Sport venues, stadiums and facilities news

Sport + Travel interview: Marco Koch – Olympic elite swimmer

30Sep

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sport + Travel interview: Marco Koch – Olympic elite swimmer

It is not often you have the chance to pose questions to a European and World Champion swimmer, who is the former world record holder in the 200 meter breaststroke (short course). So here at Sports Tourism Media we are both excited and delighted to introduce Marco Koch, a German competitive swimmer, specialising in breaststroke events who has competed at the 2012 & 2016 Summer Olympics and took gold at the 2015 World Aquatics Championships in Kazan, Russia. Marco says "I'm in my comfort zone in the water as swimming is my passion. I enjoy every second. The water unfolds my full potential. It carries and leads me. Water gives me a great feeling." (marco-koch.org, 20 Jan 2018). We are grateful Marco has taken time out of a gruelling training regime to answer our questions… Newsletter:...

‘Escapade Living’ brings motorsport to your living room window

1Sep

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences, Venues & Stadiums

‘Escapade Living’ brings motorsport to your living room window

It is somewhat of an understatement to say that 2020 has been and continues to be a year of seismic changes. The pandemic changed the world as we know it and whilst much pain – mental, physical and economic – continues to affect our lives, it has catalysed the need to for adaptability, innovation and resilience, especially within all areas of the travel sector. Clearly the travel industry that emerges at the end of this year will be very different from the one that entered it. But one thing the pandemic has turbocharged is the growing trend for ‘experiential travel’. Experiential travel – in which the traveller immerses themselves in a destination rather than superficially seeing it – is now coming of age in double time. The sports travel sector is of course at the very forefront...

Review: Fifa World Football Museum in Zurich

23May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Destination Guides, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Review: Fifa World Football Museum in Zurich

Switzerland is home to the headquarters for two of the biggest sporting organisations in the world – the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa). Both support their own museums, which provide Lausanne and Zurich with two of the most incredible sports attractions anywhere in the world. Sports Tourism Media's co-editor Ramy James Salameh visited the Fifa World Football Museum in Zurich and picks out the best things to see. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Up for the cup Without doubt a spine-tingling moment is getting up close and personal with the Fifa World Cup trophy, which is a global “celebrity” in its own right. Introduced in 1974, the Fifa World Cup trophy is made of 1...

CopenHill: Copenhagen’s mountain sports destination takes urban sustainability to new heights

11May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

CopenHill: Copenhagen’s mountain sports destination takes urban sustainability to new heights

By Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh Copenhagen aims to become carbon-neutral by 2025 - an impressive and challenging goal for any destination. However, when one hears about some of the latest innovations taking place in the city, you come to understand how likely it is for that goal to be met. The Danish capital is fuelling its reputation as one of the greenest cities on the planet through a growing portfolio of green initiatives and projects changing the urban landscape for the better. One example is CopenHill – an urban ski slope and epicentre for urban mountain sports which opened in October 2019. It's located on Copenhagen’s peninsula of Refshaleøen, an old industrial area transformed into one of the city’s newest neighbourhoods with a trendy vibe.&nb...

The Sports Tourism Blog: a tour of The Olympic Museum in Lausanne

11May

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Europe, Trips & Experiences, Venues & Stadiums

The Sports Tourism Blog: a tour of The Olympic Museum in Lausanne

Lausanne is truly an Olympic city. Not only is it home to Olympic House, the International Olympic Committee's HQ which opened in June 2019, but also The Olympic Museum. Referred to as TOM for short - there's no doubt that this is one of the best sports museums anywhere in the world. The permanent and temporary exhibitions provide a lasting sporting narrative and legacy for all citizens and creeds. It also provides for a unique events venue that has mass appeal across many industry sectors. Sports Tourism News co-editor Ramy Salameh paid a visit to The Olympic Museum in Lausanne and here he picks out some of the best things to see. An Olympic journey Even before you step through the entrance of the museum, your personal Olympic journey starts within the “Olympic Park” that sits eith...

Etihad Arena: naming rights deal signed for new venue at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

15Mar

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Etihad Arena: naming rights deal signed for new venue at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways has secured the exclusive naming rights for a new 18,000-capacity venue at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. Called the Etihad Arena, the multi-purpose indoor entertainment facility is being developed by Abu Dhabi-based Miral and according to reports will open this year. Operated by Flash Entertainment, the Etihad Arena has been designed to accommodate large-scale and private events, offering a capacity ranging from 200 to 18,000 people. Once open, the venue will host a variety of events including sporting competitions, corporate events, cultural performances and concerts. The Etihad Arena will be a major addition to Yas Bay Waterfront, which will also include the Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, a beach club as well as a pier that boasts 12 licensed cafes and restaurants, and 19...

New Porsche Experience Centre to open in 2021 in Franciacorta, Italy

9Feb

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Venues & Stadiums

New Porsche Experience Centre to open in 2021 in Franciacorta, Italy

German sports car manufacturer Porsche has announced that a new Porsche Experience Centre (PEC) will be built in Franciacorta, Italy. After openings in Leipzig, Silverstone, Atlanta, Le Mans, Los Angeles, Shanghai and the Hockenheimring, the PEC Franciacorta will be the company’s eighth in total. Covering an area of around 60 hectares, the modern facility is being constructed at the Autodromo di Franciacorta racetrack in the centre of northern Italy. Porsche Italia is investing more than €26m (£22m) in the destination and it’s expected that it will be ready after a massive refurbishment at the beginning of 2021. State-of-the-art and spacious, the PEC will feature a multi-purpose 2,400sqft area crossed by an impressive suspension bridge. A restaurant and the terrace overlooking the ...

Man Utd and Marriott Hotels unveil the ‘Seat of Dreams’ at the Theatre of Dreams

17Oct

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Football, Hotels & Resorts, Venues & Stadiums

Man Utd and Marriott Hotels unveil the ‘Seat of Dreams’ at the Theatre of Dreams

Manchester United and Marriott Hotels have unveiled the “Seat of Dreams” - a new concept that will be launched at the club’s Old Trafford stadium. United’s Premier League clash against rivals Liverpool on Sunday 20 October will see the Seat of Dreams used for the first time. This unique matchday experience allows supporters to watch the action from a coveted vantage point in the ground while also enjoying special perks such as complimentary food and drinks, early entry to the stadium, and the opportunity to meet Man Utd legends. The new addition at the Theatre of Dreams will be awarded to four fans at random through a complimentary upgrade to their existing match ticket. Official hotel partner The debut of the Seat of Dreams concept also marks the kick-off of a larger relationship be...