THE INFLUENCE OF EVENT ATTRIBUTES ON SPORT TOURISM DESTINATIONS IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Sport tourism is widely recognised as an effective, low-cost method for marketing locations and cultures. Malaysia increased its position in this area in 2023 by hosting major sporting events, boosting its reputation as a sports tourist and holiday destination. However, research frequently fails to focus on the diverse and context-specific nature of event attributes, particularly in non-Western settings. This study fills that vacuum by investigating how event features influence tourist perceptions, visit intentions, and return likelihood in Peninsular Malaysia. To further understand these patterns, a literature review was conducted and observed from the perspective of Tourism Destination Competitiveness (TDC) Theory.