Thesis (MTech (Tourism and Hospitality Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2006This research examines the ways in which local residents living in close proximity to the
event perceived the Berg River Canoe Marathon as a major event in the Western Cape.
By identif'ying these different patterns ofperceptions within the community, it is possible
to gain a better understanding of both the tangible and intangible impacts of events and
how they differently affect the quality of life of local residents as individuals and the
community as a whole. The research method was based on a convenient sampling
approach. A questionnaire survey of two hundred residents was conducted and five
different dimensions of perceiving the impacts of events were examined ranging from
extremely negative to very positive. The impacts analysed included social, economic and
environmental impacts. The residents in all the five locations perceived community pride
and entertainment to be very positive and were in favour ofthe continuation of the event.
1n profiling the residents who held each of the representations identified, it was found
that the most negative group was those residents who had little or no involvement in
tourism and are not interested in canoeing as a sport. Thus, it is necessary for event
organisers and event managers to get the members of community involved in the
planning and management of the event to spread the benefits to a larger portion of the
community
