Abstract
The Purpose of this study is to suggest the necessity of linking and coordinating Cultural Tourism Festivals among local governments and to propose a plan for maximizing the effects of these festivals. The 'World Ceramic Exposition 2001 Korea' which took place from August 10th to October 28th was selected as a case study for the linkage plan of Cultural Tourism Festivals among local governments. Data were collected from a random sampling of visitors to 'World Ceramic Exposition 2001 Korea' from 24 to 28 October, 2001. 369 samples from a total 375 respondents were used for the final analysis. The contents of the questionnaire consisted of the cognition and satisfaction about the effects of the festival linkage among local governments and the preference of festival linkage types. The results of the analysis showed that not only festival staff but also visitors recognized the necessity of linking festivals among regions. Both visitors and festival staff had a positive attitude about the effects of the linked festival. In addition, they highly rated the 'World Ceramic Exposition 2001 Korea' as a successful festival. Visitors were satisfied with the festival. Furthermore, the number of visitors was more than staff expected. The organizing committee and staff considered the 'World Ceramic Exposition 2001 Korea' as a successful festival. The successful evaluation of the 'World Ceramic Exposition 2001 Korea' was related to the successful linkage of the festival. This study originated in the increased necessity of linking cultural Tourism Festivals among local governments. Since it is a transcendental study, it is not only significant but also limited. However, in the near future, more varied case studies about the linkages of Festivals will be conducted and these will generalize the results of this study and test the effectiveness of the linkage plans through positive analysis. For the effective linking of festivals among regions, it is necessary to study the definition of factors that affect visitors satisfaction, and determine which methods will improve visitors satisfaction.
