Význam projektu Evropských hlavních měst kultury pro rozvoj cestovního ruchu

This work focuses on project of European capital of culture as a potential factor for supporting development of tourism. The first part examines the cultural events and festivals which represents innovation in the cultural tourism product, and evaluates their benefits. These benefits are visible in different areas of development which proves multiplier effect of those events. Potential impacts are described primarily in the field of tourism, further then in economic, social, cultural and marketing fields. This thesis also introduces history and functioning of the project, with reference to changes in the rules in recent years, which were designed to strengthen its role as a catalyst for local development. Practical, research part of the thesis assesses the feasibility of achieving these potential benefits in the tourism sector, based on the final reports from cities and external agencies to the European Commission. This part works with statistics on attendance changes of the host cities during the cultural year and after and thus deals also with the question whether the project can help promote tourism in the long term. The conclusion determines the conditions under which it is possible to realize the potential benefits of event.