Sustainability of mega events: Challenges, requirements and results. The case-study of the World Ski Championship St. Moritz 2003

Mega events are nowadays seen as an important source to generate primary income and to overcome seasonality in tourism destinations. Special events therefore became one of the fastest growing types of tourism attractions. On the other hand, they are known to potentially have a disruptive impact on the ecosystem, the society and also the local and regional economy if organised without careful attention to basic principles of sustainability. The example of the Ski World Championship 2003 in St.Moritz Switzerland is used to illustrate an integrative sustainability monitoring concept which was used in practice and gained international attention.