Empirical Analysis of Local Residents’ Support in a Selected Special Event

Abstract

The support and involvement in an event by local citizens will indirectly affect the performance of event activities, and local communities would be influenced in their behavior towards cooperation in planning and holding the function. This study intend to investigate the level of residents’ support and local community participation towards the Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival, Putrajaya (FLORIA Putrajaya). Besides, this study attempts to determine the relationship between local hospitality towards the event sustainability. Sample population for this study included the visitors who visited Putrajaya, Malaysia. The results were significant between overall variables (local residents support; local community participations; local hospitality) of local residents’ support toward event sustainability and destination image (ß=.120, p<0.01). The findings of this study can be used by event organisers, particularly in Putrajaya, in reviewing the current movements of participation by local residents or host-community towards the event operations. In addition, the outcome of this study may increase the awareness of event organisers regarding the importance of getting support from the local residents towards event sustainability and host-destination image.