University of Rijeka, Faculty of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Opatija
Doi
Abstract
Purpose – The study aims to examine the impact of service quality dimensions
(based on the EVENTQUAL scale) on the revisit intention of sporting event and
contrast the perception between first-time and previous participants.
Design – The survey was designed to measure EVENTQUAL dimensions as independent
variables (accessibility, staff, tangibles and complementary services) and
revisit intention as the dependent variable. The moderating variable (type of
participation) was also introduced to enable comparison between the perception
of first-time (109) and previous participants (97).
Methodology – The study implemented quantitative analysis, such as descriptive
statistics, structural equation modelling (SEM) and multi-group SEM.
Findings – The SEM findings revealed a significant positive effect of tangibles
on revisit intention, while multi-group SEM results indicated the significant
positive effect of tangibles on revisit intention solely for previous visitors.
Originality – The study contributes to the existing knowledge by evaluating the
EVENTQUAL model at a multi-site sporting event, acknowledged from the
perspective of its participants. Moreover, the rafting event was observed in the
context of a sporting event activity in contrast to previous literature in the
context of adventure tourism
