Previous Olympic Destinations Lessons †Free Samples to Students

Question: Discuss about the Previous Olympic Destinations Lessons. Answer: Introduction A hall mark event can be defined as an all inclusive colossal happening which takes place in a given location over a period of time. Such events do not only attract a wide number of participants but also brings on board bid audiences. Hallmark events are in most cases acknowledged globally hence the audience may not necessary have to travel to the stadiums to watch the games but can follow the proceedings in front of their screens (Bladen, Kennell and Abson, 2012, p.50). A good example of a hallmark event is the Commonwealth Games which are currently going on in Goldcoast, Australia. This event was chosen as an object of references due to the fact that most of its characteristics fit the definition of a hallmark event. Additionally, the event attracts many individuals to its location which comes with numerous touristic values to the hosting country. The massive turn out in the current event in Australia implies that various individuals from different walks of life have managed to int eract with Australias tourist attraction sites which are a lift to the tourism industry (Collins, Jones, and Munday, 2019, p.830) In this essay, the features of a hallmark event and their touristic significance shall be discussed. The discussions are derived from peer reviewed articles whose contents shall be adequately analyzed in a bid to address the topic in question. According to Bowdin, Allen, Toole and McDonnell (2011, p.57), mega events are always marked to take place in a given cycle of time. For instance, an event may happen after every two or four years. The space between the occurrence of one event and a similar one at a later date is specifically meant to give room for planning and coordination of the various elements considered crucial for the success of the event. The authors therefore note that hallmark events require careful planning where ideas are agreed upon and implemented based on their effectiveness and level of alignment to the organizers objectives. The planning of events is speared headed by a team of competent individuals each charged with a specific responsibility and standards set such that the board members are able to gauge their progress during the planning process (Getz,2005, p.11). The authors also note that careful planning and proper time management before the commencement of the event plays a crucial role in enhanc ing its success. They subsequently suggest that the planning process for hallmark events ought to be strictly guided by the events core objectives, aims as well as purposes. This implies that there are targets which the planning committee must set and yearn to attain. As noted by Muller (2015, p.19), hallmark events will never cease to attract a massive following. As pointed out earlier, these events do not only attract the participants but also does the audience or fans that come to support their favorite performers especially in cases where the mega event involves sporting activities. The Commonwealth games which are currently ongoing have attracted thousands of participants from different corners of the world. In addition, the live streaming clearly indicates a massive turnout in the stadiums which easily translates to a boom in the population in major cities especially those surrounding the sporting arenas. The author therefore emphasizes that hallmark events have the tendency, which has been proven over time, to attract many people to the hosting location. This provides a unique opportunity for the tourism fraternity in the hosting nation as they are able to shows their touristic endowments to the visitors from all walks of life. Despite the fact that the individuals attending the events come objectively to either perform or support their people, the tourism sector is well in a position to attract audience to their side through strategic marketing (Getz, 2007, p.28). For instance, at the stadiums, the marketers can interact with the fans and participant increasing their awareness about nearby tourism sites and elements before encouraging them to visit these areas. Hallmark events therefore go a long way in enhancing both local and international tourism. Wide Media Coverage Hallmark events are often global events. As such, it is practically impossible for each individual to physically attend these events. As pointed out by Arnegger and Herz (2016, p.67), most people tend to know about these events due to the high media publicity mostly through the internet, radio and television. The periods prior to the hallmark event is usually punctuated with consistent awareness through marketing and advertising of the events elements, period, location and the ticket details in case there is no free entry. Apart from the wide coverage during event marketing, the actual event is streamed live and hence people across the globe get to have a touch of the proceedings through their screens. The authors explain that good media coverage works to the very advantage of the hosting nation. The hosting nation has a unique opportunity to showcase its facilities to the millions of people watching all over the world. In some cases, the cameras move from the stadiums and roam to co ver the beautiful landscapes, water bodies, museums and parks especially those features located near the events main locations (Getz, 2008, p.420). This in itself shows the world a lot about the country which in turn may arouse interest among the audience on the need to visit the given country and tour the sites. For instance during the Commonwealth games, the countrys facilities and high level infrastructural development has been marketed to the whole world. This has a special way of changing the scope of tourism in Australia not only today but for many months to come. Kwiatkowski (2016, p. 510) highlights the aspect of high cost as a major feature of hallmark events. The planning and actual implementation of the events usually involves the use of many resources. For instance, when the hallmark event involves games like the Commonwealth Games, the hosting nation has to spend a lot in preparing the participation arena. This may involve building new stadiums in addition to rehabilitating and repairing the already existing ones. Such activities are costly hence the need for adequate financial adjustment and lobby for resources. The preparations are however less of a problem in developed nations since they already have most of these facilities. However, the author notes that the cost incurred by the hosting nation while preparing for the event ought to be compensated through other forms of revenue. The fraternity that comes to mind at this point is that of hospitality and tourism. The attendees are likely to be booked in hotel rooms and taken around in the course of the event. The fans who accompany the participants also use these facilities at a fee which serves to the advantage of the industry (Graham, Goldblatt and Delpy, 2005, p.64). It is however important to stay strategic with both the products and services in a bid to maximize on the opportunity and hence develop the tourism sector. Transformation of the Hosting Location Janson (2008, p.22) in his article on Review and Analysis of Tourism points out that hallmark events tend to have long lasting transformations on the hosting nation and more specifically the hosting locations. When, for instance, the event involves sporting activities, there may be an inevitable need to create space for the development of stadia. Such moves can see areas which are basically rural being transformed into urban centers after the inclusion of the infrastructure. The author goes on to note that transformation during preparations for such events may include overhauling of land, creation of new roads, communication systems in addition to the establishment of other modern set ups. An improvement in the network of roads and communication system in a given area automatically leads to encroachment of an urban set up. Hallmark events therefore come and go but they never leave the hosting nation the same again. A good infrastructural set up is a major boost to tourist activities in any given area. The properly done roads increase accessibility to such locations (Hall, 2009, p.270). Consequently, the tourists are able to conveniently move from one place to another as they watch and enjoy the sites. At the same time, the highlighted communication systems do not only help the locals in these regions but equally eases exchange and passage of information. Good communication and efficient flow of information is another factor which facilitates tourism. Janson therefore connects this hallmark event feature to its touristic significance by noting that urban transformation encourages mobility which in turn uplifts tourist activities. According to Knott, Swat and Viser (2015, p.9), mega events have the unique characteristic of changing the environment of the hosting location. Despite the fact that some of these effects may be negative, a good number of the transitions end up altering the living standards of the hosting community for the better. Hallmark events are accompanied by a number of economic activities. For instance, the hosting community has an opportunity to sell their merchandise not only to the participants but the other attendees as well. Depending on the period that the event takes, the individuals can make good use of this timeline to make exclusive sales and introduce productive corporate contacts which can in turn help them expand on their areas of business specialization. As highlighted by the authors, hallmark events tend to have positive economic impacts especially on the hosting society. This in turn leads to a rise in their living standards which also encourages the societys reception to othe r government initiatives in such areas. For instance, when the tourism fraternity earmarks the given society for the expansion of its activities, the community is likely to remain positive as such initiatives are likely to enhance their lives economically (Hamilton City Council, 2008, p.2). Increase in crime, congestion and health factors As pointed out by Hills (2016, p. 6), hallmark events may not only come with positive effects on the hosting community but equally involves other features which may be detrimental to the community in the long run. To begin with, such events usually involve a sudden rise in the population within a given locality. An upsurge in population attract various other shortcomings like a sudden increase in criminal activities most commonly picketers and muggers. This may expose the society in bad light which in turn hinders future human activities in such areas. For instance, tourists may avoid such locations while citing insecurity as a major issue. Secondly, a sudden increase in population increases the level of contact between people which leads to easy spread of diseases especially the contagious ones. The organizers may therefore need to put in place the right control measures to ensure that such eventualities, however inevitable, do not end up ruining the success of the hallmark event. F urthermore, in areas characterized by poor network of roads and communication systems, a sudden upsurge in population due to the hallmark event may result in traffic clogging which hinders movement of people from one place to another. A good network of roads would therefore be appropriate in enhancing easy traffic flow which culminates in the overall event success (Hill, 2016, p.8). Conclusion The discussion above reveals the perceptions and elements that adequately describe a hallmark event. The events do come with greater good; this explains why most countries are always dying for the opportunity to win the hosting rights (Holt, 2004, p. 5). A nation has to bid and prove to the board that it has what it takes to host a hallmark event. This urge could be attributed to the attractive features that punctuate the phenomenon. Despite the high cost likely to be incurred especially during the preparatory stages, hallmark events end up making positive economic impacts on the hosting society (Janson, 2008, p.7). These events also involve wide media coverage, high visitor attractiveness and most importantly, urban transformation which in the long run improve the living standards of the hosting nation. The basic prerequisite for the success of a hallmark event is the formulation of appropriate objectives which guide a proper planning and preparation period. When each of these aspec ts are put well in place, the success of a hallmark event always overflows not only to the organizers and hosting community but also the country as a whole (Lin, 2013, p.60) References Arnegger, J. and Herz, M. (2016). Economic and destination image impacts of mega-events in emerging tourist destinations.Journal of Destination Marketing Management, 5(2), pp.76-85. Bladen, C., Kennell, J. and Abson, E. (2012).Events management. New York: Routledge. Bowdin, G., Allen, J., O' Toole, W., Harris, R. and McDonnell, I. (2011).Events management. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsiever Ltd, pp.79-111. Collins, A., Jones, C. and Munday, M. (2009). Assessing the environmental impacts of mega sporting events: Two options?.Tourism Management, [online] 30(6), pp.828-837. Available at: https://eds.b.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?vid=1sid=e4d2e293-8f03-4614-b629-4721e6fa8686%40sessionmgr120bdata=Jn [Accessed 23 Oct. 2017]. Getz, D. (2005). 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