SportsTourism.Biz

UFC a knockout for Toronto tourism

2011-06-20T22:43:00.002-04:00

Days before Canadian superstar Georges St-Pierre won his bout at UFC 129 at the Rogers Centre last April, a unanimous decision was already in among Toronto business owners like Carlos Gavilanes about the true victor of the bloody cage match: the cash register.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship went the distance for Toronto tourism and for local businesses, which took in an estimated $40 million from the most successful fight night in UFC history.

“We were completely sold out. It was our busiest night so far,” said Gavilanes of his new sports grill location at King St. W. and Duncan St., which opened on Super Bowl Sunday last February.

His staff got an early jump on the much-hyped welterweight matchup between St-Pierre and Jake Shields by pre-selling tickets at $20 a pop to watch it on the bar’s 100 flat screen TVs. They sold out all 450 seats, even though the sporting event was being held live just two blocks away.

The April 30 mixed martial arts show doubled the largest gate and attendance records (55,724) in UFC history. It also set a single-day event gate record for the domed stadium at $11.5 million.

“We could have sold 100,000 tickets (if we had the capacity), let alone the 55,000 we did sell,” says Silvio D’Addario, vice-president of events for Rogers Centre.

“It provided a huge opportunity for Toronto to showcase itself to the rest of the world,” he adds in an interview.

The spectacle did indeed put Toronto on the map for international tourists, with tickets sold on every continent except Antarctica, notes Tom Wright, director of the UFC’s Canadian operations.

“There’s no question this was not only a local event but a global event,” he says.

Even though there were concerns about the violent nature of the show, there’s no denying the popularity of the controversial event to Canadian cities, says Wright. Montreal has already hosted four UFC events and set the second-highest attendance record last December after Toronto. Two others have been held in Vancouver.

“It helps the breadth of offerings the city has to attract people,” says Alan Middleton, a marketing professor at York University’s Schulich School of Business.

“This was a one-off with a big presence. It begins to put Toronto into the tourist’s ‘mind map’,” he says.

So far Toronto has been good at drawing in families but not so when it comes to younger tourists, says Middleton, adding that this event was important in that it brought in mostly an under-30 audience.

“They are the future of tourism,” he says.

Overall, Moneris Solutions, Canada’s largest credit and debit card processor, issued a report last month showing a substantial increase in dollars spent in the city on Saturday, April 30, the day of the highly-anticipated Toronto event.

Restaurants enjoyed a 19.2 per cent jump in dollars spent compared week-over-week. Similarly, bars and pubs experienced a 15.7 per cent increase — confirming that in addition to the 55,724 fans at the Rogers Centre, many more watched the popular event outside their home.

The Moneris report also showed a sizable rise in retail spending from people who made their way to the downtown core. Apparel and sporting goods stores saw a 41.3 per cent and a 33 per cent jump in sales respectively.

And many people travelled to Toronto to experience the UFC in person, as evidenced by the 20.3 per cent rise in dollars spent at hotels, says the report.

“Toronto’s hotel occupancy rates were in the high 90s — which doesn’t usually happen in April,” notes Wright.

UFC Canada is finalizing an economic impact report on Toronto’s UFC bonanza that is expected out in August, he says, adding the $40 million estimate of the financial boon to Toronto is only a conservative estimate.

Another UFC bout will be held in either Toronto or Montreal in December.

D’Addario says after UFC 129’s huge success, Rogers Centre is looking at other big, one-time sporting events like a high profile boxing match down the road.

“It puts out a signal that we are open to being considered for major sporting, music and convention events,” says Middleton.

Normally at Shoeless Joe’s, Gavilanes doesn’t charge customers to watch UFC telecasts. But he wanted to prevent problems at the door the night of the event by selling out in advance since the downtown core was so busy, he explains.

Ringing up UFC impact

$11.5 — UFC earned a single-day event gate record for Rogers at $11.5 million

19.2 — Per cent jump in dollars spent at local restaurants week-over-week

15.7 — Per cent jump in dollars spent at area bars week over week

Source: Toronto Star

X Games adds three international events

2011-05-17T11:35:00.003-04:00

ESPN will hold a bidding process to select the three new locations, with results expected to be announced in April 2012. New events might be added based on locales selected.

By Baxter Holmes

The X Games, the world's largest action sports competition, took a step toward increasing its global footprint Tuesday when ESPN officials announced it will double to six annual events beginning in 2013, with the new three events being held outside the U.S.

The franchise, now in its 17th year, currently holds events in Los Angeles during the summer and in Aspen, Colo., and Tignes, France, during the winter. But under the new plan, four total events will be international.

"It's absolutely great. I'm super pumped," said Travis Pastrana, a motocross and rally racing driver who has appeared in 11 X Games and won 17 medals — 11 of which are gold.

ESPN will hold a formal competitive bidding process to select the three new locations, which will be signed to three-year agreements and work with ESPN to stage the events. The bids are expected to be announced in April 2012, officials said.

Several criteria, such as location and a cooperating organization, are in consideration and ESPN has created a website – http://www.bidxgames.com – for cities to submit entries. Bids are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 1.

"Everybody's got a fair shot at this," said Scott Guglielmino, ESPN senior vice president of programming and Global X Games. "That's why we're going through the formal bid process."

It's yet to be decided which of the new events will be winter or summer events. Officials said it is possible new action sports events could be added if the location allows for it; for example, a surfing event could be a possibility for an X Games held in Australia.

But each event is set to be comparable in size to ones held in L.A. and Aspen.

"Nothing will shrink," said Ron Semiao, ESPN vice president of content strategy and the X Games founder. "In fact, you may see some things enhanced."

A total of 130 hours of live television coverage of the six events will be broadcast on ESPN networks in the U.S. and internationally. There will also be online coverage, including a year-round action sports website.

In terms of the timing of the announcement, Guglielmino said, "This was the right time with the growth of the sports, their significance as well as us being prepared internally."

X Games began in 1995 in Rhode Island, but has grown, with 14 countries having hosted competitions in recent years.

X Games 17 is scheduled to be held July 28-31 in Los Angeles.

Source: LA Times

The world’s premier sports tourism expo comes to Thailand

2011-03-11T21:03:00.000-05:00

WSDE Sport Tourism Expo is the only global exhibition and business forum dedicated to showcasing the booming $600 billion a year Sports Tourism market - the most rapidly growing sector in travel and tourism.
It has been announced that this ground breaking event will this year take place in Bangkok, Thailand - Asia’s Sports Tourism Gateway - from 27 – 29 September 2011.

WSDE will be proudly co-hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), and the Sports Authority of Thailand and will take place at the internationally renowned Bangkok Convention Centre.

As well as a significant international representation, WSDE will demonstrate to the world that Thailand is perfectly positioned to take full advantage of what is regarded as the most important growth sector in global travel and tourism.

With Participation Vacations the biggest trend in current travel (holidays with an activity attached – i.e. golf, tennis, adventure), Sports Tourism continues to flourish and is set to contribute an astonishing 14% of overall travel and tourism receipts by the end of the year.

WSDE will provide the optimum, cost effective platform for exhibitors to meet and carry out face-to-face business with international buyers with direct purchasing power.

National, Regional or City Tourist Boards with a Sports Tourism portfolio, hotels and resorts offering sporting facilities, tour operators, agents, and major travel and transportation providers are urged to participate in this must attend industry gathering.

The buyers are top-level decision makers who have the purchasing power and authority to meet and place business directly with exhibitors. A one-to-one appointment schedule means no time is wasted, business is generated, and time is maximised.

WSDE is a vital, unmissable and cost effective event for those companies wishing to be part of the travel and tourism industry’s future.

Source: Press Release and Travel Daily News.com

NBA signs deal with Thomson Sport ahead of debut UK game

2011-02-03T13:28:00.000-05:00

Travel company Thomson Sport has heightened its interest in US sport by signing a major sponsorship deal with the NBA ahead of its first-ever UK game at London's O2 in March.

Thomson is bidding to ramp up its commercial relationships with US sports. The NBA deal comes just months after it signed a similar contract with the NFL.

The TUI Travel-owned sport specialist travel agency will offer travel packages to future NBA professional games played in Europe.

Thomson Sport, as official presenting partner and official European fan travel partner of NBA games, will receive prominent brand exposure around game held at The O2.

It will also be granted brand exposure at the NBA's website, NBA.com, where it will present a new editorial feature highlighting its travel services.

The NBA, like the NFL, is targeting new markets to enhance its appeal outside its core US business.

Thomson Sport is supporting NBA Basketball Week, a week-long series of basketball events, which will take place across the UK from 25 February to 5 March.

The deal is "multiyear" but the specific length has not been disclosed.

The match at London's O2 is between the New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors in the first week of March.

Claire Brand, director, rights activation, TUI Travel Sport division, said: "We are delighted that one of our sport businesses, Thomson Sport, has been named the NBA's Official European Fan Travel Partner and look forward to making basketball more accessible to its large European fan base."

Source: Marketing UK

Super Bowl Consumer Spending to Hit $10 Billion

2011-01-27T00:21:00.001-05:00

Consumers Will Purchase Plenty of Food and Beverages -- but Also TVs and Team Apparel

NEW YORK (AdAge.com) -- Americans are planning to take a break from their spendthrift ways, at least for Super Bowl Sunday.

Best Buy is aggressively promoting high-definition TVs for the big game. According to a new survey out from the Retail Advertising and Marketing Association, conducted by BIGresearch, total consumer Super Bowl spending is expected to reach $10.1 billion, the highest in the survey's eight-year history. More people also plan to celebrate the event by throwing a party, attending a party or watching at a bar or restaurant.

Likewise, consumer sentiment toward advertisers also appears to be improving. In the depths of the recession more consumers said advertisers should bypass pricey Super Bowl spots and pass the savings onto them. This year 17% expressed that sentiment, down from 21% in 2009 and 19% in 2010. Fox, which is broadcasting the game on Feb. 6, is reportedly seeking between $2.8 million and $3 million for 30 seconds of commercial time in this year's game.

"The consumer is feeling more optimistic," said Mike Gatti, executive director at RAMA. "Spending is starting to come back, and it's on these little splurgy things. It's not crazy. But people are saying we're going to crack open the wallet and do something."

Of the 83% saying they will purchase Super Bowl-related items, including food, beverages, TVs, furniture, team apparel and decorations, the average person will spend $71.51, up from $64 a year ago and in line with 2007 spending. Mr. Gatti said he expects to see a lot of promotion around the Super Bowl, with retailers looking to the event as the first opportunity to stimulate sales post holiday.

While the majority of people plan to purchase food or beverages, plenty are still looking to bigger-ticket items, like TVs. The number of consumers saying they'll purchase a TV jumped 25% this year to 4.5 million people.

That's good news for electronics retailers, which saw tepid TV sales over the holidays. Best Buy, for example, reported that for the month of December, consumer electronics sales fell 8% at stores open a least a year, primarily because of a low double-digit decline in TVs. Best Buy and Sears are already aggressively promoting high-definition TVs for the big game.

"Our customers tell us that this is an ideal time of year to upgrade or invest in new big-screen televisions, so we wanted to give them a great excuse to come into Best Buy by offering deals on some of the best and largest TVs we carry," said Mike Mohan, senior VP-home theater at Best Buy.

With the New York Jets' and Chicago Bears' Super Bowl dreams dashed, some sporting goods execs have speculated that apparel and accessory sales could be lackluster. The Green Bay Packers and Pittsburgh Steelers represent smaller markets. But, Mr. Gatti pointed out, both are storied teams. "Maybe sales would have been a little higher, based on the teams, but Green Bay and Pittsburgh are both pretty strong, popular teams," he said.

What consumers plan to purchase for Super Bowl Sunday

69.5% - Food/Beverages
7.3% - Team apparel or accessories
6% - Decorations
4.50% - Television
2% - Furniture

Source: Advertising Age

Rio 2016 Launches New Olympic Brand, Logo

2010-12-31T23:25:00.002-05:00

At Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro Friday, an estimated 2.5 million New Years Eve revellers who were in attendance for the annual fireworks display were also treated to the much-anticipated unveiling of the new Olympic logo designed for the Rio 2016 Games. After a video presentation, the logo was projected onto a big screen on the sand of the beach.

The logo was chosen from a short-list of eight agencies - in all, 139 design firms participated from Brazil. They were tasked with designing "a brand capable of translating Brazilian people passion for sport and the enormous power of transformation of the Olympic Games will have in Rio de Janeiro and in the whole country," according to the bid committee.

The New Rio 2016 Website describes the logo as "...the passionate carioca soul that extends an embrace and shares its friendship, in a collective and warm gesture, which expresses our impassioned way of celebrating. Passion and transformation of a city and an entire country, fuelled by the renovation of the Olympic spirit, to project Brazil and Rio de Janeiro to the world. Passion and transformation of our planet and its people, by promoting a more interdependent, conscious and sustainable culture, as an inspiration to the present and a legacy for the future."

The new brand will be used in all aspects of the Games and Games preparations for the next six years appearing on communications, merchandise, signage, sponsors' promotions and more. In the coming months the organizing committee will release further branding to complement the logo and will later create a Games' mascot.

Source: GameBids.com

Sports Tourism success not guaranteed, experts tell WTM

2010-11-16T00:29:00.005-05:00

World Travel Market’s second Sports Tourism Conference has heard differing opinions about the value of hosting major sporting events.

A warning came from Tom Jenkins, Executive Chairman, European Tour Operators’ Association, who said that it would be hard for London 2012 to meet its tourism objectives because of the difficulty of predicting the figures accurately.

“There are many good reasons for hosting the Olympics, but tourism isn’t one of them,” he said, referring to figures which showed the extent to which host nations had got their predictions wrong. Beijing for example, expected 400,000 foreign visitors for 2008; the reality was 18,500.

London has predicted that 380,000 international visitors will turn up in 2012. Currently there are only 122,000 hotel beds in and around London.

Jenkins’ dissenting voice conflicted with some of the other panellists. Rashid Singh, Chief Marketing Officer for South Africa Tourism, said that the tourism legacy of FIFA World Cup 2010 was the hotels, improved infrastructure and more visitors, while the sporting legacy was the improved access to quality facilities for local people. She said that some of the stadiums were now being used for rugby.

But the main beneficiaries of the legacy were South Africans themselves, she said.

Taleb Rifa, Secretary General, United Nations World Tourism Organization, also objected to Jenkin’s comment that “if you need to build an infrastructure around a one-off event you don’t need that infrastructure”. Rifa countered this by saying quite often major sporting events ensured that an infrastructure which should be there already is built.

Rifa was also keen to point out that the “21st century will be the century of sport and travel” and that the two industries would work together in the future. However, the panel’s only private sector representative warned that the globalised sports industry was often at odds with the travel industry. Marc Bennett, who runs the European sports division for TUI Travel, pointed out that the rights holders for events held the power in terms of ticketing, pricing and distribution.

Instead, he hinted that TUI – Europe’s biggest tour operator – was looking more closely at monetising participation in sport. “I see it [travelling to take part in sport] as a wholesome, profitable area not soured by hotels and rights holders.”

With the major events dominating the stage, it was left to Richard Shipway, sports tourism lecturer at Bournemouth University, to fly the flag for doing rather than watching. He noted that while the sports tourism industry appeared dominated by Olympics and World Cups, the bulk of the business is people taking part. He reminded the 100-strong audience that playing golf, as an example, was worth $25bn a year globally.

Chris Foy, who heads up VisitBritain’s 2012 unit, was confident that despite the challenges, the Games would succeed on all levels. “We want London 2012 to be a future benchmark for other host countries,” he said.

Jenkins remained unconvinced. “Look at Wimbledon, the most famous and widely broadcast tennis competition this is. What, can I ask, has this done for Wimbledon as a tourist destination and what has it done for British tennis?”

Source: travelio.net

Asian Games to give Guangzhou huge tourism boost

2010-08-30T23:00:00.000-04:00

BEIJING - With some 150,000 overseas and 500,000 domestic tourists expected in Guangzhou during the Asian Games, its global image is in for a boost, along with its coffers.

Yin Tao, director of the Institute of Industrial Economy and Enterprise Management under the Guangzhou Academy of Social Sciences, said the city's tourism revenue is expected to receive $80 million from overseas tourists and 1 billion yuan ($147 million) from domestic ones during the Games.

In preparation for the influx of visitors, the city's transport network, telecommunications systems and tourism facilities have all been upgraded, along with improvements to the quality of its air and water, Yin said.

Michelle Caporicci, general manager of the Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou, said the hotel anticipated a steady stream of bookings, including tourists, delegations from participating countries and members of the Asian Games committee.

"The Games will change people's perception of Guangzhou as primarily a business destination, so we are expecting many more domestic tourists in Guangzhou," she said.

"Local corporations are taking this opportunity to invite guests to Guangzhou to showcase the city's potential.

The Games will also attract local tourists from the Pearl River Delta and neighboring cities, because of their proximity," she said.

CITS Guangdong Co, a major travel agent, also anticipates increased bookings for inbound flights and trips to other provinces, said managing director Gu Xuncai.

The company has improved its facilities and services for the Games, including tour guides who are proficient in foreign languages, Gu said.

The province's tourism industry is expected to continue to benefit after the Games, especially due to all the improvements that have been made in the host city, he added.

Banks in Guangdong province plan to increase the number of their outlets, provide multilingual services and cater to the disabled during the Games, said Liu Fushou, director of the Guangdong Bureau of the China Banking Regulatory Commission.

Guangzhou had 118 million tourists last year, which generated 99.404 billion yuan in tourism revenue, including $3.624 billion in foreign currency, according to the tourism administration of Guangzhou.

In tandem with generating revenue, consumption in Guangzhou is expected to rise by 1.9 billion yuan during the Games, Yin said.

Investment for the Asian Games will add 815.24 billion yuan to the local gross domestic product, Yin said, with direct investment for the Games creating 304,000 jobs.

Source: xinhuanet.com

Singapore prepares for 2010 Youth Olympics

2010-08-12T16:17:00.002-04:00

Singapore expects to put itself on the tourism map by hosting the Youth Olympic Games for an expected 40,000 guests

Singapore is preparing to host the much-anticipated inaugural 2010 Youth Olympic Games, with over 40,000 international visitors expected in the city-state.

Taking place from August 13th-26th, the event will form the centerpiece of a month long celebration in the city, with the whole length of Orchard Road - the main shopping street in the heart of Singapore - adorned to enhance the celebratory mood.

The line-up for this once in a lifetime event includes performances from artistes such as Click 5 and Alarice, alongside regional and local acts.

“The vision of the YOG is to inspire youths around the world to take up sports and embody the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect,” said John Conceicao, Singapore Tourism Board regional director for Europe.

“It is an opportunity for us to extend our signature hospitality to youth athletes, officials and international visitors, and enable them to experience Singapore as an exciting, vibrant, modern and cosmopolitan city that has successfully hosted major international events.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

LeBron could mean millions for Miami tourism

2010-07-13T23:08:00.005-04:00

Star has bratwurst meal named after him, giving South Florida a boost

The Miami Herald is reporting that LeBron James is giving South Florida a boost already.

The NBA star left the Cleveland Cavaliers last week for the Miami Heat.

The reservations team at the Fountainebleau Resort in Miami Beach told the Herald that they're getting asked about packages that include Heat tickets.

The South Beach restaurant Prime 112 says athletes, sportscasters and regular diners want to know if they'll still be able to get tables there now that even more celebrities will be showing up.

Real estate agents told the paper that James' move drove up the price of at least one condo near the AmericanAirlines Arena, and home buyers want Heat tickets as part of the deal.

The star already has snack named for him: the "Le-Brat James" bratwurst at the Shake Shack in South Beach.

Source: MSNBC

FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 emblem revealed

2010-07-08T18:08:00.008-04:00

Source: FIFA

Brazil sees tourism up ahead of 2014 World Cup

2010-06-26T20:33:00.006-04:00

Brazil hopes its tourism industry will contribute up to 4.5% of its gross domestic product by 2014, the year it hosts the FIFA World Cup soccer, a government minister said on Tuesday.

Tourism Minister Luiz Barretto Filho said the South American country expected considerably more than the around 370,000 visitors in South Africa for the current World Cup.

"We hope to get 4 to 4.5% of the GDP (by 2014)," Barretto Filho told Reuters in an interview.

Barretto Filho was part of a delegation visiting South Africa to promote Brazil ahead of the next World Cup.

The 2014 World Cup was marked for South America under FIFA's rotation system and five times World Cup winner Brazil, which hosted the 1950 tournament, was awarded the event unopposed in 2007.

Latin America's biggest economy expanded 9.0% in the first quarter its fastest pace in at least 14 years and Filho said the government was planning to create 2.5 million formal jobs in total during 2010, many in the tourism sector.

"At the moment, we have 6 million Brazilians working in the tourism sector. We're expecting a 10% increase, per year, until 2014," he said.

Preparations slow

However, FIFA has criticised Brazil's preparations for the tournament and last month its general secretary, Jerome Valcke, said he had received a report that warned work was behind schedule at a number of venues.

Brazil Sports Minister Orlando Silva, who was also visiting South Africa, said he was concerned about the pace of his country's preparations.

"I'm always worried, I'm always concerned. There are 12 cities and we need to work faster. But I am confident 2010 will be a turning point. And we'll certainly work faster, quicker in the preparation for the World Cup," he told reporters after touring the exhibition.

Like South Africa, Brazil needs to invest heavily in infrastructure, particularly transport. Silva said the government had an investment programme of around USD 15 billion to improve infrastructure and restore stadiums.

Like South Africa, Brazil is battling a reputation for high levels of violent crime.

However, Barretto Filho said Brazil had extensive plans to tackle crime, from bringing in extra police units to instituting more social programmes.

"The Brazilian situation is quite different to the South African (one). We also have problems in the crime area, but not to the same extent as South Africa," Barretto Filho said.

"It is quite easy to organise security for a 30-day period."

Source: Moneycontrol News Center

2010 FIFA World Cup sparks U.S. interest in tourism to Africa and changes perceptions

2010-06-23T19:25:00.008-04:00

The 2010 World Cup finally arrived in South Africa. This is more than a landmark in the country’s history; it is also an opportunity to change perceptions about South Africa and Africa in the United States and abroad.

“All over the U.S., we can see how excited everyone is about the World Cup,” said Edward Bergman, Executive Director of the Africa Travel Association (ATA). "We have already seen a surge in interest about South Africa in major American cities, where the country’s flag, culture, cuisine and wines are on full display. We’ve also seen a huge amount of media coverage about a ‘positive’ event taking place on the continent rather than the usual politics or a humanitarian crisis.”

According to reports from South Africa, the month-long tournament is expected to boost tourist arrivals by almost 400,000 visitors. While an event of this scope was unimaginable in Africa until now, the World Cup puts South Africa center stage, showing the world that “Destination Africa” can compete. It also puts a focus on Africa, providing other nations with an opportunity to attract tourists and investment to their countries. All this builds on the idea that sports tourism can boost economic growth.

“At the same time, American tourists have something tangible to offer Africa: tourism creates jobs, fights unemployment and boosts the economy,” said Bergman. “Every tourist needs a flight, accommodation, and meals. They also want to enjoy the nightlife, explore the local culture and do some shopping.”

The United States is the top source market for Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda, Ethiopia and South Africa, as noted in a report recently published by ATA, New York University’s Africa House and the World Bank. The U.S. is also the top source market for the largest number of ticket holders, outnumbering all other nationalities except South Africa, the host country.

The link between sports tourism, economics and South Africa wasd demonstrated on June 11, 2010, when South African Tourism (SAT) and Consul General Fikile Magubane of South Africa visited NASDAQ MarketSite in New York and presided over the NASDAQ opening bell in celebration of the event. ATA was represented by Executive Director, Edward Bergman.

“As the world’s largest global exchange company, we are excited about the world’s greatest sporting event, the 2010 FIFA World Cup” commented Bruce Aust, Executive Vice President of NASDAQ OMX. “We are delighted to host the South African Tourism and Consul General Fikile Magubane of South Africa for a celebratory NASDAQ Opening Bell from the cross roads of the world in the heart of Times Square as all eyes turn to South Africa for a series of exciting world cup games,” he added.

Bergman is confident the World Cup will leave a lasting legacy on South Africa and Africa. “The World Cup will show the world that Africa has the infrastructure and the ability to host events of all sizes. The new roads, railways and bus networks, as well technology development will also help further position South Africa as a premier destination.”

Source: Travel Daily News

Major sports events: major drivers for tourism

2010-05-02T02:15:00.007-04:00

The Olympic Games. The FIFA World Cup. The Commonwealth Games. The Paralympic Games. The PanAmerican Games. The Rugby World Cup.

For athletes of the world these (and many other) major sporting events represent the highest point of achievement on the international sporting stage. With the eyes of the world watching athletes are given the opportunity to prove that they are among, and possibly, the best in the world. Prominence, preeminence, profile and power – these are outcomes of being seen to play a part in the Games.

Yet to earn the right to play a part takes years of preparation. Significant investment of time, energy and money are prerequisites. You have to really want it to be able to win your place on the podium. And you need to make every second of the Games worth it to be able to maximise the benefit of being able to say “I was there”. Because those few days of competition can change your life forever.

Winning a place in the Games is not the only competition involved in major sporting events. Equally fierce is the competition to win the right to be the place where the Games are held.

Like aspiring athletes, aspiring host cities seek their moment of fame, the opportunity to show the world what they can do better than anyone, and anywhere, else. To be awarded the title and immense honour of ‘host city’ of a major international sporting event can have as profound an effect on a city, region and nation as on an athlete. It can change the profile of the place, and lives of the people, forever.

To take on the responsibility of host city (or nation) of a major sporting event demands unprecedented levels of commitment to delivery of a very tightly defined, carefully watched and painstakingly engineered set of contracted deliverables as defined by the Games ‘owners’ – the IOC, FIFA, ICC, IRB, etc. For an extended period of time the event grabs hold of the best of the city’s/nation’s resources – people, time, funds – taking over personal lives and professional careers. There is zero margin for executional error, zero opportunity for Plan Bs, zero space for exhale. And this is even before the Games begin.

So why do destinations do it? Why is being host city or nation so important? Why turn a place seemingly upside down for a few days of sport? A few locations of play? A few special athletes?

It’s all about one little word with massive impact: Legacy.

WINNING THROUGH HOSTING

The chance to play host to a major event is an exceptional opportunity to shape the future of the nation, especially it’s tourism sector. And with that, to magnify the multiplier effect of the tourism economy, and the greater spirit of the people of the nation itself. As a powerful example of the power of major events: the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

South Africa’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup in June 2010 represents so much more that 30 days of football. Even for this football-loving nation. It’s about Legacy. As stated emphatically by Dr Danny Jordaan, CEO of South Africa’s 2010 Organising Committee:

"It’s not about football – it’s about nation building. South Africa has been chosen to not only stage the World Cup in 2010 but also to carry the hopes, dreams and aspirations of Africa and especially African football. This provides a golden opportunity to change perceptions about Africa and to influence public opinion around the globe.

We must demonstrate through this event that we are equal to the best [FIFA World Cup] countries in the world – equal to Germany, equal to France, equal to the United States, equal to Japan. If we can be equal to them we must be amongst the best. And that we can transfer into our business approach in investment, in tourism. Through the 2010 FWC we can leave a legacy of growth, unity and pride.”

SCORING POINTS

From the perspective of the Tourism Economy, with major events come the potential for dramatic increases in a number of critical destination growth and development metrics. These include, inter alia,:

• ARRIVALS – athletes, support teams, media, officials and fans arriving into the destination from across the country and across the world for the Games, and for pre-and post-Games touring

• REVENUES – money spent by visitors spending time in the destination over the period of the Games, as well as pre and post stays.

• INVESTMENT – money injected into the destination for critical infrastructure development

• EMPLOYMENT – the tens of thousands of people employed in the array of roles needed to make the event happen - before, during and after the Games

• SKILLS DEVELOPMENT – knowledge and skills transfer which result from Games preparations and activation and which remain in the minds and lives

• ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT – engineering environmentally responsible methods of design and operation into new and/or upgraded infrastructure, ‘greening the Games’

• IDENTITY – building of profile of the destination as a host city / nation through media exposure of the event

• UNITY – the natural effect of the coming together of the people of the host city/nation.

For this reason major sporting events are actively sought after by governments. The long-term benefits far outweigh the shortterm cost. Through major events critical initiatives can be addressed, core attitudes shifted, key strategic priorities fulfilled. Which is why for a limited period of time national treasuries willingly turn into giant ATMs (with withdrawal limitations, of course), channeling funds into major, mandatory infrastructure projects required for the events, recognising the greater value of hosting as a powerful stimulant to their:

• Economy

• Society

• Key Economic Sectors (especially tourism)

• National Brand

and ultimately...

• Global Competitiveness.

Timing of hosting is, of course, critical.

Back in May 2004 when South Africa bid for the title of host nation of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, leaders of the national bid team knew very well the impact that winning would have on national image advancement – within and outside South Africa. The moment Sepp Blatter, President of FIFA, opened the envelope and revealed South Africa’s success in its bid, not only did the joy at the moment of announcement allow President Nelson Mandela to feel like a 16 year old teenage boy again while tearfully holding the World Cup tight, the moment also set South Africa on a six year path of national reconstruction – physically and emotionally.

Interestingly preparations for the Games since 2004 have insulated the nation from the worst of the impact of the 2008/9 global economic downturn. Whilst the building sector globally came to a grinding halt due to the lack of availability of credit and the high cost of materials, as a result of pre-committed, pre-funded Games preparations thousands of workers involved in 2010 FWC infrastructure projects across the country have remained employed. Progress has been maintained. And of critical importance, the people of the nation have remained focused on the day the opening whistle of the Games blows on June 11th, 2010. The spirit of the nation has remained positive and inspired.

ENGINEERING SUCCESS: BUILDING A DESTINATION

Putting aside all of the glitz, glamour, grand excitement and great blessing of hosting a major sporting event, Games execution must be understood and positioned by the destination as a strategic lever within the greater Tourism Growth and Development Strategy.

Form and fanfare must follow strategic function.

It is critical that major sports events maximise short-term efforts for the long-term benefit of the destination to truly BUILD the destination:

• B: directly reflecting, and overtly driving, the essence of the destination BRAND

• U: working to UNITE the people of the destination, and its visitors, closer together in pride, in interaction, and in upliftment of quality of life.

• I: ensuring INFRASTRUCTURE supports delivery of both hard (transport systems, energy, stadiums, telecommunications, safety & security, accommodation, etc.) and soft (service culture, skills development, Brand delivery, policy, marketing & promotion, partnerships etc) areas of the experience.

• L: investing in the LEGACY of the Tourism sector – creating today what will become the building blocks of tomorrow.

• D: dramatically enhancing the destination’s ability to DELIVER the tourism Brand promise to travellers.

The benefits of hosting a major sporting event are as wide reaching, deeply penetrating and long lasting as the vision of the leadership of the local government and people of the destination. While there may only be one gold, one champion’s trophy, one MVP, when it comes to hosting major sports events winning goes far beyond the athletes.

When the rules of hosting the game are mastered, and the role of the Tourism sector is played correctly, the host city/nation can only come out on top!

Let the Games begin!

Source: Anita Mendiratta (CNN TASK Group/eTN)

The Importance of Sports Tourism

2010-03-18T20:51:00.006-04:00

With a year ahead full of important sporting events, we look at how sports tourism has grown in importance from niche market to multi-billion dollar business.

2010 kick-started with the Winter Olympics held in Whistler and despite issues over the lack of snow was expected to attract 250,000 visitors with projected benefits and revenues to Vancouver and the province in the range of $10 billion. This will be followed by the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the World Exhibition in Shanghai and the Commonwealth Games in India, the Rugby World Cup and the cricket Ashes.

All kinds of sport attract fanatical support, both at the event and at home, and there are both economical and social benefits on a national and regional level from hosting sports events, the visiting sportsmen and women, their support teams and supporters. Not only are there the direct benefits of the money spent to provide these events and the money spent those participating but there are the indirect benefits of increased employment in providing the services, new and improved infrastructure, accommodation, amenities and the growth and development that continues as a result of such events.

In hosting the 2012 Olympic Games, there will be an estimated increase in construction workers of 8.4% in Greater London and a budget of £9.3million will be spent on construction, transport and regeneration. South African Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk advises that construction linked to the World Cup this year could contribute R50billion to the economy, while tourism could generate a further R15billion, with 3.5 million fans expected to attend the tournament.

The UNWTO, of which ITTFA is an affiliate member, has been actively advocating to position sport and mega-events in national tourism development strategies in order to maximize their potential as a driver of growth and development. This was the main message of the inaugural Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega Events hosted by South Africa in Johannesburg last month. Over 450 delegates from 35 countries attended the 3 day event which provided a platform for best practices and knowledge sharing.

“Sport and tourism bring people together in many unimaginable ways and can play a major part as instruments of change”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, in his opening address. He praised H.E. Jacob Zuma “for the model way in which South Africa has approached 2010 – including your outreach to make this the first African World Cup and a beacon for an inclusionary global engagement”.

ITTFA members have seen a noticeable growth in the number and type of exhibitors at their events promoting a sports package of one kind or another. Once a sporting event or mega event is booked, tourism bodies then need to encourage visitors to not only visit the event but to explore the area as a holiday destination. Many destinations have therefore become adept at offering packages to fit a variety of sporting options be that golf championships in Dubai or the Tour de France.

“At TTG Incontri we already had many exhibitors promoting sport tourism within their products, but the real difference today is made by tourist destinations promoting themselves through major sport events”, says Antonio Dell’Aquilano, Exhibition & Event Manager TTG Italia.

“In 2009 we had a huge increase of exhibiting space by South African Tourism aimed to promote the 2010 Football Championships, Brazil is doing the same to promote the World Championships and the Olympics and this will happen more and more in future years. National Tourist Authorities and Boards understand that sport events are currently the biggest vehicle of promotion for the whole territory and a wonderful occasion to present the destination and many different tourist products beyond the main reason for the trip, the sport event itself.”

Spela Bratun, Project Manager for ITTFA member fair TIP Slovenia, says that they have seen an increase in the number of exhibitors promoting sports tourism at TIP since 2009. The main activities are cycling, skiing, golf, windsurfing, rafting and hiking and their aim for the past two years has been to promote the inbound sports and leisure market.

Some member shows inadvertently increase the demand for sports tourism by targeting sports faciities in order to add value for their already established exhibitor base, ie tour operators looking for new providers in particular sector.

ITTFA is dedicated to the continual development of the travel trade show industry, increasing participation and setting high standards worldwide.

Source: TravelDailyNews International

Vancouver 2010: Tracking the Olympic boost

2010-02-15T01:45:00.000-05:00

TOURISM - The people who promote Vancouver as a tourist destination aren't about to let the scenic mountains and cosmopolitan streets speak for themselves during the Winter Olympics, especially not with the Americans.

Tourism officials are planning an aggressive attack on visitors to ensure they don't just enjoy Vancouver, but are convinced to come back. The advertising and social media blitz will also continue after the crowds have gone home.

On their hit list in particular are the Americans: easy targets because there are so many of them and they live close by, but hard to trap due to such barriers as tough financial times, the high Canadian dollar and tighter border security.

It makes the hunt that more challenging, but necessary given that increased tourism is said to be the key benefit of being an Olympic host city.

“We have to get people to pay attention to our message and make it relevant enough for them to consider us as a vacation option,” said Steve Pearce, a vice-president at Tourism Vancouver.

He said the strategy for his organization, combined with all levels of government, is to attract international visitors to Canada, with British Columbia and Vancouver as a destination. However, when it comes to the Americans, the key is promoting the province and more specifically Vancouver.

“It's not hard to find people who know about Canada, but finding it as a vacation option, that's tougher,” he said.

HOTELS/CONVENTIONS - Vancouver's $880-million Convention Centre expansion project, which tripled its size, is the key to attracting more business to the city after the Winter Games.

So far the strategy appears to be working with room night bookings – a key measure in the convention business – poised to surpass 170,000 in 2010, not including the explosion of business during the Olympics. Tourism Vancouver says those numbers rise to a record 200,000 in 2011. Both smash the record 120,000 bookings in 2004, before the expansion.

Conventions are lucrative because of the economic spinoffs, such as restaurants, taxis and of course hotel stays.

Hotel bookings from March to December this year are up 53 per cent from the same time in recessionary 2009, and up 33 per cent from 2007, which was the best year in recent memory, PricewaterhouseCoopers data shows.

That bodes well for Fairmont Hotel and Resorts, which has four hotels in downtown Vancouver, its highest concentration of all cities in which it does business.

Fairmont's Graeme Benn said the economic recovery is boosting stays, but the Olympics is also a strong driver. “I expect the interest to only escalate,” now that the Games are here, he said.

Rival Four Seasons, with one Vancouver hotel, sees Olympic hype helping sales.”The Olympics will be a huge coup for us going forward, more so that Expo ‘86 ever was,” said marketing director Kostas Christopoulos.

Source: Globe and Mail

Winter Olympics: What legacy, Vancouver?

2010-02-13T02:55:00.006-05:00

Among the hundreds of thousands of spectators and participants pouring through the Vancouver area for the 2010 Winter Olympics, some 10,000 employees of security firm Contemporary Services Corp. are working to make the event run as smoothly as possible.

When the Games are over and the athletes go home, most of the CSC's staff will leave as well. But staying behind will be about 420 part-time and full-time employees, along with a new Canadian headquarters for the Los Angeles company.

“We're very excited that we've had the opportunity to leverage the Games in Vancouver … and leave a legacy here,” says Stephen Mirabile, president of CSC's Canadian division.

That legacy is one example of a major promise Olympic organizers have made for the Vancouver Games: economic benefits that last for years after the last medals are handed out.

Vancouver's economy is certain to explode while the Games are on. Hotels have long been sold out and visitors are spending heavily in restaurants and shops. But whether the billions of dollars spent leading up to the Games and the global spotlight on Vancouver translate into a long-term boost for the local economy remains a crucial unknown.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson has already started his post-Olympic pitch. He and mayors from across the region are hosting 100 executives from 70 international companies throughout the Games with a clear motive: Get them to open an office in Greater Vancouver.

It's a strategy borrowed from the 2000 Sydney Games.

“Our broad objective as a city is to put Vancouver on a global map,” Mr. Robertson says. He hopes foreign companies involved in growth areas such as clean technology and digital media will set up operations in Vancouver.

"Making Vancouver a bigger international destination will translate into more jobs, better business opportunities, increased tourism dollars and improved infrastructure", officials say.

But creating lasting economic energy from the Olympics is a big challenge, and something few other host cities have pulled off. Economists point to historical data showing Olympic cities see a short-term economic bump after the event, but then ease back into their regular economic routine within months.

Vancouver organizers scoff at such data. To them, it's just research used to create a new and improved post-Olympic business strategy.

What's been missing in past Olympics is an aggressive post-Games push, according to Tourism Vancouver.

“Where there was often a fault was in the post-Olympic messaging,” said Steve Pearce, vice-president of leisure travel and digital marketing for the tourism agency. “Our challenge will be to be in the marketplace afterwards in an aggressive way, remind them of our relevance and ask them for our business.”

CSC's Mr. Mirabile said strong economic growth forecasts for Vancouver in the years ahead – 4.5 per cent this year, 3.8 per cent in 2011 and 4.1 per cent in 2012 – were part of the security company's decision to stick around.

But many economists say Vancouver's future growth numbers, which are above the national average, have more to do with the overall recovery than the Winter Games themselves.

“While the Olympics will be a boost to confidence and the mood of a lot of people in the province, it won't change the future growth trajectory of the economy, longer-term,” said Jock Finlayson, executive vice-president of the Business Council of British Columbia. “That's putting too much weight on the shoulders of the event.”

Bank of Montreal economist Doug Porter said a review of past Games in Calgary and Montreal shows a small positive impact on jobs and retail sales “which soon wears off.”

“Perhaps the most significant impact of the Games on the B.C. economy will be the long-term positives from the upgraded infrastructure and from any halo effect of what will essentially be a 17-day advertisement for the region – and that is nearly impossible to quantify.”

The most popular infrastructure projects to come out of the Olympic economic movement include a tripling in size of the convention centre, upgrades to the Sea-to-Sky highway connecting Vancouver to Whistler, and the Canada Line rapid transit route from downtown to the city's airport, the first such link of its kind in Canada.

“Those infrastructure projects are by far the most important things” to come out of the Games, said University of British Columbia Professor James Brander. “That's where the real money is.”

Prof. Brander said the only “bad” project that could lose money is the $1-billion athlete's village, which the city took over after the original financing plan involving a Wall Street hedge fund and a private developer fell through. The city is on the hook for about $675-million, according to the latest estimates from Mayor Robertson.

Vancouver's hot housing market could provide the city with an opportunity to profit when it eventually sells the athlete's village.

But experts don't credit the Winter Olympics for soaring prices of the city's real estate.

A recent study by the University of British Columbia showed Olympic host cities don't experience a real estate boom or bust as a result of the Games.

“While construction employment dramatically increases in the period prior to the Games, house prices are the same as they would be in the absence of the Games,” said Tsur Somerville, one of the study's authors.

According to Mr. Somerville's research, Vancouver's economy will quickly revert back to its regular rhythms once the Games are over.

“We do not find support for the argument of host city backers that the Olympics delivers positive economic benefits, nor of the arguments made by opponents that there is some post-Olympic bust.”

Source: Globe and Mail

2010 - The Year of Sports Tourism

2010-01-10T00:50:00.003-05:00

With a bumper calendar of mega sporting events, sport tourism is set to play a catalytic role in sparking the recovery of global tourism in 2010.

Travel experts predict that the travel industry’s fastest growing sector will post record profits and contribute an astonishing 14% of overall travel and tourism receipts in the year ahead.

July’s World Sport Destination Expo will play a pivotal role, offering the world’s leading sporting destinations a structured opportunity to sign future business and unlock new markets at the first exhibition dedicated to this booming sector.

With 2010 billed “the year of sports tourism”, analysts predict that Canada, South Africa, India, China and Spain are amongst those destinations set for a year of healthy growth.

February will see the Olympic Games return to Canada for the third time as Vancouver plays host to XXI Winter Olympic Games.

Government travel and tourism boards view the Games as a key event to generate interest in Canada, and revitalise its tourism-related industries.

South Africa expects more than 450,000 foreign arrivals for the month long 2010 FIFA World Cup which kick off in Joburg on June 11th.

According to Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the combined success of 2009’s IPL, the British & Irish Lions tour and the Confederations Cup, laid the foundations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to return South Africa to its pre-recession tourism high.

India’s tourism industry is counting on sports tourism to boost inbound visit numbers, which fell 6.3 per cent during 2009. Ashish Kishore, head of hotel and retail business Yatra.com expects October’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi to spark an upsurge in international visitors as well as boost traveller confidence. “If India gives a positive image to the world at that time, then it will be a golden period for Indian tourism,” he said.

The 2010 Asian Games being held in Guangzhou, China 12-27 November completes 2010’s quartet of mega event. Forecasters predict that the 16th Asian Games will break all visitor records as Guangzhou will stage the biggest event in the Asian Games 59-year history.

World Sport Destination Expo – the first ever exhibition dedicated to the $600 billion a year sport tourism industry – will take place in Johannesburg in the final week of the FIFA World Cup.

Source: Breaking Travel News

Asian Sports Hub & Tourism Conference 2010

2010-01-03T23:42:00.008-05:00

The sports tourism industry continues to be one of the most important economic drivers to growth in many economies, including in Asia. The region’s economic resilience and growth for the past ten years have created an increasing affluent population seeking new and exciting travel destinations within and outside Asia.

Alongside this growth in the aforementioned sector comes greater competition among nations to distinguish themselves from each other. Various nations are competing hard to host high profile events such as the Youth Olympics Games and F1 Grand Prix as the economic spin-offs created by these sporting projects are believed to be significant.

The Asian Sports Hub & Tourism Conference 2010 will be dedicated to the development of a world class sports city and a sustainable sports industry. This event aims to gather expertise from all over the world in engineering, building and construction, risk management, legal, financing, marketing and sponsorship, security, logistics, hospitality, sports medicine and sports products.

The two-day conference will be held at the Sheraton Hotel, Singapore on January 27 and 28, 2010.

For more information, visit the official website.

Source: Press Release

Thomas Cook begins promoting £20m London 2012 sponsorship

2009-12-23T01:03:00.004-05:00

Thomas Cook has launched a promotional campaign across its shop network after a £20 million deal to become a sponsor of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the only provider of UK short breaks to the event.

The company is promoting the partnership on window posters in Thomas Cook shops, its brochures, tickets, and on its 94 aircraft. Travel agents have been trained on selling the product and been shown promotional videos on the event.

Chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said the deal was the first of its kind.

He added: "It will drive people to the high-street shops. I think there will be huge demand and our staff are very excited about it; there is a real buzz in our organisation. I remember what it was like for the last Football World Cup and this is a much bigger event."

He admitted the travel industry's core overseas holiday sales could be hit by the 2012 Games, but hoped Thomas Cook would benefit from its exclusive sponsorship deal. The company has already raised with its overseas hoteliers. He added: "It's going to have an impact; there's no question about it," he said.

It is estimated Thomas Cook will sell more than 250,000 tickets across all events with its packages - accounting for around 3% of tickets on sale for the Games overall. The number of tickets for certain events will be capped. "We are expecting there to be too much interest for the [mens'] 100-metre event," he added.

The company is now allowing pre-registrations for packages, including tickets to the Games, through its shops and online at thomascook.com. Tickets go on sale in May 2011.

Fontenla-Novoa, who anticipates half of bookings to come through Thomas Cook's retail chain and half online, promised a wide range of prices. "There will be a range of accommodation up to five-star packages and all sorts of travel from coaches to private aircraft," he said.

London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) chief executive Paul Deighton agreed: "There will be a substantial number of tickets that will be affordable. We want to make sure we have full stadia and the atmosphere is as electric as we can make it."

Thomas Cook has paid cash to become a tier two sponsor of the Games. There are three tiers: tier one sponsors pay around £40 million, tier two from £20 million and tier three sponsors £10 million. Fontenla-Novoa added: "We made a big financial commitment to this, but it's about much more than making money - I'm not sure we could put a value on it."

Meanwhile, the company said its sports division - also an appointed travel company for the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa - is likely to double its profits year on year and would continue to grow.

Related article: T. Cook becomes official sponsor of London 2012

Source: Travel Weekly

Toronto, Canada wins 2015 PanAm Games

2009-11-11T20:56:00.007-05:00

Will bring jobs, 250,000 visitors, new facilities for region

GUADALAJARA, MEXICO, November 6, 2009 – Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe region has been chosen to host the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. The decision was made by the Pan American Sport Organization (PASO) in Guadalajara, Mexico.

“We are thrilled,” said Toronto 2015 Bid Chair, the Hon. David Peterson. “We would like to thank PASO and in particular, PASO President, Mario Vasquez Rana for having confidence in us and allowing us this great honour. We will work hard to stage the best Pan and Parapan Am Games ever.”

The Pan American Games are among the premium amateur athletic competitions in the world. Toronto 2015 is expected to attract 10,000 participants and 250,000 visitors from the 42 participating countries in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.

“We look forward to welcoming the PASO family and athletes from across the Americas and Caribbean to Toronto in 2015,” said Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. “In fact, we hope they’ll stay a few weeks to enjoy a province that offers a non-stop summer of fun and excitement.”

“Canada is excited to be chosen to host the Americas in 2015,” said the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of State (Sport). “The Government of Canada will continue to work with the Government of Ontario, Toronto and the other municipalities, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee, and the future 2015 Toronto Organizing Committee in the years to come to ensure the success of the Games.”

Toronto was chosen as host site over competitors Bogota, Colombia and Lima, Peru. The winning city’s $1.4-billion plan is built around a core of existing and proven world-class facilities used for professional sports, six new athletic venues and a well-designed, sustainable athlete’s village on Toronto’s waterfront. New venues include a stadium for athletics, indoor velodrome, Canadian Sports Institute facility and Aquatics Centre, as well as two additional 50-metre pools.

“It was our enthusiasm to welcome the world, our love of sports and the way people from more than 100 countries have come together to build a dynamic, safe and green city that made the difference,” said Toronto Mayor David Miller. “I know all of Toronto will join us in making every athlete and visitor feel welcome and at home. The Games presents us with a tremendous opportunity to make the kinds of investment in social and sports infrastructure that will benefit Toronto for decades to come.”

“For us, the Games’ legacy of new competition and training facilities for Ontario’s and indeed Canada’s athletes is most important,” said Michael Chambers, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee which formally submitted the bid. “They will provide much needed new and improved training and competition opportunities for high-performance athletes in and around the Toronto area, and provide valuable community resources for promoting physical fitness and health, especially among our youth.”

The Pan Am Games are a major international multi-sport event, held every four years for athletes of the 42 PASO member nations. The Pan American Games consists of all Summer Olympic sports, plus other non-Olympic events, and serve as an Olympic-qualifier for a number of participating sports. The Toronto 2015 Pan American Games will take place July 10-26 and the Parapan American Games August 7-14. The last edition of the games was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2007 and the next is for Guadalajara, Mexico in October 2011.

Source: Press Release

Rio Wins the 2016 Olympics: Now Comes the Hard Part

2009-10-02T13:12:00.005-04:00

Rio de Janeiro is rightfully and proudly celebrating a historic victory: being named the host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics, the first South American city to host one of humankind's truly global extravaganzas. If all goes right, it will be a most memorable celebration. Athletes will participate either in or close to world famous icons such as the Maracana soccer stadium, the spiritual home of the "beautiful game," and bodacious Copacabana beach. Some events, like rowing or triathlon, will take place in the shadow of Sugarloaf mountain and the outstretched arms of Christ the Redeemer. Ah, but note that conditional: if all goes right. There is much preparation and building to do. And if it all doesn't go right, the Olympic celebration is likely to lead to much recrimination.

Cariocas, as the residents of Rio call themselves, are still reeling from the cost of the last big athletic event held in their city. The budget for the Pan American Games of 2007 was $177 million. It probably cost several times that at the end (some reports estimate it at close to $2 billion). For the biggest athletic event of all, the Rio Olympic organizing committee has set its budget at $2.82 billion, with another $11.1 billion going to related expenses such as transport, power and security. (Another $170 million has been set aside for the Paralympic Games which usually follow right after the Olympics.)

There are eight existing venues that need to be renovated in time for the Games, including the João Havelange Stadium where the track and field events will take place. Three of the venues are new, built for the Pan Am Games; however, they do not meet the IOC's size or technical standards. The velodrome for track cycling, the aquatics center for diving and water polo and the João Havelange Stadium all need extensive work. The existing sites for archery, sailing, rowing, equestrian, shooting, kayak and rowing, as well as the route of the marathon also need work. All told $200 million has been set aside for upgrades.

Meanwhile, another 11 permanent venues costing an estimated $674 million are to be constructed for basketball, judo, taekwondo, wrestling, handball, modern pentathlon, fencing, tennis, swimming and synchronized swimming, canoe and kayak slaloms, and BMX cycling. Then, at least $78 million will be spent on seven temporary structures for beach volleyball, triathlon, marathon swimming, race walking, road cycling, weightlifting, hockey, mountain biking and modern pentathlon. Rio has promised to spend $427 million on an athlete's village that replicates "the outdoor lifestyle of Rio's beachside neighborhoods" (and no doubt swings to the sounds of samba and bossa nova). And, if that isn't enough of a taste of Brazil, a dedicated shuttle bus will take athletes to a beach set aside exclusively for participants.

As if that isn't enough to deal with, two very large issues are tourist lodgings and security. Rio lacks hotel rooms, and although it has promised to increase the number available before 2016, some of the promised beds are on private cruise ships, a situation that worried the IOC enough to question the strategy's reliability and accountability. Another issue is street violence. The games committee lauded what they called Rio's "increased public safety and reductions in crime." But the number of homicides in the city is rising again and is up 9.9% so far this year. Officials would likely flood the city with troops and police as they did for the Pan Am Games in 2007. But such a military presence will weigh down any party atmosphere. Safety remains a troubling issue.

Nevertheless winning the Games is a huge boost for Rio. The decision promises to transform a city that has fallen into disrepair and has been looking for a purpose since losing its capital city status in 1960 to the modernist built-to-order jungle metropolis of Brasilia. The massive investment will rejuvenate it. In fact, organizers and government administrators believe that every Brazilian real spent on the Games will generate three in profit.

The entire Olympic bid has been extremely popular: one study showed 85% of Cariocas and 69% of Brazilians supported the city's candidacy. Indeed, Cariocas consider the 2007 Pan American Games a big success, but they do so by overlooking the costs and organizational snafus. To secure the Pan Ams, Rio promised to transform the city with a new ring road system, a "via light" highway, a new state highway and 54 km of new metro line. Guanabara Bay, the fetid body of water whose smell assails visitors driving into town from the international airport, was to be cleaned up. None of those plans came to fruition, prompting the current mayor, and former state Sports Secretary, to admit that the city promised too much and provided too little.

The Brazilian government may have to step in to help out. How it will do so will be clearer in the next two years as the country prepares for the 2014 World Cup. So far, the indications are not great. The country was awarded soccer's big championship almost two years ago, but work has yet to start on the 12 stadiums needed for that spectacle. Meanwhile, a much-talked about bullet train linking São Paulo and Rio is yet to leave the drawing board. Many officials now doubt whether it will be ready in time for the World Cup. Brazil and Rio can party now and celebrate. But then it's time to roll up sleeves. There's a ton of work to do if they want to throw an even bigger party in 2016.

Source: Time

Close race to host 2016 Olympics nears finish

2009-09-26T19:35:00.011-04:00

LONDON — Close your eyes and imagine the possible scenarios in 2016.
Olympic athletes strolling to competition venues along Chicago's lakefront. Volleyball players diving on the sand of Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach. Cyclists whizzing past Tokyo's Imperial Palace. Soccer players curling free kicks in Madrid's Bernabeu stadium.

After a two-year global campaign featuring four world-class cities, one of the closest bid races in Olympic history will be decided next Friday in a vote of the International Olympic Committee in Copenhagen.

Although IOC votes -- by secret ballot over several rounds -- can be highly unpredictable, Rio and Chicago look to be the main contenders.

At stake is international prestige, billions of dollars in potential investment and economic spinoffs, and the honor of staging the world's biggest sports extravaganza.

The decision may come down to two key issues: Will President Barack Obama go to Copenhagen to pitch Chicago's case in person? Is the IOC ready to take a bit of a gamble on Rio and send the Olympics to South America for the first time?

"I expect a vote difference of a couple of votes only," IOC president Jacques Rogge told The Associated Press in a recent interview. "There is no favorite. There is no bid that is lagging behind. All the scenarios are possible."

Technical issues, emotion, sentiment, geography, politics, self-interest and other intangibles all play a role in IOC votes.

In this race, Rio -- besides its iconic beaches and stunning backdrop -- has the strongest emotional pull of the four candidates: The Olympics have never been held in South America and the time has come to try something new.

"For others it would be just another Olympics, but for Brazil it would be something to raise the self esteem of the people," Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said this week. "No other city needs to host an Olympics. Brazil needs it. ... Do only rich countries have the right to host the Olympics?"

With Africa the only other continent that hasn't staged an Olympics, Rio's argument has resonated with many IOC members who espouse the "universality" of the games and like to make a geopolitical statement by taking the event to new territories.

"There is sympathy of course for Rio because the games have never been in South America," IOC executive board member Denis Oswald said. "In principle, yes, it would be nice for the universality of the games that we go to a new continent that has never organized games, but only if we are confident that all the technical and other requirements are met."

Rio has bid before, but failed to make the list of finalists for the 2004 and 2012 Olympics. Another South American city -- Buenos Aires, Argentina -- fell short in the vote for 2004, as did a bid from Cape Town, South Africa.

But this time, Rio has made a convincing case for taking the Olympics to a new frontier.

"I'd say for the first time, it's a realistic choice," senior Canadian IOC member Dick Pound said. "We had Cape Town and we've had Brazil and Buenos Aires before. They were there as sort of signals that someday it would be possible. Now you have a real choice. Whether they're prepared to do it is another question.

"You try to pick the least risky place recognizing that they all have some element of risk," he said.

Chicago is bidding to bring the Summer Games back to the U.S. for the first time since Atlanta in 1996. The bid, which would bring the games back to the Olympics' most lucrative market for sponsorships and television rights, is centered on a compact plan putting most athletes within 15 minutes of their venues along picturesque Lake Michigan.

Chicago's hopes could ultimately depend on whether Obama goes to Copenhagen for the vote. Tony Blair, then Britain's prime minister, was instrumental in London's victory when he traveled to Singapore in 2005; and Vladimir Putin helped Sochi get the 2014 Winter Games when he went to Guatemala City in 2007.

Silva and King Juan Carlos of Spain and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez will be in Copenhagen. Tokyo is urging new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama to attend, though he hasn't decided yet.

Obama -- who calls Chicago home -- contacted Rogge on Sept. 11 to inform him he wouldn't be traveling to Denmark because of his commitment to reforming American health care, and was sending first lady Michelle Obama and senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett.

However, the White House sent an advance team to Copenhagen this week to make preparations in case the president decides to join his wife at the last minute -- possibly arriving and departing on the day of the vote.

"If he can be persuaded to go, I think it makes a huge difference," Pound said. "He's a transformational figure in the world today."

Obama has sent a letter to IOC members saying the Olympics would be an "extraordinary opportunity for America to renew our bonds of friendship and welcome the world to our shores with open arms."

Chicago overcame one of its biggest hurdles when the city council approved all financial guarantees for the games, clearing the way for Mayor Richard M. Daley to sign the host city contract if Chicago wins. That was a major step for a U.S. bid city, which -- unlike rival candidates -- can't rely on federal government financial backing.

Yet the Chicago bid could still be affected by lingering anti-U.S. sentiment in the European-dominated IOC and resentment over contentious issues with the U.S. Olympic Committee, including the American body's share of Olympic revenues and plans -- now on hold -- for its own Olympic television network.

British bookmakers list Chicago as an odds-on favorite, followed by Rio, Tokyo and Madrid.

But Rio seemed to pick up the unofficial front-runner's tag in June when the bid cities made presentations to IOC members in a specially arranged meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland. Rio officials made a splash by unveiling a big world map with dots showing where all the Olympics have been held -- and an empty space for South America.

Brazil also claims it is a growing financial power that has been less affected by the global downturn than the other bid countries. It also cites the experience of hosting the 2007 Pan American Games and Brazil's selection as host of the 2014 World Cup, an event which could help prepare infrastructure for the Olympics two years later.

Geography often plays a big role, though the IOC has no official policy of geographical rotation of the games.

Tokyo, which hosted the 1964 Olympics, offers a first-class technical bid and claims it is the safest bet at a time of financial uncertainty and already has $4 billion in the bank for the games. Yet, there is a sense among some IOC members that it would be soon to go back to Asia after last year's stunning Beijing Olympics.

Madrid, which is bidding for a second straight time after a failed attempt for the 2012 Games, also has a strong candidacy with 77 percent of venues already in place. However, it must contend with a reluctance to return to Europe after London in 2012 and Sochi in 2014.

"Although there is no geographical rotation, I think there is a feeling that the games might go west," British IOC member Craig Reedie said. "In which case, you have a choice of two Western Hemisphere cities (Chicago and Rio). The emotional argument is with Rio with regards to the games having never been in South America before."

The result could also hinge on the vagaries of the IOC voting system. Ninety-nine of the IOC's 106 members are eligible to vote in the first round (members from countries with bid cities can't vote while their candidate is still in contention).

The city receiving the fewest votes is eliminated after each round until one candidate secures a majority. The vote is expected to go the maximum three rounds.

Some members tend to vote out of sympathy in the first round, which can produce some surprises. The key to victory is picking up votes from the cities which go out.

If Tokyo were to go out in the first round, it is believed many of its votes would go to Chicago. If Madrid goes out, the consensus is they would go to Rio.

"The real issue for all four cities is to make sure that as far as they can their committed friends vote for them right from round one," Reedie said. "There is danger to all four cities in the first round. After that I'm afraid I have no idea where people might go."

The final 45-minute presentations -- featuring speeches and videos -- also have a role. The consensus is a city doesn't win because of a good presentation, but could lose because of a bad one.

For the first time, there are no IOC executive board meetings in the days leading up to the vote. That means there will be much less opportunity for lobbying and schmoozing. Most IOC members won't be arriving until the day before the vote.

Each city will be bringing celebrity supporters to Copenhagen, including Pele for Brazil and talk show queen Oprah Winfrey for Chicago.

In the end, Rogge said, it will all come down to which bid organizers the members trust most.

"Everything being equal between the four candidates," he said, "I think it's the human factor that will be most important."

Source: USA Today

New ATP CEO planning All-Star event

2009-09-10T18:51:00.002-04:00

NEW YORK — Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer in a serving speed contest? How about Rafael Nadal vs. Andy Murray in a timed race to chase down drop shots?

Those are the kind of matchups that could be featured at an All-Star showcase the head of the men's tennis tour is introducing next year as part of his efforts to help boost the sport's popularity.

"We're looking at it as a way to extend our reach, to reach more casual sports fans and tennis fans," Adam Helfant told The Associated Press on Tuesday in his first one-on-one interview since becoming the ATP's chief executive in January.

"It seems to work in other sports. We'll see if it works here. Our players think it will work."

The idea is to have a one- or two-day event in March, during the week before the hard-court tournament in Indian Wells, Calif., including a skills competition, pro-am celebrity doubles matches and an awards show. There have been preliminary talks about a TV deal.

Not interested in making any immediate changes to the game itself — no on-court coaching, the way the WTA tour allows, for example — Helfant is more concerned at the moment with off-court promotion and marketing.

He would, for example, like to generate more buzz at the beginning of the season, saying that's something other sports manage to do better than tennis. He's not sure whether anything can be put in place by the start of 2010, but he wants fans paying more attention in the days leading to the Australian Open each January.

Helfant, who grew up in New York, has an engineering degree from MIT and a law degree from Harvard. He worked for the NHL and in global marketing for Nike — getting to know tennis players such as Federer and Maria Sharapova while negotiating their endorsement contracts — before being hired by the ATP.

Touching on various topics, Helfant said he does not consider doping or match-fixing a "significant problem" for tennis. He also noted there are "some very serious conversations with a number of interested parties" that could result in a long-term deal with a new major sponsor beginning in 2010.

Mercedes-Benz ended its sponsorship of the ATP tour when its contract expired in 2008. The carmaker had been one of the tour's main global sponsors since 1996.

"We understand that we have a hole in terms of not having a tour-wide sponsor," Helfant said. "We have not replaced Mercedes yet. At the beginning of the year, it was very difficult to even get meetings. Companies and industries are hurting, and the tour isn't immune to that."

Source: The Associated Press

Rio's 2016 Olympic Bid Continues To Gain Momentum at a Critical Time

2009-09-03T00:47:00.002-04:00

Based on findings in the International Olympic Committee’s technical evaluation report of the 2016 Olympic bid cities, Rio de Janeiro has a lot to be excited about. All four candidates received generally favorable evaluations in the report released Wednesday, but the language used in Rio's summary seemed to favor its bid - if only by a small margin.

Speaking to GamesBids.com from London, President of Rio 2016 Carlos Nuzman found it difficult to contain his excitement.

“It is fair to say that Rio has a very positive report and possibly the most favorable of all”, Nuzman said boldly.

“The IOC report is a real boost to the Rio bid.”

While the IOC did point out some weaknesses in Rio's plans - they followed each of these points with a benefit. Referring to a potential conflict in preparations between Brazil’s 2014 FIFA World Cup and a 2016 Olympic Games, Rio 2016 Secretary General Carlos Osorio picked up on the spin.

“Our communication plans take into consideration that the World Cup is going to be there. We think that both events can work very well together; there’s a big synergy between both of them and we don't see any challenges just advantages and synergies in having the World Cup” Osorio explained to GamesBids.com.

“And quite frankly if you notice that the United States, Japan and Spain are also bidding for the 2018 World Cup you can see that everybody thinks that's a great idea to have both events with two years apart; but only Brazil has got the World Cup already and most importantly before the Olympic Games.”

Rio was a questionable addition to the candidate list last year after it stood fifth in an initial IOC evaluation report. In fact Rio trailed behind Doha, Qatar - a city that was eliminated from the bid. Rio failed to make the same cut when they bid for the 2012 games.

However, Brazil's bid has been steadily gaining momentum over the past year. Presentations in Denver and Lausanne this year drew rare applause from IOC members and it was clear that Rio had become a sentimental favorite based on the bid’s desire to host the Games in South America for the very first time.

Now with only a month to go, the evaluation report is concrete evidence that Rio is a bid to beat.

Source: GameBids.com

X-Games might land in Montreal in 2010

2009-08-14T00:50:00.004-04:00

MONTREAL – Montreal tourism officials and promoters of the X-Games are continuing efforts to bring the event to Montreal next year.

But a major obstacle so far is finding a major sponsor willing to invest well over half a million dollars for the highest level of visibility.

Still, X-Games managing director Rick Alessandri said he is hopeful the event can be held in Montreal in the fall of 2010 and a formal announcement could be made by next month.

“Our discussions with city officials have been very promising,” Alessandri said from New York City. “We think Montreal would be a great market for an X-Games event.”

The target date would be “late summer next year.”

The X-Games focus on extreme action sports in both winter and summer versions. The Summer X Games were held in Los Angeles this year. The events featured include skateboarding and freestyle Motocross, with concurrent live music, and interactive elements. Events are televised on ESPN and ABC.

Alessandri declined to identify which officials he had been talking to. Tourism Montreal officials were not available to comment.

Attracting local sponsorship is the main hurdle, Alessandri said.

“These events cost multimillion dollars to bring to a community,” he noted.

The highest level of sales and sponsorship packages cost from “high six figures” to less for associate deals.

Additional revenue would come from any TV deals, which also have to be arranged.

The city of Montreal believes the X-Games would be “a welcome event - it’s hugely popular,” but is not directly involved in this privately sponsored event, city spokesperson Darren Becker said.

Source: The Montreal Gazette

Tourism Ministry of India goes sporty to woo foreign tourists

2009-08-01T17:16:00.003-04:00

Known more for the monuments, heritage and culture, India is not one of the foremost destinations as far as sports tourism is concerned. In a bid to explore this aspect and take the Incredible India campaign a step further, the Ministry of Tourism had given its nod to European sports channel Eurosport in June 2009 to shoot a special show, ‘Sports Trip’, in India.

‘Sports Trip’ is a globetrotting format looking at local sports and sporting hot-spots around the world. Following the Ministry nod, Eurosport had sent a crew to India to produce a programme on sports and Indian culture. The total production related cost has been pegged at around $200,000, whereas the air time is around $680,000.

Mediascope Publicitas, one of India’s largest international media representation houses and also one of the largest custom media specialists in the country, is the exclusive media sales partners to Eurosport in India. Mediascope Publicitas is said to have had introduced the medium to the Ministry of Tourism and convinced them on the need to use the appeal of sports in Europe to Incredible India’s advantage. The company is also said to have convinced Eurosport to invest in the Incredible India partnership.

The objective

In an email interaction, Marzban Patel, CEO, Mediascope Publicitas India, said, “The purpose is to highlight sports tourism opportunities in India. This initiative will go a long way in exposing India to the European nations, enticing millions to visit, participate and indulge in different experiences. This is a first effort for India by Eurosport and is in support of a focused communication programme initiated by the Ministry of Tourism. It is an attempt to expose India’s varied tourism facilities other than cultural, heritage, medical to a European audience through the European sports channel. We are very pleased with the results and are currently in dialogue with other Indian companies to take advantage of the power of the medium, both TV and digital.”

India as a sports tourism destination

How has this initiative helped attract tourists to the country? Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, explained, “The tourism industry stakeholders were quick to make use of our marketing initiatives and have been promoting sports tourism. The tour operators had also been organising Golf Tours, etc. We hope the interest in diving and traditional sports will also grow with the show ‘Sports Trip’ going on air. Besides this, the Ministry of Tourism has also produced television commercials on Skiing in Gulmarg (Kashmir) and diving in the Andaman Islands. We have also been showcasing rural sports. In terms of the immediate inflow of tourists, it is too early to know that as the show has just gone on air. However, we hope that this show will position India as a sports tourism destination.”

Role of sports marketing

On the role of sports/sports marketing in driving tourism, Nandan explained, “India may not be seen as a sports tourism market in a purist sense as compared to America. But it is a country where promotions are in huge demand. They could be sports-led or entertainment-led. I am using the term promotions in a broad sense, which means selling your product, enhancing visibility. In India, companies see buying a banner as just that, when it is much more. It represents visibility. Sport engages people like no other genre. There is an emotional intensity and high level of focus while involved with sports. It maintains people’s attention and allows them to escape into another world. Hence, it can be used as a medium to attract travelers who are on the lookout to escape, relax and enjoy adventure.”

‘Sport Trip’ is a five-edition series telecast on Eurosport, which takes an in-depth look at some of India’s sports in the most treasured unknown areas. It covers not just cricket, but has brought to viewers golf in Delhi, yoga, martial arts, etc. All these shows have already been aired, for instance, Cricket on May 30, Golf on June 6, Diving on June 13, Kalariyapattu (a martial arts form from Kerala) on June 20, and Yoga on June 27. The series, which started airing on EuroSports from early June 2009 during the evening primetime slot on Saturdays, will continue till July 2009.

Source: exchange4media

An Indiana (USA) city is using sports tourism as a way to draw visitors and pump money into the local economy

2009-07-18T20:16:00.003-04:00

FORT WAYNE, IN --- The City of Fort Wayne is increasingly using sports tourism as a way to draw visitors and pump money into the local economy.

A new economic development tool seems to be helping the city get its foot in the door to host events.

The old adage, "You have to spend money to make money" has application in Fort Wayne's pursuit of becoming a player in the sports tourism arena.

The city is still riding high from the announcement this spring that Fort Wayne secured the right to host the IHSAA girls’ basketball state finals at the Memorial Coliseum.

Just this week, the city revealed seven Big Ten soccer teams are coming to town next year for pre-season matches and youth clinics.

A 40-thousand dollar Community Economic Development Income Tax or “CEDIT” Grant created by Mayor Tom Henry, called the Sports Business Development Grant, was instrumental in helping with hosting fees, start-up costs and other promotional expenses.

Art Saltsberg/Ft. Wayne Sports Corporation: " These sports development grants that now exist, that was the city's doing. In a time when municipalities can't come up with money for much of anything, it was great the city came up with these funds to help us attract events here."

The city is also highlighting its new downtown minor league baseball park and anticipates the opening of a new ice arena to host hockey tournaments.

They are venues that promise to draw more sports enthusiasts looking to spend money in the community.

Source: Indiana's NewsCenter

Real Madrid recruits seen drawing more Asian tourists to Spain

2009-07-17T00:31:00.005-04:00

MADRID (AFP) — Real Madrid's recruitment of star players like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Brazil's Kaka will lead to an increase in visitors from Asia to Spain, a tourism trade body predicted.

Juan Melian, the head of the Tourism Panel which groups about 30 major tourism-related companies, said the arrival of players "with an extraordinary media impact in the Asian market would boost the appeal of Madrid and the rest of the country as a holiday destination to thousands of football fans."

"Sports serves as a great promotional showcase for any country," he added in a statement.

Last month Real signed C. Ronaldo from Manchester United for a record of around 94 million euros and Kaka from AC Milan for 65 million euros as the Spanish giants returned to the era of the "galacticos" or "superstars".

Club president Florentino Perez, who was restored at the helm of Real in June elections, was also responsible for a similar policy from 2000-2006 and is splashing the cash again to restore the team's fortunes.

During his first stint at the club Perez signed Portugal's Luis Figo, England's David Beckham, France's Zinedine Zidane and Brazil's Ronaldo who drew large crowds during the tours of Asia which Real carried out during the period.

The museum at Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium with its trophy room where all the club's championship cups are displayed is one of the Spanish capital's key attractions.

About 700,000 people visit the museum each year, according to Real.

Melian also predicted that the role which Spanish forward Pau Gasol played in helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the NBA championship this season would help increase the number of visitors to Spain from the United States.

Spain has slipped to third place in the ranking of most-visited countries in the world, behind the United States and France, according to the UN World Tourism Organisation.

The country received 57.4 million tourists in 2008, a 2.6 percent decline over the previous year and the first fall in over a decade, according to national statistics institute INE.

Europe accounts for the bulk of all visitors to Spain. The tourism sector accounts for about 11 percent of the country's jobs and gross domestic product.

Source: AFP

Italy looks forward to Baseball World Cup in September

2009-07-15T00:05:00.004-04:00

On his way back from the G8 in the city of Aquila, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Italy Franco Frattini stopped Tuesday at Villa Madama and delivered the World Cup of Baseball to the Mayor of Rome Gianni Alemanno during a press conference.

“Rome will host the headquarters of the tournament and will support the organizers in many ways” said Alemanno “As you know, some of the most important games of this World Cup will be played in Nettuno, including the final on September 27th. So, this is a tournament that will give visibility to the whole metropolitan area of Rome”.

The Province of Rome will promote the event in New York later in July.

“Actually” explained Patrizia Prestipino, the Deputy for Sport and Tourism of the Province of Rome “We expect a relevant presence of incoming tourists from the USA. We believe our beaches have a lot of potential and of course there’s the tourism linked to the memory of those who lost their life in this area during World War 2. Their sacrifice has always been a very strong link between Nettuno and the United States of America”.

During the Press Conference the Minister of the Environment Stefania Prestigiacomo has announced that the organizers of the Italian part of the World Cup have obtained the status of Green Event from the European Union and that the event has also been certified according to the regulation ISO 14001.

“We took pretty seriously the directives of the International Federation” said Prestigiacomo “And we are proud to say that we are ready to have an event that will respect environment in every part of its organization”.

The President of the Organizing Committee of the Italian part of the tournament Mauro Miccio also explained that a series of movies inspired to baseball will be distributed before and during the World Cup in schools of the cities that are hosting the tournament and that Rome will host in the San Michele complex and exhibition dedicated to Diamonds.

Italian Federation President Riccardo Fraccari announced that ticket sales will be launched in the next few days: “We are all impressed by what the organizing committee have accomplished, hopefully we will make everybody happy on the field”.

The World Cup will give a chance to the Embassies of the countries participating in the tournament to organize slow pitch softball teams and compete in their own tournament.

Source: Mister Baseball

2010 Euroleague Final Four host is Paris

2009-07-12T01:48:00.006-04:00

The best teams in European club basketball will compete for a continental title next season in one of the world's emblematic capitals of sport and culture - Paris. The Euroleague has announced that the French capital will be the host city of the 2010 Final Four, from Friday, May 7 to Sunday, May 9. The games to crown the 2009-10 champion will be played at the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy, an iconic venue in European sports history.

The announcement was made during the first event of the new 2009-10 season, the Euroleague Draw, held in Barcelona on Wednesday. The choice of Paris follows last year’s successful Final Four at the O2 World in Berlin and continues the long-term agreement between the Euroleague and the Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) to partner on a wide range of basketball-related programming, presentation and development initiatives. It also marks the start of close cooperation with the French Basketball Federation and the Ligue Nationale de Basket of France, to make Europe's most important club basketball event another shining success in the City of Light.

"At the turn of a new decade, the Euroleague is delighted to be taking one of the biggest events in the world of sports to a city that needs no introduction as a spectacular setting for great entertainment," Euroleague CEO Jordi Bertomeu said. "Paris has been a cradle of great basketball in Europe for a long time and understands how to showcase our sport. We are sure the fans in France will be thrilled to see the Euroleague's finest teams compete, just as fans from around Europe and beyond will be excited to witness a one-of-a-kind event in such a unique city."

Indeed, for the first time ever, fans can already register through the Euroleague's official website, www.euroleague.net, to receive exclusive access to 2010 Final Four tickets before they are made available to the general public.

Paris joins an all-star list of Final Four host cities this decade that has included such world-class destinations as Berlin, the 2009 host, Madrid 2008, Athens 2007, Prague 2006, Moscow 2005, Tel Aviv 2004, Barcelona 2003 and Bologna 2002. Because it has no Euroleague home team, Paris will become the fourth Final Four host in the last five years to offer a neutral court for the crowning of a new Euroleague champion.

Bercy has been the scene of much European basketball history since it opened in 1984. It has hosted three previous Final Four continental club championships - in 1991, 1996 and 2001 - as well as the 1999 European Championships for national teams, numerous French League Finals and French Federation tournaments.

In addition to the games themselves, which bring the best four teams from the Euroleague season together to decide a champion, the Final Four also features the annual Nike International Junior Tournament and other parallel events. Paris won the right to host the 2010 Final Four amid widespread interest from other major cities.

Source: Euroleague.net

Sports tour operator suing Vancouver Olympics organizing committee

2009-07-10T00:11:00.006-04:00

A Winnipeg-based luxury sports tour operator is suing the Vancouver Olympics organizing committee -- in response to a suit the Game's organizers filed against it.

Roadtrips Inc. has found itself embroiled in a bid by the Vancouver organizing committee (VANOC) to stop the re-selling of tickets to Olympic events.

Roadtrips, which has been in business for 17 years, specializes in luxury tour packages to premier sporting events and luxury accommodations.

At the end of May, VANOC -- the name of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics organizing committee -- filed a suit against Roadtrips, alleging its tour packages include tickets to the Games that they don't have a legal right to sell.

Roadtrips fired back, naming VANOC and its official ticket package provider, Jet Set Sports, and ticket management company, Tickets.com, alleging they are conspiring against Roadtrips to keep it out of the lucrative Olympic ticket resale market.

"We think we have a strong position," David Guenther, Roadtrips president, said.

Roadtrips is selling tour packages to the Vancouver Games that start at $4,675, which includes a four-night stay at a luxury hotel, and tickets for two to three events.

The Roadtrips website (www.roadtrips.com) is also offering tour packages to the 2012 Summer Games, the 2010 World Cup of Soccer in South Africa, the Europe League Final and the Champions League Final.

VANOC alleges that Roadtrips isn't authorized to sell tickets to the Games and that the re-sale of the tickets by anyone else is a violation of the sales agreement with VANOC.

"Legal action is always the last resort for us," a spokesman for VANOC said, adding it would not comment on the dispute while it remains before the courts.

Guenther issued a statement to the media at the end of May when his company was first served with the lawsuit, explaining that it's doing nothing illegal.

"It is Roadtrips' position that it is perfectly legal and established common practice to sell sports travel packages and that this activity is different than the simple re-sale of event tickets; which is also legal in most parts of Canada and the United States.

"By its actions, VANOC is just trying to maintain the monopoly on ticket distribution and travel package sales that is has sold to its U.S. based agent," the statement read.

Roadtrips lawsuit alleges that the exclusive agreements VANOC has with other tour providers are illegal.

None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Guenther said 85 per cent of his firm's clients are from outside Canada, with many of them from the United States.

Source: Winnipeg Free Press (With files from The Canadian Press)

Progress is slow on the Dubailand dream

2009-07-07T23:09:00.004-04:00

The proposed merger between Emaar Properties, Dubai Properties, Sama Dubai and Tatweer has called into question the fate of Dubailand, Dubai’s biggest planned tourist attraction.

Launched in late 2003, Dubailand, which Tatweer is developing, was billed as the Disneyland of the Middle East, only it was to be spread over a sprawling 3 billion square feet (27,870 hectares), making it bigger than the city of Orlando in Florida, the home of its US inspiration.

According to the Dubailand website, the development will have a population of 2.5 million people, including tourists, workers and residents. It also expects 40,000 visitors a day.

But almost six years on, while parts of phase one of Dubailand are ready, progress on the rest of the development, which is scheduled to be delivered in phases up to 2020, has been slow.

As it stands, Dubailand is a far cry from the vibrant colours, playful cartoon characters, thrilling rides and bustling activity of Disneyland. Most of Dubailand exists only on the drawing board. In reality, much of it is an empty landscape.

In the most bustling sector under development, there are construction workers and vehicles, a building with a giant skier coming off the roof, and a six-storey-high model of a red-and-white rocket.

The pace of development has been hit by the global slowdown in travel, falling property prices and tighter finance, forcing Tatweer to review the project last December.

Details of that review are yet to be revealed, although Tatweer said in a recent statement there had been no change in its vision for Dubailand. Its masterplan includes 45 theme-based projects including amusement parks, hotel complexes and leisure facilities.

Five attractions have opened: Dubai Autodrome, Dubai Outlet Mall, Global Village, Jumana Secret of the Desert and Dubai Sports City.

Dubailand is an essential part of Dubai’s aim to attract 15 million visitors a year by 2015, up from 7.5 million last year. The attractions planned at the development would play a vital role in broadening the appeal of the emirate, particularly as a leisure destination for families, according to Alex Kyriakidis, the global managing partner at Deloitte Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure.

“Dubai definitely needs a destination theme park, of the magnitude that a Universal Studios could bring, to be able to market itself to wider niches,” he says.
The marketing director at Tiger Woods Dubai, Liz Riemersma, declined to comment on the impact of the Emaar merger on the project, but said the recent comment that the project was “progressing” still applied.

The multimillion-dirham Tiger Woods development is supposed to be one of the centrepiece projects of Dubailand, with plans for 22 palaces, 100 luxury villas, a 33,445 square metre hotel and 75 mansions.

But the US golfer said last month the golf-themed project had been delayed by at least six months.

Full story: The National
More info: Dubai Sports City

Collier County (South Florida, USA) attracting sporting events more than ever

2009-07-05T22:31:00.006-04:00

In the tourism game, sports marketing is scoring big in Collier County (South Florida, USA).

More sports events are coming to the area, filling hotel rooms and generating business for restaurants, shops and attractions. The last three years have brought tremendous growth with a greater focus on luring tournaments, races and other competitions to the county.

Behind the effort is the Sports Council of Collier County, a nonprofit that works in partnership with hoteliers, the Collier County Parks and Recreation Department and the county’s tourism bureau.

A big chunk of the money for sports marketing comes from a small slice of the tourist tax — a 4 percent tax charged on all hotel rooms and other short-term rentals in the county. Hoteliers also kick in money, along with support from the county and other businesses.

The Sports Council is headed up by Ralph Pryor, 64, who describes himself as the “lone ranger.” There are no other paid employees at the council. There’s no budget for it.

“It’s like a one-person show right now being the sports marketing coordinator,” said Pryor, who has been at the job since the full-time position was created nearly three years ago.

Sports tourism continues to grow. It’s helping to make up for a general slowdown in the industry, and in particular a drop in the group/meetings business in Collier County.

“Very rarely do recessions affect sports travel,” said Pryor, who has been involved with athletic events for 40 years.

“Some prognosticators have gone out on a limb and called this business recession-proof.”

Full story: Naples Daily News

Concern over London 2012 legacy - report

2009-07-01T01:40:00.008-04:00

More needs to be done if the London 2012 Olympics are to leave the legacy promised when the city was chosen as Games host, a London Assembly committee said on Wednesday.

Organisers are falling short on delivering employment targets, tourism strategy and sports participation, the assembly's Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee said in a report.

"The promise of a legacy was a significant factor in London winning the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Urban and social regeneration, and increased sports participation, were to be the hallmarks of these Games," said Dee Doocey, chair of the committee.

"Some aspects are on track, but there are still areas that need more attention to deliver the promises that were made."

The report praised the clean-up of the former industrial site in Stratford, east London, where the Olympic Park is being built, and its green credentials, but said other aspects were of concern.

These included the failure to address gaps in the provision of sports facilities, especially for young people with disabilities.

The overall vision for the tourism strategy lacked detail and lacked funds, the report added.

It also said only 112 local unemployed workers had found work on the construction site, though it did recognise the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) had met its target of employing between 10 percent and 15 percent of the workforce from the five Olympic boroughs.

It recommended giving residents free or discounted access to sporting activities, and more jobs for local people.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, should develop a more effective tourism strategy, including better low budget accommodation and fair prices.

Source: Guardian.co.uk

World Cup To Offer Sports Travel Tradeshow

2009-06-28T02:00:00.008-04:00

Plans have just been unveiled for the world’s first sport tourism exhibition. The ground-breaking World Sport Destination Expo will take place during the FIFA 2010 World Cup in the Official Host City, Johannesburg from 5-9 July 2010.

World Sport Destination Expo will provide an unrivalled market place for sports tourism – at least 250,000 visitors are expected, including the leading decision-makers from sport and tourism as they congregate in Johannesburg ahead of the final match of FIFA World Cup 2010.

“We have been overwhelmed with the uptake for World Sport Destination Expo,” says Chris Frost, Event Director, World Sport Destination Expo. “Sport and tourism are becoming ever-increasingly linked, so hosting the event in Johannesburg during FIFA 2010 has elicited an overwhelming response. The timing also coincides with the FIFA World Congress, which also takes place at the Sandton Convention Centre, so the attendees are guaranteed be a who’s who of the sporting world.”

The event will feature an exhibition area of 10,000 square metres. Over 400 exhibiting companies representing international sports federations, host cities of top sporting events, tourist boards, global hotel chains and resorts will meet to conduct business with the top buyers from the sport tourism industry.

Running concurrently with the exhibition will also be a sports tourism conference, featuring a line-up of leading speakers and delegates drawn from sports, tourism and sports tourism industries.

Chris Frost adds: “If you work in sports and tourism, or if you want to learn how to tap into a market now worth $600 billion a year and rising, this will be the ultimate forum to show your product to the world and conduct lucrative business deals.”

Source: Travel Daily News
Related Links: World Sport Destination Expo

A new turn on the circuit: Grand Prix tourism

2009-06-25T23:15:00.004-04:00

As Formula One has expanded to ever more exotic locations around the world, a new industry has developed: Grand Prix tourism. Mixing attendance at a sports event with tourism is not exclusive to Formula One, but the series at the pinnacle of motor racing with its advanced technology, big business stakes and highly paid drivers and team personnel attracts the kind of clients that travel companies like.

The typical Formula One spectator is affluent and willing to pay for the extras - a party, high-class travel and a few days' travel before or after a race - and travel agencies, Web sites and Formula One itself are nurturing this segment of the travel industry.

"We were targeting the sport, but we were trying to widen the database," said Mariah Feirooz, projects director of etours-grandprix.co.uk, a division of Emerald Global travel. "As a travel agent, we're all targeting petrol heads," the hard-core racing fans. "And there's one way you do it - you fly in and you fly out - but we weren't after that market. We wanted to lengthen the stay beyond three days, because on the long hauls it is just not going to happen."

"So even though we're targeting the race as the main feature, the actual organization of the holiday isn't," she added. "It takes the focus off the racing to do other things - it's more about a destination than just a race."

Her company is promoting the Hungarian Grand Prix on its Web site as "the perfect opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful cities in central Europe."

As cities like Valencia, Abu Dhabi and Singapore and countries like Malaysia and Turkey use Formula One to brand themselves as sports or tourism centers, they are attracting people that might not otherwise have gone there, for tourism during the race, and increasingly, for return visits.

It is the problem of the distance to the new venues from the sport's core audience in Europe that has spurred the trend.

"To fly for at least 12 hours just for a weekend is not going to convince most clientele," Feirooz said. "By the time you go there and back it's a day, or a day and a half with the time difference. So to encourage people to go and see a race, there have to be more elements that we have to offer."

"It's basically, there's more to a race than high-speed cars," she added.

There's also more to her Formula One business strategy - which she started in 2001 - than meets the eye.

"We analyzed our business potential for the Malaysian Grand Prix and there were a lot of females involved in the decision-making process," Feirooz said. "If you targeted the ladies, you'd get a lot more people going. We said to the ladies: 'Why don't you spend three days doing what you want to do - going to the beach, getting a tan, doing the bar - all that kind of stuff. And then doing the male thing of the race weekend. It worked."

The exchange rates also helped encourage the British clientele as it cost almost as much to do a race in Europe as in Malaysia.

"Where you could spend £500 to £600" - or about $1,000 to $1,200 - "for a race weekend in Europe, you could put it up by £50 to £70 and literally do five nights in Southeast Asia," said Feirooz.

Australia, she said, is another popular destination, and whole families book a trip of two to three weeks around the race to see the country.

Cashing in on tourism runs right through the sport now, because the official Web site, Formula1.com, is also offering a race travel service. The Hilton Hotels chain, which has been a sponsor of the McLaren Mercedes team for the past three years, has created a motor racing club, Hilton Racing.

"With Hilton Racing, we created a promotional entity under which we could market our involvement in Formula One and possibly other motor sports as well," said Robin Fenwick, director of sports sponsorship for Hilton Hotels. "Members get discounted breaks and get exclusive opportunities to come to races."

Trevor Cook, a guide for companies that specialize in Formula One races, said that the Internet - which enables clients to book by themselves without an agency - has reduced business for the traditional travel agencies but increased the number of people attending races as tourism.

Last month, for example, Philip Robinson and Philip Locks, two fans from England who have been doing racing tourism for years, booked their whole trip on the Internet. They attended a MotoGP motorcycle race in Germany a week before the Formula One race at Hockenheim, the German Grand Prix. In between they fed other passions.

"I am interested in military history," Robinson said. "The first day after the MotoGP we went to Colditz Castle, near Leipzig, the famous officer prison camp during the Second World War. It's about 20 or 30 miles from where the motorcycle Grand Prix was held, and there is a museum there. And then we went down to Austria for a few days and then another battlefield - Blenheim battlefield, near Karlsruhe, on the way to Hockenheim."

As a reaction to the lost business from the Internet, Cook said, travel companies create trips that people cannot do by themselves. These include meeting drivers, visiting team factories, talking with Formula One journalists and photographers and other exclusive opportunities.

"It's a chance that the ordinary spectator cannot get, to meet a person from inside the paddock," he said.

Both of the companies that Cook works for, Page & Moy, of England, and Grand Prix Tours, based in Newport Beach, California, offer packages with options for an extra week for tourism.

For the Malaysian race, they add an optional week after the race to go to Thailand or Vietnam or other nearby countries. For the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, they fly clients to Beijing for four days, then take them to the Great Wall and to see the ancient terra-cotta warriors at Xian. That is followed by four days of sightseeing in Shanghai, crowned by three days at the race.

Such trips are not confined to Asia. Cook noted that fans from the United States often combine a week's vacation in Europe with a five-day race tour, because the airplane ticket is the biggest expense.

Cook has a wide-ranging clientele.

"We take 20-year-olds that are dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts, and we take 70-year-old pensioners that are still dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts," he said.

He also has a client who attends all 18 races of the season, Cook said.

"He's just a single guy, his only love is Formula One, he just keeps buying the tours," he said.

Source: The New York Times

Madrid 2016: "Sport is also tourism"

2009-06-23T18:45:00.007-04:00

Madrid offers its citizens, as to its visitors, an infinite number of opportunities and venues for practising sport and the enjoyment of sporting occasions. “In this way, whoever visits us can and must know about these opportunities”, said Miguel Ángel Villanueva, councillor for Economy and Employment, at the unveiling of three new publications from the Tourism Board aimed at the millions of visitors who come to Madrid each year.

Referring to the International Olympic Committee Evaluation Commission’s visit at the beginning of May to view the city’s infrastructure and sporting venues as part of the city’s bid to host the 2016 Olympics, Villanueva stressed how closely aligned Madrid is with sport.

Entitled Practice Sport in Madrid, Madrid for You: Sports, and Long Live Football in Madrid, the publications not only give details on the extent of sporting activities in Madrid but where they can be enjoyed. They also give information on sporting events and occasions in the city, inviting tourists to see for themselves more of the history and records of some of the most famous clubs in the world such as Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid.

Practice Sport in Madrid is positioned for those who love athletics and cycling, with six different itineraries (on three levels of ability) for getting to know the city, and was brought about with the support of the Madrid Athletics Federation and ten others with a view to trying out the city’s Green Cycle Ring.

The Puerta del Sol, whole of the Gran Via, Oriente Square, Literary Quarter, Atocha-Colón wing, Castellana boulevard, Austrias quarter, university campus and main parks of the city are some of the appealing tourist attractions which can be taken in on these self-guided tours.

Information on the city’s golf courses, park sports, municipal facilities and ‘Discover Madrid’ guided tours either on foot or by bicycle, is also included in these brochures.

Madrid for You: Sports, part of the Madrid for You series, includes a listing of the main sporting events which take place in the city, sport-related public holidays, and the museums of Madrid’s great teams and famous sportspeople.

Finally, Long Live Football in Madrid demonstrates the passion of Madrileños lived out through football, the country’s top sport – “as for the continent,” commented the councillor for Economy and Employment. “It is about seeing and understanding the massive impact which Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid have as the best ambassadors for our city. One visit to these stadia, to the areas around them and the places where fans celebrate victories, is a perfect complement to any visit to our city.”

Information on the offerings of Santiago Bernabéu and Vincente Calderón stadia for sport, shopping, children and refreshments is also included.

With these publications, the Tourist Board is also offering alternatives for those who undertake regular sporting activity and giving all visitors to join in with the Olympic spirit in the city.

Source: Madrid 2016 Olympic Bid

Tons of Opportunity: Adventure Travel

2009-06-22T03:03:00.005-04:00

Many types of businesses come and go in the blink of an eye. But the trillion-dollar travel industry continues to grow by leaps and bounds, creating a big demand for specialized services, such as Adventure Travel and Outdoor Excursions.

Adventure means different things to different people. For some it might be sailing or snorkeling in the crystal indigo waters off the coast of Cancun, Mexico; others might get a thrill from petting a shark or climbing 4,000 feet in the cockpit of a Soviet jet trainer. It certainly means a lot of fun for a lot of people.

Statistics provided by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) show that during the past five years, 98 million adults have taken an adventure trip--rock climbing, mountain hiking, whitewater rafting, spelunking, parasailing, skydiving and other activities. “Soft adventure” vacations are milder and may feature walking, bicycling, fishing, camping or horseback riding.

Many adventure and eco-tour operators have developed their niche because of a desire to share their passion and experience with others. Jennifer Sage, owner of Viva Travels, plans custom guided and self-guided bicycle tours in France and Italy. “I love to share my love of traveling by bicycle with others,” she says. “I firmly believe there is no better way to see a country!”

Source: Alibaba.com

24 Hours of Le Mans: Recession-proof race

2009-06-21T02:02:00.006-04:00

The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a more affordable, accessible event for fans

The economic downturn is impacting just about anything automotive -- except, it seems, the 77th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Perhaps the 250,000-plus spectators here were spending a weekend escaping the financial woes, but there was little sign the global recession has changed the world's longest motor race.

There was the usual carnival-like (or crazy) atmosphere that started building Friday afternoon and climaxed Sunday as delirious French fans celebrated Peugeot's first victory at Le Mans since back-to-back victories in 1992-'93. It was especially sweet as it snapped the five-year winning streak by rival Audi, which had finished first eight times in nine consecutive starts since 2000. This time, it had to settle for third behind a second Peugeot.

Europeans have a passion for this type of racing and they aren't shy about expressing it, especially when those feelings have been well lubricated by copious amounts of alcohol. During opening festivities on Saturday, for example, the national anthems of each country represented on the starting grid were played. With Scotland's Allan McNish on the front row in Audi No. 1, a huge contingent of Brits delivered a rousing rendition of God Save The Queen as it was piped out across the area. Not to be outdone, the French rose to their feet moments later and heartily sang their own anthem in a show of support for homeland favourite Stephane Sarrizin in the pole-winning No. 8 Peugeot. Interestingly, the U. S. anthem played earlier was barely noticed.

As further evidence of the depth of passion these racing fans hold, consider that an estimated 30,000 supporters made the trek from Denmark to root for Audi driver Tom Kristensen, considered by many as Mr. Le Mans after scoring seven victories here since 2000. Many of those Danes spent the weekend in tent cities -- row upon row of rented grey pup tents that stretched seemingly endlessly across fields. Not a shabby turnout for a country that has a total population of about 4.5 million.

In fact, unlike many urban-based events such the Montreal Grand Prix and Toronto Indycar race, for example, camping is the only option for most of these fans. Everywhere you go, thousands of tents, trailers and small motorhomes are jammed tent peg to tent peg. As the hours wear on and evening turns to night, the effects of a steady diet of booze become apparent. By 1 a. m., you didn't have to stroll far to encounter well-lubricated party animals: a guy dressed in a gorilla suit with the Union Jack draped around his hairy shoulders; the double-decker London bus timed in Gulf colours plus a few accessories not found on the team's race cars (a disco ball, strobe lights, the full party treatment); or the chaps who were spending the weekend in a swimming pool they'd erected at Porsche Corner. (Not surprising, there were far fewer folk wandering the footpaths at 7 a. m. on Sunday.)

This is the premier motorsport event in France, an event steeped in history with a race duration that compresses the full Formula One season into a 24-hour run around a 13.629-kilometre course that combines part of the permanent Circuit Bugatti race track with public roads that are closed for the event. The cars, too, are sophisticated, with the top-level prototypes little more than F1 cars with full bodies. It offers the professionalism, speed and excitement of a Grand Prix but in a more relaxed environment where drivers and teams are far more accessible and willing to interact with the fans. And, it's more affordable-- the three-day weekend, including parking and a campsite was about 100 Euros, far less than a comparable F1 admission pass.

The majority of attendees are out for a weekend of fun --in fact, the actual race is secondary for many -- and they fulfil that objective with vigour.

Source: National Post

Quebec government confirms talks to bring back Canadian Grand Prix in 2010

2009-06-19T01:30:00.005-04:00

QUEBEC — Negotiations are underway with Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone for a potential return of the popular Canadian Grand Prix to Montreal in 2010, Quebec Finance Minister Raymond Bachand confirmed Thursday.

Istanbul took Montreal's spot on the circuit this year but this month's race in Turkey was hamstrung by poor attendance. "It's common sense that Montreal should have a Formula One Grand Prix," Bachand said.

"You saw how many people were in Istanbul this month - 30,000 people.

"We get 300,000 for the entire weekend," Bachand said.

Bachand told reporters that the federal and provincial governments are ready to kick in $5 million in financing while the City of Montreal is offering up another $5 million from a hotel tax to get the race back to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

The finance minister says he's confident but added that F1 has its own financial problems that need to be resolved.

"Everything is not settled. We have discussions that are still going on with Mr. Ecclestone. Until things are signed, they are not finalized," Bachand said.

"I'm confident we'll have the F1 back in Montreal next year," Bachand said.

Former Montreal race promoter Normand Legault made similar remarks this week, hopeful that the race would be restored by 2011 at the latest.

The 2010 F1 schedule is to be unveiled before the end of the month.

Both the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal and French GP were dropped this season after organizers failed to meet Ecclestone's money demands.

Federal and provincial ministers as well as Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay attempted to convince Ecclestone to keep the race in Montreal, even travelling to England to meet with him.

But the Canadian event was dropped in favour of a new race in Abu Dhabi, despite Montreal being popular among drivers and teams.

The Turkish Grand Prix was handed Montreal's dates for the first weekend in June.

The controversial Ecclestone was asking for payments of nearly $175 million over five years - too rich for Montreal organizers who felt the demands were outrageous.

Bachand said the government has never stopped talking with Ecclestone, even after the Montreal race was pulled.

Bachand said organizers are not looking for a one-time deal. They want a long-term commitment and a minimum five-year deal.

The Canadian Grand Prix was one of the sport's best-attended events, drawing more than 300,000 spectators for three days of competition each year since 2001, with 120,000 at the track for the race on Sunday alone.

The event drew an estimated $100 million per year in revenues and economic spinoffs to the city.

The Canadian Grand Prix had been part of the F1 calendar since 1967. The only year since then that it wasn't held was 1987, due to a dispute between sponsors.

Source: The Canadian Press

Economics shouldn't drive 2016 Games choice

2009-06-18T00:27:00.005-04:00

LAUSANNE, June 16 - Economics or the prospect of increased revenues should not be the deciding factor in the International Olympic Committee's decision on which city hosts the 2016 summer Olympics, the IOC President said on Tuesday.

A day before candidates Madrid, Tokyo, Chicago and Rio de Janeiro pitch their bids to members for the penultimate time, IOC chief Jacques Rogge said care for athletes should be the top priority.

"I share the view...the economics should not drive our decision," Rogge told reporters. "In the past we did not necessarily go for the richest city and I believe we were right not to do that.
"First of all is the care for the athletes. The games are for the athlete... not for any other superior goal," Rogge said.

The four cities will present their concept to about 90 members on Wednesday in Lausanne before the IOC meets in Copenhagen in October to pick the host after another brief presentation by the candidates.

Rogge also ruled out selecting the winning bid based on geographical rotation or for other political reasons.

"I am not fond of geo-political considerations. It is not the economics but leaving a sustaining legacy," he said.

Rio has played up the fact that the Games have never gone to South America while Chicago supporters have said that in 2016 it would be 20 years since the United States last staged the Games.

Source: Reuters

SA set to ignite the world with Confederations Cup

2009-06-15T01:33:00.006-04:00

Moyle: “South African Tourism welcomes the champions. Let the games begin”!

Not even the dreary weather can put a damper on the celebratory mood currently gripping the country. For the next two weeks the eyes of the world will be on South Africa as it plays host to the ‘litmus test’ of the 2010 FIFA World Cup TM, the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup.

“South African Tourism welcomes players and fans to South Africa. We’re excited about the tournament, not only because it offers our industry a truly incredible opportunity to showcase our destination, but also, because it gives us a chance to show off our infrastructure and to have our visitors witness the effort that we have put into preparing for this world class event,” says South African Tourism COO and acting CEO, Didi Moyle.

Moyle says the championship will finally put an end to all speculation regarding South Africa’s capability and ability to host some of the greatest tournaments in sporting history. “We are beyond ready. People now need to come and celebrate with us, this magnificent feat of being able to host these sporting events,” she says.

The opening ceremony and kick off is today, Sunday 14 June, with the first match being played between hosts South Africa and Iraq at Ellis Park, Johannesburg.

“We wish Bafana Bafana all the best in their opening match. We expect to see a sterling performance and regardless of the outcome, we have every confidence in their ability to make the most of this opportunity. We believe that come 2010, they will be a force to reckon with,” says Moyle.

The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup takes place from June 14 to 28. Host cities are Bloemfontein, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg.

Source: Travelwires.com

VisitBritain banking on summer events

2009-06-13T20:40:00.006-04:00

VisitBritain has revealed that it is focusing on the programme of summer events taking place in the UK this year to attract more American tourists.

The tourism agency recently launched an initiative with Virgin Atlantic aimed to encouraged travel from the United States to Britain.

A dedicated website has been set up as part of the campaign, which will inform tourists of the experiences and value for money on offer in the UK this year.

VisitBritain spokesman Elliott Frisby said: 'What we are particularly focusing on this year is our events calendar, so the fantastic range of the summer sporting season that they can enjoy here and summer music festivals are part of the campaign.'

Music fans will be visiting England for the Glastonbury festival in June, followed by the Reading and Leeds festivals in August.

Sporting highlights will include the Ashes cricket series - which will feature matches played in Cardiff, London, Birmingham and other locations - and the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

Source: Opodo Travel News
Related links: VisitBritain

2010 Fifa World Cup: South Africa Gets Ready

2009-06-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

SA is hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, which is very helpful in times of the economic crisis. The country needs further preparations for the event not only to capitalize on it only once but also to encourage the visitors to come back again.

The Republic of South Africa expects a boost for its economy thanks to the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The country will benefit from the event especially now in time of the global economic crisis. The African tourism has already recorded a drop in foreign tourists’ arrivals but tourism experts expect the World Cup and other events to improve the situation.

The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism expects the World Cup to add some US$ 2.52 billion to SA gross domestic product – part of it in form of direct investments and the other part in tourist spending. Some experts expect the growth to be even more robust. Other events are also expected to lure tourists to SA and boost its economy; among them is e.g. the Indian Premier League cricket tournament or the British and Irish Lions rugby tour.

The 2010 Fifa World Cup is expected to bring some 3 million tourists to SA from Africa as well as from other continents. Almost all sectors of South African economy will be under big pressure to provide the best services. The goal of the event should not be only to generate one-off revenue; it should convince the visitors to come back next time. The World Cup is an ideal marketing opportunity for the country.

Retailers need to get ready for the influx of customers. This sector will benefit highly from the event as an international visitor of the World Cup is expected to spend some $166 a day. A domestic traveler will presumably spend $89 daily.

Source: Tourism Review

"NBA Finals are a gold mine for Orlando"

2009-06-08T23:59:00.012-04:00

The head of the Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau is predicting a big win for Orlando in the NBA Finals. But he's not talking scores. He's counting tourism dollars.

CVB President and CEO Gary Sain says the impact of the Magic being in the finals will be huge. He says the coverage of the city broadcast all over the world will show that there's more to the area than just the attractions.

"What's interesting about the Magic and what this will bring us is it's going to help to extend that brand, expand that brand to mean more than just maybe what we have been known for, and I think that's the exciting part," said Sain."I think this helps to reinforce that we're a major destination - not just for travel tourism - but a major destination for business and for living. That's a great message that I think the Magic can help us deliver that Orlando is a great place to live and work."

And he believes the international coverage of the Magic in the finals will make the city a top sports tourism spot long after the last buzzer sounds.

"Sports is going to continue to play a major role in the future of this destination, and it will drive overnight visitation," said Sain.

Sain looks at the Magic being in the finals as just the beginning. He says a renovated Citrus Bowl and the new events center will eventually draw tourists in just for big sporting events like Wrestlemania and possibly the Pro Bowl.

Source: WDBO Local News

The Business of Sports Tourism

2009-06-07T20:05:00.001-04:00

Sports tourism is a multi-billion dollar business, one of the fastest growing areas of the $4.5 trillion global travel and tourism industry. By 2011, travel and tourism is expected to by more than 10 percent of the global gross domestic product. The economies of cities, regions and even countries around the world are increasingly reliant on the visiting golfer and skier or the travelling football, rugby or cricket supporter. In some countries, sports can account for as much as 25 percent of all tourism receipts.

Sports tourism encompasses both fans travelling to watch sports and people pursuing their sport abroad. The sports tourist is at the heart of strategies that spend tens of millions of dollars on attracting an Olympic Games or World Cup. These flagship events help build new transport systems, improve airports and clean up cities – all because the sports tourist is coming to town.

Sports tourists are passionate, high-spending, enjoy new sporting experiences and often stimulate other tourism. Their direct benefit to a destination is cash - their indirect benefit can be years of follow-on tourists. Sports tourism is now a tool to make achieve many things - to make-money, create thousands of new jobs and even help change cultural perceptions such as in the Middle East and South Africa.

Source: SportBusiness Group

Welcome to SportsTourism.Biz

2009-06-07T19:55:00.001-04:00

Welcome to SportsTourism.Biz. On this page, you will find news, articles, reports and relevant information about the Sports Tourism industry. Stay tuned! Make sure to also follow our social media communities on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.