Offaly can grab greater share of lucrative sports tourism market – say organisers European Sport Tourism Summit
Offaly can advance its already strong sport tourism product and grab a greater slice of the €450bn global industry in the sector, the organisers of a major think-tank of international experts in the field in May have stated.
The inaugural European Sport Tourism Summit, which will take place at Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick on Thursday May 15th, will hear from global experts on how Ireland can attract major international tournaments, such as the rugby world cup, but also how regions and counties, like Offaly and other midland counties, can develop their own niche product, working off the excellent natural infrastructure that the country provides.
Organised by W2 Consulting, the event will be attended by over 400 delegates drawn from local authorities, sports bodies, federations, clubs, charity organisations and communities here and abroad eager to attract global sports events and tournaments or develop their own major sports tourism product around mass participation events.
Announcing the Summit, W2 Consulting Director Mark O’Connell said that the Sport Tourism industry is on a steep upward curve globally and represents a huge opportunity for every county, including Offaly. “Sports Tourism is huge business and it’s getting bigger and bigger. Research has shown that sports tourist spend double the amount that traditional tourists do and this is a huge opportunity for Government at national and local level, as well as sports organisations, to capitalize on.
“Offaly already has a really strong sport tourism offering thanks to activities and events like the Croughan Hill Challenge, the Daingean Duathlon and The Sean Kelly Tour of the Midlands. When you have got natural infrastructure like the river Shannon and the Slieve Blooms on your doorstep, you have huge opportunities for the likes of cycling, fishing, triathlon and hillwalking events.
“Sports Tourism is not just about hosting major global events. There’s huge potential from events grown organically and locally but ones that still bring in big numbers and investment to a city or town. Offaly certainly has a huge opportunity to grab more of that action,” he said.
Delegates will hear from leading global experts in the sector about how Ireland can attract major global sports events and how local organisations can develop their own successful sports tourism product capable of attracting millions in revenue to a region or local community. The conference, which will be staged annually in Limerick, will be the biggest of its kind in Europe and already being dubbed the ‘Davos’ of the sports industry.
“Every region and county in the country, with the right know-how, is capable of hosting events,” O’Connell added. What we need to do is develop a clear strategy for this and the European Sports Summit will set the ball rolling in that regard.”
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; Neil Carney, Director of Venue Management, Baku European Games 2015; Julian Jenkins, Commercial Director of Cardiff City FC and Rick Traer, CEO, Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, one of the world’s most successful sports tourism organisation.
Delegates will also hear from Sarah Harvey, MD of Tough Mudder Europe, the largest Adventure race brand in the world and Patrick Torrent, who has been instrumental in developing Barcelona and the wider Catalonia region into one of the world’s leading Sport Tourism destinations. Former England and Lions star Lawrence Dallaligo, who has led some of the UK’s highest profile charity fundraisers, is also among the list of high-profile speakers.
Full details, including registration, can be had on www. sporttourismsummit.ie
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
