Spatial agglomeration effects on eSports events: An intra- and inter-industry and regional analysis approach

With the increasing popularity of eSports, tourism marketers and scholars are particularly interested in the spillover effects of large sporting events, as well as the motivation to attend them. Using a demand-driven model, this study explores the intra- and inter-regional agglomeration economics of public and private investment in eSports events on the entire industry. This research focuses on the Pangyo Techno Valley in Gyeonggi province, which South Korea has developed into the most innovative IT cluster hub. This research defines the ecosystem of eSports events tourism, which includes electronics, communication and broadcasting, entertainment, and tour-related businesses. Moreover, the findings reveal that the eSports events sector has a relatively high ripple effect on the wholesale and retail trade, as well as food products and beverage industries. In terms of regional agglomeration externalities, this study presents empirical evidence on the spillover economic effect of the eSports events ecosystem. When designing and implementing smart tourism-related regulations, policymakers must take eSports events ecosystems into account.