The role of mega sport events in the improvement of tourism offer in the city of Pula

Organizacija velikih sportskih događaja smatra se gospodarski iznimno korisnom aktivnošću, jer iako ti događaji nemaju primarno turističko značenje, posjeduju izrazito velike turističke popratne učinke. Sport u turizmu različitim programima nije samo čimbenik unaprjeđenja turističke ponude, nego i generator brojnih učinaka. Važnost ugošćavanja manifestacija „Arena Ice Fever Pula MMXII“ i „Ironman 70.3. Pula“ generira značajne koristi za grad Pulu odnosno regiju domaćina. Pula je u trenutku održavanja manifestacija bila u fokusu svjetske pažnje, makar i na kratko vrijeme, što je potencijalno iniciralo motivaciju posjetitelja da posjete ovu turističku destinaciju i u budućnosti. Osim toga, stanovnici stječu ponos time što su ugostili te događaje. Uvidjelo se da se uz sportske, mogu postići i drugi politički i društveni ciljevi. Primarno istraživanje se provodilo online putem, anketiranjem lokalnog stanovništva kako bi se spoznalo koja je uloga u unaprjeđenju turističke ponude grada, jesu li zadovoljena očekivanja organizatora i samog Grada te koji su učinak manifestacije imale na lokalnu zajednicu. Prema provedenom istraživanju, lokalno stanovništvo je suglasno kako su manifestacije ostavile mnogobrojne pozitivne utjecaje na Grad. Unaprijedila se raznolikost i kvaliteta turističke ponude, povećala se izvanpansionska potrošnja te se produžila turistička sezona.The organization of major sporting events is considered to be economically extremely useful, because even though these events do not have a primary tourist significance, their feedback on tourism is of great importance. Sport in tourism, with its various programs, is not only factor in imroving tourist offer, but also strikes as a generator of many other effects. The importance of hosting the events such as „Arena Ice Fever Pula MMXII“ and „Ironman 70.3. Pula“ generates significant benefits for the host city and the host region. As a result, Pula has been the focus of world attention, if only for a short period, but with the final result in becoming the potential tourist destination of may visitors. In addition, residents gain pride by being hosts of this events. It has been perceived that other than sports, other political and social objectives can be achieved. The research was conducted through on-line survey by interviewing local people with the goal of reaching the main role in the improvement of the tourist offer of the city and whether the expectations of the promotors and those of the city of Pula were reached, as well as what effects did the events had on the local community. According to the conducted research, the local population agrees that the events left many postive impacts on the town. The variety and quality of tourist offer has been improved, extra consumption and services have been increased and tourism season itself has been prolonged