Events as a tool for community involvement and sustainable regional development: the mediating role of motivation on community attitudes

Abstract This study aims at exploring the impact of events on sustainable regional development. To accomplish the aim of the study, the effects of event awareness, community involvement, and destination attributes on locals’ attitudes were measured, and their motivation to encourage and support holding events was evaluated. Data were collected from 277 residents of Aqaba city through utilizing a fit sampling approach. Results of data analyses show that there are positive effects of event awareness, community involvement, and destination attributes on locals’ attitudes to hosting events and motivations. The results indicate that the events are a major factor in sustainable development through involving the community in decision-making and their actual participation in events. This study contributes to determining the importance of activities and the role of the local community in Sustainable Regional Development (SRD).