Mega event as strategy for regional development The case of the 1994 Lillehammer Winter Olympics

Abstract

Mega-events like the Winter Oympics are regarded as having a significant economic impact onthe region hosting the events as well as affecting its long-term development. This was the basis for Lillehammer in Norway to host the Olympic Winter Games in 1994. In this pa.per previous research on mega-events is reviewed, the experiences of the Lillehammer Olympics are examined, and the value of hosting a mega-event as a strategy for regional development is discussed.For some time the economic impacts caused by the Olympics were very significant, and major parts of regional industries have been affected in one way or another. However, the Olympics have mostly caused an industrial intermezzo. With the exception of significant growth in the tourism industry,the long-term economic benefits for the region have turned out to be fairly modest and out of proportion to the huge costs of hosting the Games.