Local festivals, social capital and sustainable destination development: experiences in East London
Local festivals, social capital and sustainable destination development: experiences in East London
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2016
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eng
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application/pdf
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17 pages
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Journal of Sustainable Tourism
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Abstract
This paper explores the nature of social capital ar ising from engagement in local fest ivals and
the implications of this for the social sustainability of an emerging dest inat ion. Two case
studies are developed from a longitudinal research project which investigates local festivals
staged in the Hackney Wick and Fish Island area adjacent to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in
East London, UK between 2008 and 2014. This area has been directly affected by extensive
development and regeneration efforts associated with the staging of the London 2012
Olympic Games. The two fest ivals considered here respond to the challenges and
opportunit ies ar ising for local people as the area changes. One fest ival aims to foster a sense
of community by creat ing shared experiences and improving communication across diverse
groups. The other draws together the cultural community, links them to the opportunities
ar ising as the area emerges as a destinat ion, and attracts visitors. These fest ivals increase
social capital in the area, but its distribut ion is very uneven. The accrual of social capital
exacerbates existing inequalit ies within the host community, favouring the "haves" at the
expense of the "have nots". There are tensions between the development of social capital
and social sustainability in this emerging destinat ion.