Small-Scale Cultural Tourism Events: Residents' Perceptions on Their Quality and Impacts

Abstract

In the present article researchers feature the examination of the opinions and attitudes of the residents of Chios island in Greece. It is based on the investigation of both the characteristics (quality, potential, organization) of the island's main annual cultural events (Rocket War, Agas, and Mostra) and their possible impact on the local society, economy, tourism, and natural environment. Cluster analysis was used to classify the residents under three groups: Embracers, Realists, Neutrals. Each group has particular characteristics and a clearly defined opinion about local cultural tourism events and their impact on a local level. According to the main findings of the primary research some particularly interesting aspects of the effects of local cultural tourism events both on the local level and on the island's tourism development emerge. The conclusions drawn from the elaboration of such findings afford an opportunity to understand better the general impact of cultural events and by the same token to assist government bodies, residents, and other stakeholders in maximizing benefits, whenever possible.