Cost–Benefit Analysis of Mega Events and Tourism Development: Olympics, World Cups, and Beyond

Mega events such as the Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, and World Expos represent some of the most significant catalysts of tourism development worldwide. These events mobilize massive public and private investment, attract millions of international visitors, and generate widespread media exposure for host destinations. Yet, they also entail substantial financial, social, and environmental costs, sparking long-standing debates regarding their net value. This paper conducts a comprehensive cost–benefit analysis of mega events, examining their implications for tourism development in both advanced and emerging economies. By synthesizing insights from academic literature, institutional reports, and comparative case studies, the research explores the extent to which mega events deliver sustainable economic returns and equitable social outcomes. The analysis identifies four domains central to understanding mega events: financial and infrastructural investment, tourism demand and destination branding, socio-cultural and community impacts, and long-term urban regeneration legacies. Findings reveal that while mega events generate short-term tourism booms, infrastructural upgrades, and heightened international visibility, their benefits are often overstated and unevenly distributed. In advanced economies, strong institutional frameworks and diversified economies mitigate risks, allowing legacies such as urban renewal and global branding to persist. In emerging economies, however, high opportunity costs, debt burdens, displacement of communities, and underutilization of infrastructure frequently undermine promised benefits. The study proposes an integrative framework that situates mega events within broader tourism development strategies, emphasizing the importance of realistic forecasting, transparent governance, and sustainability-oriented planning. It argues that while mega events can be valuable tourism development tools, their success depends on rigorous cost–benefit assessment, inclusive participation, and alignment with long-term policy goals. Policy recommendations include adopting adaptive governance models, enhancing accountability in bidding and implementation, and ensuring community-centered legacies that extend well beyond the closing ceremonies.

کلیدواژه ها:

Mega events ، cost–benefit analysis ، Olympics ، FIFA World Cup ، tourism development ، sustainability ، legacy.