Destination Cities and regions will learn how to increase their share of the growing €450bn global Sport Tourism industry in a major think-tank with international experts in Ireland on May 15.
The European Sport Tourism Summit 2014, which will take place at Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick – the home of Munster Rugby – on Thursday May 15, is organised by Sport Tourism Ireland/W2 Consulting and will be attended by National & International delegates from sport and tourism bodies, practitioners, federations, clubs and organisations, local authorities and academia eager to attract global sport tourism events and tournaments or develop an exisiting sport tourism product around mass participation events.
Announcing the first European Sport Tourism Summit, Director of Sport Tourism Ireland/W2 Consulting, former Irish and Lions star Keith Wood said that the Sport Tourism industry is on a steep upward curve globally and represents a huge opportunity for countries and regions at many levels. “Sport Tourism is huge business and it’s getting bigger and bigger. Research has shown that sport tourists spend double the amount that traditional tourists do and this is a huge opportunity for Governments at national and local level, as well as sport organisations, to capitalise on.”
Among the list of high profile International experts giving their insights at the event will be Martin Snedden, CEO of New Zealand 2011 Rugby World Cup, who will look specifically at what countries need to do to secure and benefit from hosting the Rugby World Cup. Other speakers include Julian Jenkins, Commercial Director of Cardiff City FC; Tim Crow, CEO, Synergy Sport Sponsorship, Jordi Secall, Marketing Director of the Catalan Tourist Board and Rick Traer, CEO of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, one of the world’s most successful sport tourism organisations.
Delegates will also hear from Sarah Harvey, Tough Mudder Europe, the largest adventure race brand in the world. Former England and Lions star Lawrence Dallaglio, who has led some of the UK’s highest profile sport charity fundraisers, is also among the list of high-profile speakers.
Located just 20 minutes from Limerick City and with flights to over 31 European and UK destinations, Shannon International Airport is the official 2014 Summit Partner. Airport Chairman, Rose Hynes said that developing a major Sport Tourism strategy must be a priority for countries and regions going forward, such is the potential from the industry: “As an airport we see first-hand the value of sport tourism. Huge numbers of golfers, for instance, come through Shannon each year to play in links and other courses across the country. Latest statistics show that 150,000 plus golfers come to Ireland each year, generating up to €200m for the economy. That’s just one example of sport tourism.”
Full details, including full list of speakers and registration, can be found at sporttourismsummit.ie
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Facts of Sport Tourism
- 35% of domestic tourism in Ireland is attributable to sport
- Over 30 different sports are participated in Ireland each year
- The Emerald Isle Classic American football match at the Aviva Stadium in 2012 was worth an estimated €100m alone to the economy
- In the UK, the average football fan visiting for matches spends £785 during his/her short trip
- Around 1.3 million tourists went to a live sports event in the UK in 2011, spending a total of £1,1 billion
- Almost 40,000 jobs supported by sport in Ireland