An Investigation into Cultural Events and Tourism on the Isle of Man

  • Brychan Thomas South Wales Business School, University of South Wales, United Kingdom
  • Lisa Powell South Wales Business School, University of South Wales, United Kingdom
  • Simon Thomas South Wales Business School, University of South Wales, United Kingdom
Keywords: Isle of Man, cultural events, tourism

Abstract

This paper investigates the significance of cultural events for the development of tourism on the Isle of Man. Historically the Isle of Man captured tourists from areas around the Irish Sea including England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This was especially the case with working-class tourists from the industrial North of England, North Wales, Dublin and Belfast. These tourism markets were prominent in the late 19th, and early and mid 20th centuries. Recent tourist data shows a fall in visitor numbers to the Isle of Man which has taken effect in post war years. In order to explore this decline, and the significance of cultural events for the development of tourism in recent years, a number of research methods have been deployed involving secondary data to assess tourism development and tourism sector growth determinants. As a consequence an investigation was undertaken involving sequential parts. Part one considered trends in the 19th, 20th and early 21st centuries drawing primarily on secondary data, existing research and archival material. Part two investigated cultural events to provide findings and analysis for the tourism industry on the Island. Lastly, part three assessed the nature and importance of events according to the modern evolution of the sector. External (international) and internal (island) influences on development were considered. From the findings conclusions showing prominent issues from the trends observed have enabled consideration of the importance of cultural events for tourism development.

References

Bowdin, G, et al. (2006). Events Management. Amsterdam: Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080457154
British Arts Festival Association (2008). Audiences at Cultural Events. London: BA.
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) (2016). Map of the Isle of Man. BBC News, 21 April 2016.
Caanavan, B. (2015). Marketing a tourism industry in late stage decline: The case of the Isle of Man. Cogent Business and Management, 2(1), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2015.1004227
Engels, D. W. (1980). Looking forward via hindsight: A rationale for reviewing our ideological roots. The Personnel and Guidance Journal, 59, 183-185. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2164-4918.1980.tb00527.x
IOM (2017). Isle of Man Stamps & Coins. Issue Number 156.
Isle of Man Government (2013). Tourism Visitor Strategy. Douglas: Economic Affairs Cabinet Office.
Isle of Man Government (2019). Isle of Man Passenger Survey Report 2018. Douglas: Economic Affairs Cabinet Office, April, GD 2019/0026.
Johnson, H. C. (2016). Encountering Urbanization on Jersey: Development, Sustainability, and Spaciality in a Small Island Setting. Urban Island Studies, 2, 50-71. https://doi.org/10.20958/uis.2016.3
Langen, F., & Garcia, B. (2009). Measuring the Impacts of Large Scale Cultural Events: A Literature Review. Liverpool, Impacts 08, Joint programme of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University Commissioned by Liverpool City Council.
Leedy, P. (2001). Practical Research. New Jersey: Merrill.
Malecki, E. J. (1991). Technology and Economic Development: The Dynamics of Local, Regional, and National Change. New York: Longman.
Montgomery, J. (1999). Historical Research Methods. Faculty of Education, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, pp. 1-3.
Mousavi, S. S., Doratli, N., Mousavi, S. N., & Moradiahari, F. (2016). Defining Cultural Tourism, International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Sustainable Development (CASD-2016). Dec. 1-2, 2016, London (UK), pp. 70-75.
OECD. (2009). The Impact of Culture on Tourism. Paris: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Powell, L., Thomas, S., & Thomas, B. (2010). Regeneration schemes in the South Wales Valleys: A stimulus for innovative heritage enterprise development. International Business Management Journal, 4(3), 177-188. https://doi.org/10.3923/ibm.2010.177.188
Powell, L., Thomas, S., & Thomas, B. (2011). Innovation and heritage entrepreneurship development in the South Wales Valleys. Annals of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 2(1), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.3402/aie.v2i1.6001
Schumaker, S., & McMillan, J. H. (1993). Research in education: A conceptual introduction (3rd ed). New York: Harper Collins College Publishers.
Seldes, G. (1985). The great thoughts: From Abelard to Zola, from ancient Greece to contemporary America, the ideas that have shaped the World. New York: Ballantine Books.
Sheeley, V. L. (2002). Historical Research Methods, Research Document, Department of Educational Leadership. Bowling Green, KY: Western Kentucky University, pp. 1-3.
Thomas, B., & Thomas, S. (2012). Cultural Events and Tourism in Jersey. The International Journal of Research into Island Cultures, 6(1), 114-131.
Thomas, B., Thomas, S., & Powell, L. (2017). The Development of Key Characteristics of Welsh Island Cultural Identity and Sustainable Tourism in Wales. Scientific Culture, 3(1), 23-39.
Umphrey, M. L. (2002). Creating an Original Interpretation: The Research Process. Retrieved from http://www.edheritage.org/wolves/researchmethods.htm, pp. 1-2.
United Nations. (2020). World Population Prospects: The 2020 Revision. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division, United Nations, 2020.
Visit Isle of Man. (2019). Retrieved from https://www.visitisleofman.com/getting-here.
Worldometers (2020). Retrieved from www.Worldometers.info
Yeoman, I. et al. (2004). Festival and Events Management: An International Arts and Culture Perspective. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Young, R. (1987). The Role of Historical Research in Higher Education. ASHE Annual Meeting Paper.
Published
2020-10-30
Section
Articles