tends to make government and tourism authorities sensitive to the impact of tourism. Given the increasing competition between nations and regions for generating incomes, the hosting of major events can make a significant economic contribution. Event tourism aims to create ‘tourist attractions capable of generating travel demand or satisfying visitor needs’ (Getz, 1991, p. 45). In Australia, the state government of Victoria is at the forefront of generating economic growth by the hosting of hallmark sporting events which also contributes to raising its profile nationally and internationally.
