Title: Stakeholders in maintaining hallmark tourism events under the Covid-19 storm

Authors: Dang Thi Phuong Anh

Addresses: Faculty of Tourism Studies, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-USSH), 336 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi, 100000, Vietnam

Abstract: This paper aims to determine the key role of stakeholders directly impacting the survival of hallmark events under the Covid-19 storm. It also highlights the dynamics between stakeholders when faced with significant challenges. A qualitative research methodology was adopted, using a case study design with three events still organised during 2020 and 2021 in Vietnam. The interview sampling framework based on stakeholder theory helps to identify six primary and nine secondary stakeholders to conduct in-depth interviews. As a result, the key role of stakeholders in event tourism has to be changed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The tendency of the organisation of events before the Covid-19 pandemic was centralisation and for the central state to play the key roles. The Covid-19 crisis resulted in decentralisation and the key roles to be executed by the local state, community, and businesses. Research results describe stakeholders' dynamics in crisis management for event tourism. These are suggestions for implementing the policies and revising tourism development in post-Covid 19.

Keywords: tourism; event tourism; hallmark event; festival; stakeholders; Covid-19; crisis management; central state; community; businesses; empowerment; Vietnam.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2023.132229

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2023 Vol.13 No.4, pp.348 - 362

Received: 04 May 2022
Received in revised form: 01 Nov 2022
Accepted: 01 Nov 2022
Published online: 13 Jul 2023 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article