SPORTS TOURISM

FENNIMOORE AMERARA DECKLES @ CHAMIT J

SBEP3672 TOURISM PLANNING 3

Introduction
Sport tourism has been one of the fastest developing segments of a
growing tourism industry, with sporting events comprising an
important part of this growth - (Ritchie et al., 2002).
specific travel outside the customers usual environment for either
passive or active involvement in sport where sport is the prime
motivational reason for travel. (World Tourism Organization, 2010).

DEFINITION: the use of sports as a vehicle for tourism endeavours.

Having made this determination, a broad definition for sports within sports tourism
was given in terms of the physical aspect of running, jumping, walking, racing,
throwing, shooting, hitting, and the like.

Types of Sports Tourism

sport tourism could be defined as leisure-based travel that
takes individuals temporarily outside of their home communities
to participate in physical activities [Active Sport Tourism], to
watch physical activities [Event Sport Tourism], or to venerate
attractions associated with physical activities [Nostalgia Sport
Tourism] H. Gibson (2003)

Three types of Sports Tourism

1) Active Sport Tourism
Involves people who are participating sports events
2) Event Sport Tourism
Involves spectators of sports events

3) Nostalgia Sport Tourism

involves traveling to famous sport-related attractions

Sports Consideration

The degree to which resources have been utilized to stage the

activity within a positive sports environment:
i) have infrastructure and interstructure in place for non-regional
residents
ii) provide amenities and services for tourists
iii) plan and market for purposes of attracting persons outside the region.

The degree of dependency on tourism by the sports organization

for:
i) government grants/subsidies
ii) Sponsors
iii) tourism economic impact.

It should be noted that these factors would be considered when determining the existence of
a sports tourism activity.

Categories of Sports Tourism Activities

Sports
Tourism
Events

World Cups
Regattas
Horse Racing
International
Marathons

Sports
Tourism
Attractions
Stadiums
Gymnastics
Displays
Theme Parks
Sports Museum
Hall of Fame

Sports
Sports
Tourism Tours Tourism
Resorts
Heritage Site

Tours
Mountain
Climbing Tours
Adventure
Expeditions

Fishing resorts
Outfitters
Soccer Schools
Training Camps

Sports
Tourism
Cruises

Gold Cruises
Kayaking
Rowing
Yacht Charters

CASE STUDY 1: NEW

ZEALAND
More than 50% of past sports events in
New Zealand were held in the four major
regions of Auckland, Waikato, Canterbury
and Otago, each creating economic
benefits for the host city or community.
The New Zealand government considers
sports events as an inbound tourist
promotion tool and has sought to host
some international sports events.
Four positively significant cases: the
1990 Commonwealth Games for total
visitor arrivals, the 2000 Americas Cup
and the 2005 British and Irish Lions Tour
for participating countries visitor
arrivals.

CASE STUDY 2: NEW

YORK
In New York, baseball is still regarded as the
most popular sport, despite being
overtaken by football in terms of perceived
popularity (but not attendance) throughout
the country, as based on TV ratings and
consistent fan following for the entire
season.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and
Museum is one of the country's most
popular destinations and is surely the bestknown sports shrine in the world.
Sporting events draw tourists to major
venues such as the Yankee Stadium, Citi
Field, and Madison Square Garden, and to
street events such as the New York City
Marathon.

CONCLUSION
For some countries, sports tourism is seen as one of the fastest
developing segments of a growing tourism industry, with sporting events
comprising an important part of this growth.
Developing a strategic plan for identifying and securing support is
among the first issues needed to be addressed, both for the organization
and the events they will execute. While developing the strategic plan, the
planning group should keep in mind that to sponsors the group and their
events are communication vehicles for relaying a message. The message
may be the relationships between the sponsor and their products and such
things as community support, corporate citizenship, users of sponsor
product, image, and exposure.