Residents’ Perceptions of Socio-economic Impacts of a Regional Trade Fair in Ghana

Abstract

The growing trade fair economy has motivated studies relating to trade fair planning, effectiveness, and evaluation, among others. However, limited studies have explored residents’ perception of socio-economic impacts of trade fairs on communities. Since residents’ negative attitude can affect sustainability of trade fairs, it is important for organisers to understand residents’ perception of the socio-economic impacts of such events. The present study investigated residents’ perceptions of the impacts of a regional trade fair in Ghana. Through a quantitative research design, a questionnaire survey of 447 residents of How as undertaken through a convenience sampling technique in public places and houses. Kruscal-Wallis One-Way ANOVA tests indicate that perceptions of residents did not vary by gender. The results further confirm the inconsistency of socio-demographic variables in explaining residents’ perception of event impacts. There was significant difference between age groups on some statements while others showed no difference. Generally, residents were positive toward the impacts of the fair.