The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers during 2020’s Super Bowl. Nearly 100 million people watched the game from home, which also included the half-time show and several funny, unforgettable commercials. It’s no secret that professional sports is a big business. Whether it’s football or baseball, a stadium event can bring people together who share a common interest. People are traveling more than ever, making sports tourism more popular worldwide with massive spending being contributed to different cities and towns. There are different aspects of sports tourism involving several businesses and specific people, such as athletes, officials and sport fans.
Hard and Soft Sports Tourism
There are two types of sports tourism. Hard sports tourism is based on the number of participants at a major competitive event. Like the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics are large, dynamic social events that require serious, planned preparation. Based on a host city, these tournaments attract millions of people from different communities. Soft tourism is based on recreation. A ski resort by the mountainside is likely to gain revenue during winter. Hiking at a national park or kayaking in a stream are other examples of soft tourism. Corporate businesses make profit from famous sporting events due to advertising, whereas equipment stores benefit most from casual, quiet travel.
How Travel Packages Work
Travel agencies provide maple leaf travel packages to tourists who want to see their favorite team up close. They are custom made for people who don’t live in their favorite team’s hometown and provide several amenities, such as flights, game tickets and hotel service. There are packages for events at other destinations as well, which can provide the customer an opportunity to explore a different city’s culture and enjoy good nightlife. Sport travel packages are ideal for customers wanting a fun social experience.
Economic Impact on Community
Hotels, restaurants, clothing stores and gift shops have benefited from sports tourism, affecting major cities and smaller communities. A theme park in Tennessee earned brought $45.7 million to a county populated by less than a million people. Tourists are willing to spend money on different services to make their experience memorable and enjoyable. Entertainers and servers for parties reserved for athletes and officials also benefit. Sporting events bring different industries together to meet similar customer demand, gaining revenue in the process which businesses can build upon for the future.
Sports tourism is a growing sector in the hospitality industry. The global economy has increased media exposure to games and other events, attracting immense crowds. People also travel to enjoy activities they may not be able to do in their hometown. Travel packages benefit customers similarly to how corporations benefit from increased customer spending.