Event Tourism Terms Glossary
Your Complete Guide To The Language Of Event Tourism—Covering Destinations, Economics, Event Types, And Community Impact.
Event tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments in global travel, blending sports, culture, business, and entertainment into unforgettable experiences that attract millions of visitors each year. But with growth comes complexity—and a lot of industry jargon. 🤔
If you’ve ever wondered “What exactly is a hallmark event?” or “How do DMOs fit into event strategy?”—this glossary is for you.
Below, you’ll find an all-in-one guide to the most important terms in event tourism. Whether you’re a destination, organizer, sponsor, or tourism professional, this is your quick reference to understand the language of the industry. ✨
🌍 Core Concepts
Event Tourism
Travel motivated by the desire to attend specific events, such as festivals, sports competitions, conferences, or cultural gatherings.
Visitor Economy
The economic activity generated by visitors, including spending on accommodation, food, transportation, and event tickets.
Tourism Product
The combination of services and experiences offered to tourists, such as event packages, tours, and accommodations.
Destination Appeal
The attractiveness of a location based on its events, amenities, cultural offerings, and overall visitor experience.
🏟 Destinations & Organizations
Destination Marketing Organization (DMO)
An entity that promotes a location as a travel destination, often responsible for attracting and supporting event tourism.
Convention Bureau
An organization that markets a city or region as a destination for conventions, exhibitions, and large-scale events.
Host City
The city or municipality where an event takes place, providing infrastructure, services, and local support.
Capacity Building
Efforts to improve a destination’s skills, infrastructure, or resources to better host and leverage events.
💰 Economic & Strategic Impact
Economic Impact
The effect an event has on the local economy, including visitor spending, job creation, and tax revenue.
Legacy Impact / Event Legacy
The long-term benefits of hosting an event, such as improved infrastructure, brand recognition, or sustained tourism growth.
Multiplier Effect
The indirect benefits of visitor spending, such as increased demand for local suppliers and job creation.
Ancillary Revenue
Income generated from non-ticket sources such as merchandise, concessions, parking, and sponsorship activations.
Overtourism
When visitor numbers exceed the capacity of a destination, leading to negative effects on the environment and community.
Sustainable Tourism
Tourism that accounts for long-term economic, social, and environmental impacts.
🎭 Event Types & Segments
MICE
Acronym for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions—a major category of business-driven event tourism.
Sport Tourism
Travel to participate in or watch sporting events, tournaments, or competitions.
Cultural Tourism
Travel focused on experiencing the arts, heritage, and cultural activities of a destination.
Festivalization
The trend of cities or regions creating or expanding festivals to attract visitors and stimulate tourism.
Signature Event
A flagship or unique event that defines a destination’s brand identity.
Hallmark Event
A major event so strongly associated with a destination that it becomes synonymous with its identity (e.g., Mardi Gras in New Orleans).
Mega Event
A large-scale event with international reach and major economic impact (e.g., the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Expo).
Incentive Travel
Travel experiences offered as rewards for performance, often organized around events.
📅 Planning & Management
Event Portfolio
The collection of events hosted by a destination, managed strategically to drive visitation throughout the year.
Event Calendar
A published schedule of upcoming events in a destination for marketing and planning purposes.
Event Policy
Guidelines and regulations governing how events are hosted and supported in a destination.
Event Tourism Strategy
A destination’s long-term plan for attracting, hosting, and leveraging events to boost tourism growth.
Bid Process
The competitive procedure by which destinations compete for the right to host major events.
Event Migration
The movement of events from one destination to another, often for economic or strategic reasons.
Seasonality
Fluctuations in tourism demand based on time of year. Events are often used to counteract slow periods.
Shoulder Season
The period between peak and off-peak tourism seasons, often targeted for event scheduling to boost visitation.
👥 Community & Stakeholders
Community Engagement
The involvement of local residents and organizations in planning and executing events to ensure a positive impact.
Cultural Exchange
The sharing of traditions and experiences between visitors and locals, often facilitated by events.
Social Impact
The influence an event has on the social fabric of the community, including pride, cohesion, and identity.
Stakeholder
Any individual, group, or organization with an interest in the planning, execution, or outcomes of an event.
Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
Collaboration between government entities and private sector partners to fund or deliver events.
📊 Event Operations
Event Accreditation
The process of granting official recognition or credentials to participants, media, or staff at an event.
Event Cluster
A group of related events scheduled close in time or location to maximize tourism impact.
Event Footprint
The physical, economic, and environmental impact of an event on its host destination.
Event Lifecycle
The stages an event goes through—from conception and bidding to planning, execution, and post-event evaluation.
Event Branding
The creation of a unique identity, logo, or positioning strategy for an event to attract attendees and sponsors.
Event Management Company (EMC)
A professional business specializing in the design, planning, and delivery of events.
Event Migration
When an event relocates from one destination to another for strategic, financial, or audience-related reasons.
🧳 Travel & Trade
Familiarization (FAM) Trip
A hosted tour for media, event planners, or travel agents to showcase a destination’s event capabilities.
Tour Operator
A company that packages and sells travel and event experiences to tourists.
Travel Trade
The network of businesses involved in selling travel products and event packages to consumers.
Repeat Visitation
The return of attendees or tourists to the same destination for future events.
Attraction
A place, activity, or event that draws visitors to a destination.