Event tourism planning: Addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice?

Abstract

Local governments have long appreciated events as drivers of tourism for their destination, with many developing strategies to increase tourist numbers through an attractive event portfolio. Depending on the overarching policy direction, such events may/may not reflect the needs of all in the community and instead may serve to (further) marginalize some. This chapter explores how local government events policies, strategic plans and funding practices in Aotearoa New Zealand address justice, equity, diversity and inclusion for their community. The documents of 11 local governments were critically examined. Each was analyzed using a content evaluation protocol focused on finding evidence of emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion in the plans, processes and practices. Findings show a common rhetoric about the importance of events and the benefits they can create for the local community, with little recognition of the need to ensure those benefits are distributed equitably. Around half of the documents mentioned diversity and/or inclusion in very general terms, but no demonstration of what these terms meant or how they could be achieved through the events portfolio. Only about one quarter of the local governments were seen to be meaningfully addressing diversity, equity, inclusion and justice for their community