In recent times, a new form of tourism has been slowly emerging into the world of travel. This fascinating crossover of sports and travel is what we call Sports Tourism. It trumps the idea of traditional tourism where people travel to explore historical places, experience culture, art, and food or explore the scenic natural beauties. Instead, Sports Tourism combines the passion for travel with the love for sports. It is essentially defined as travelling to different destinations to participate in or watch sporting events. This can include a wide range of activities, from attending the Olympics or World Cup matches to participating in a marathon or even going on a cycling trip in a different country. It’s about experiencing the thrill of sports in a new and exciting location.
Sports tourism has been growing in popularity for several reasons:
- Unique Experiences: Sports events provide unique experiences that are different from typical tourist activities. Imagine the energy of a packed stadium during a FIFA World Cup match or the serenity of playing golf on a world-class course in a beautiful location.
- Combining Passions: Many people are passionate about both sports and travel. Sports tourism allows them to combine these passions into one incredible experience.
- Cultural Immersion: Sporting events often reflect the culture of the place where they are held. For example, attending a cricket match in India can give you a taste of the local culture and traditions.
- Community and Camaraderie: Sports events bring people together. Whether you’re cheering for your favourite team, you’ll meet like-minded individuals and make new friends.
- Health and Fitness: Participating in sports tourism activities, such as marathons or cycling tours, is a great way to stay active and healthy while travelling.
Types of Sports Tourism
Sports tourism can be broadly categorized into three types:
- Event-Based Tourism: This involves travelling to watch major sporting events. Examples include the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Wimbledon, and the Formula 1 Race. Fans travel from all over the world to witness these events, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.
This is the best type of Sports Tourism for sports enthusiasts. The thrill of watching a live game of your favourite team or a player is unmatchable. Some teams and venues also offer packages where you can briefly interact with your favourite players post-game, which makes for an incredible experience.
- Active Sports Tourism: This is for those who want to participate in sports rather than just watch. It includes activities like skiing in the Alps, surfing in Hawaii, hiking in the Rocky Mountains, or scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef.
Whether you play professionally or just leisurely, Active Sports Tourism is an exciting way to enjoy the sporting euphoria. If you are an active athlete or a team of athletes, you can visit various sporting clubs and facilities across the world who offer a personalised sport tourism package. You can train and compete with the local athletes and teams and be a part of an extraordinary sporting and cultural exchange.
- Nostalgia Sports Tourism: This type is for fans who want to visit iconic sports-related locations. This could mean visiting the Mecca of Cricket, the Lord’s in London, touring the historical Old Trafford Football Stadium in Manchester or seeing the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
You learn the history of sports and unravel fascinating stories during your visit to these historic sporting venues. Alongside, you can experience the local culture which is often built around these venues.
Sports Tourism in India
As the global trend for sports tourism is on the rise, the same trend is also visible in the Indian travel space. According to a report, almost three-quarters of Indian travellers plan to travel for sporting events in 2024. India is also among the top 5 Asian countries in terms of bookings in the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.
As a cricket-friendly nation, most Indians also travel locally to watch cricket tournaments which are held regularly in the country. The rise of leagues in the recent past like the Indian Premier League (Cricket), Indian Super League (Football), Pro Kabaddi League, and Prime Volleyball League have also been aiding the sports tourism industry in the country.
One drawback here is that these leagues only happen for short periods, say two to three months, unlike in some countries where they go on throughout the year. This creates a large chunk of non-business periods in a year. To overcome this, we as a nation have to be proactive in conducting sporting events across the year. Another solution is to focus on developing sports infrastructure where teams and athletes can have an option for active sports tourism. Like here at CSE we have teams coming across the year to train with the different academies we have here. We also have amateur and casual players coming here to play recreationally with their colleagues and friends. This not only boosts sports tourism but is also instrumental in building a sporting nation.
Sports tourism is more than just a trip – it’s an adventure filled with excitement, culture, and unforgettable moments. It is a fantastic way to combine your love for sports with the joy of travel. Whether you’re watching your favourite team compete on the world stage or challenging yourself with new sports activities, sports tourism offers unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories. So, pack your bags, put on your sports gear, and get ready for an adventure of a lifetime.
