Conceptual framework for strategic destination branding through leveraging home-grown sport events

Janice Hemmonsbey, Tembi M. Tichaawa, Brendon Knott

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The destination branding discourse remains widely contested among academics and practitioners, as there is, as yet, no commonly accepted framework for the destination branding theory. Moreover, the theory underpinning sport event leveraging towards informed branding practices, especially in the developing destination context, is lacking. This paper conceptualises the leveraging of home-grown sport event leveraging for the South African destination brand. Empirical findings of an in-depth qualitative study conducted with key industry stakeholders is presented. The findings reveal the significant effect of home-grown sport on destination branding through competitive brand positioning. It further conceptualises the role of leveraging strategies and activities of stakeholders during the hosting of a sport event to achieve augmented destination branding benefits. Although the above applies to both the developed and the developing contexts, distinguishing socio-economic factors affecting developing nations has led to the adaptation of a sport event leveraging framework. The paper makes a contribution from a developing country’s perspective on topics investigated largely in the developed, global north contexts. Further research questions are identified to inform future destination branding studies that wish to derive more definitive concepts on strategic destination branding informed by sport event leveraging.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)81-98
Number of pages18
JournalSouth African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education and Recreation
Volume40
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Destination branding
  • Emerging nations
  • Home-grown sport events
  • South africa
  • Sport event leveraging

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education
  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Conceptual framework for strategic destination branding through leveraging home-grown sport events'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this