Social Impacts of the Tawau International Cultural Festival on Local Community Wellbeing: Benefits and Costs

Abstract

The Tawau International Cultural Festival, held annually, has a substantial impact on the local community by promoting social interaction, nurturing cultural pride and encouraging community participation. Nevertheless, this commemoration of cultural diversity also presents obstacles, such as traffic congestion, increased pollution levels, and potential disturbances caused by large crowds. The primary goal of this research is to examine the social benefits and costs associated with the Tawau International Cultural Festival and their consequent impact on the local community's overall wellbeing. A total of 206 data were obtained through judgmental sampling on-site. The festival's substantial positive influence on the quality of life of residents is substantiated by the results. In addition, this festival provides an invaluable opportunity for locals to commemorate with their social circles, which may include friends, relatives and even new acquaintances, thus facilitating the renewal of existing connections and the development of new relationships.