Sports Travel

12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Industry Events & Conferences, Sports Travel, The Americas

Inaugural Caribbean Tourism Organization Sports Tourism Summit in 2027 to be hosted in Anguilla

Anguilla will host the inaugural Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Sports Tourism Summit. Scheduled to take place from 12-14 August 2027, the summit will create a new regional platform focused on harnessing the growing intersection of sports, tourism and economic development.  The announcement was made during CTO’s State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) in Georgetown, Guyana, where Caribbean tourism leaders met under the theme “Tourism Futures: Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive”.  The Anguilla summit will bring together tourism and sports officials, event organisers, athletes, sports organisations, destination marketers, private-sector partners and other stakeholders to examine how Caribbean destinations can use sports to attract visitors, stimulate economic ...

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7Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Africa, Football, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

How World Cup qualification has put Cape Verde and its islands in the spotlight

Cape Verde's growing visibility on the international football stage, including recent success and qualification for the FIFA World Cup, is driving fresh interest in the Atlantic nation as a year-round holiday choice, according to UK specialist operator Cape Verde Experience. With increased global attention on the islands the operator says more travellers are looking beyond Cape Verde's well-known beach offering and discover its wider appeal, including volcanic landscapes, Creole culture, live music, hiking and island-hopping experiences. Cape Verde Experience product manager Suzanne Brown said the destination's profile is shifting among UK holidaymakers. “Cape Verde has always had a unique identity, shaped by African, Brazilian and Portuguese influences, alongside warm hospitality...

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6Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Sports resort in focus: Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa

As one of Europe's most established sports resorts, Grand Hyatt La Manga Club Golf & Spa offers far more than a traditional golf getaway. Set within the expansive La Manga Club resort in Murcia, southeast Spain, the property combines luxury accommodation, wellness facilities and an impressive range of sports infrastructure, making it a standout destination for active travellers, training camps and sports-focused family holidays. The hotel made headlines as the first Grand Hyatt property in Spain when it opened following an extensive refurbishment. Today, it serves as the centrepiece of a resort that attracts golfers, tennis players, football teams, cricketers and wellness travellers from across Europe. Rooms and suites The hotel features 192 guest rooms, including seven si...

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5Jun By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel, Trends

‘Sportification’ of travel: how sports events have reshaped luxury tourism

A blockbuster calendar of global sporting events is set to fuel unprecedented travel demand in 2026 and beyond. From the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl in February to the FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Formula 1’s highly anticipated debut in Madrid, major sporting spectacles will draw fans across continents.  As sport and luxury travel become increasingly intertwined, travellers are looking beyond the action on the field, court and track, seeking exclusive access, premium hospitality and once-in-a-lifetime experiences that transform major events into unforgettable journeys. According to luxury travel network Virtuoso, nearly one in seven travellers now cite sporting events as a key motivator for their travels, with a growing ap...

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22Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Strangest sporting events: the weird and wonderful world of sport

When we think of sport, traditional activities like football, basketball, and tennis often come to mind. However, the world is full of unique, bizarre, and downright strange sporting events that challenge our perception of competition and athleticism.  These weird and wonderful sports highlight the diverse and imaginative ways to find entertainment – whether it’s racing down a hill after cheese, balancing on unicycles while playing polo, or enduring ferrets in your trousers. Here we take a look at some of the weirdest sports and the strangest sporting events that take place around the world. Main image: Dave Farrance, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons World Gravy Wrestling Championships (England) Location: Rose & Bowl Pub, Stacksteads, Lancashire, England The Wor...

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20Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Europe, Football, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Como 1907: luxury football travel on Italy’s Lake Como

In May, Italian football club Como 1907 officially unveiled SENT Tourism, its in‑house luxury tour operator designed to bring football fans closer to the emotional, cultural, and aesthetic world of Lake Como. The initiative seeks to extend the club’s identity beyond Serie  A by crafting immersive travel experiences that merge matchday excitement with Italian elegance. Rooted in the club’s transformation under Djarum Group/Sent Entertainment Ltd and president Mirwan Suwarso, SENT Tourism represents the next chapter of Como’s ambition to become a premier football tourism destination, leveraging its stunning lakeside stadium and localised brand ecosystem. New stadium plans unveiled  SENT Tourism is not the only big announcement made in recent months by Como 1907 – the redevelopment o...

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15Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Bucket List, Editor's Pick, Sports Travel

‘25 by 75’: is this the ultimate travel bucket list for sport and culture?

Few people turn a casual chat into a life-enriching, global odyssey – but that’s exactly what David M. Carter and his longtime friend George Ross have done with their “25 by 75” sport and culture bucket list.  Carter, a renowned sports business consultant and university professor, has built a career around the intersection of sport, strategy, and storytelling. Now, he’s channeling that same insight into a personal mission with his friend: to attend 25 of the world’s most iconic sporting and cultural events – each in a different country and representing a different sport – before turning 75.  With 13 of the 25 already ticked off the list, Sports Tourism News spoke with Carter about the unique challenge, his favourite events so far, and what’s next on the schedule… Top ima...

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27Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Europe, Golf, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Golf in Ireland: major winners and world-class courses

After a dramatic final play-off, Rory McIlroy became the first golfer from the island of Ireland to win The Masters – and only the sixth ever in the history of the game to win the Grand Slam of all four men’s majors (The Masters, US PGA Championship, US Open and The Open Championship). For a small island on the edge of Europe, Ireland is a powerhouse when it comes to golf, with McIlroy, Padraig Harrington, Graeme McDowell, Darren Clarke and Shane Lowry all recent major winners.  With world-class courses in some of the most spectacular locations on the planet, it’s not surprising that Northern Ireland is where McIlroy first honed his skills. McIlroy first joined Holywood Golf Club at the age of seven, becoming the club’s youngest ever member. Set high in the Holywood Hills of County...

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13Apr By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Expedia Group study: women’s sport the ‘real growth story’ of sports tourism

New research released by Expedia Group has revealed how sports tourism is transforming how people are travelling and the sector is creating massive opportunities for the travel industry. In a blog post titled "how to win big with sports tourism", Expedia Group’s chief commercial officer Greg Schulze said that sports tourism presents “significant economic opportunity” for travel providers and is creating “high-demand periods” for transportation and lodging companies and “boosts host cities' economies”.  According to UN Tourism, sports travel now accounts for 10% of global tourism spending, while Skift reported that the sports tourism sector is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032.  Expedia Group’s data suggests sports trips are about "more than just the event" – they're a chan...

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8Dec By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

UN Tourism: sports tourism can create a ‘lasting legacy’ for destinations

Sports tourism can “play a key role in helping tourism destinations and businesses diversify”, UN Tourism said after the 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) in Madrid from 28-29 November 2024. To achieve this, “public and private cooperation will be essential for the future of this growing sector”.  The 3rd WSTC gathered worldwide experts and leaders of sports and tourism at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid. Co-organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, with support of Visit Nayarit and Turkish Airlines, the Congress highlighted the transformative potential of sports tourism as a driver of economic growth, social development, and sustainability.  UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “This Congress, as well as the whole...

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2Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Editor's Pick, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Global sports tourism market to hit $2.4 trillion by 2030 – report

The global market for sports tourism was estimated at $1.1 trillion in 2023 and is projected to reach $2.4 trillion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8% from 2023 to 2030, according to the Sports Tourism - Global Strategic Business Report published by ResearchAndMarkets.com. The growth in the sports tourism market is driven by several factors, including the rising popularity of international sports events and competitions, technological advancements in travel planning, booking platforms, and customer experience, and the increasing focus on promoting adventure sports, ecotourism, and experiential travel. The need to provide unique, engaging, and culturally enriching sports tourism experiences for diverse traveller demographics is driving the demand for sports...

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24Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

PoB Hotels launches ‘Get Set, and Go’ tailored sports breaks

Amid an exciting summer of sport, PoB Hotels is encouraging guests to plan their own athletic staycation, pursuing their favourite British sport, or trying their hand at something new.  PoB Hotels’s ‘Get Set, and Go’ features a variety of PoB Breaks predominantly centred around Britain’s five most-loved sports, inspiring guests to embrace their inner sportsman or woman in idyllic locations across the country, staying at some of the finest independent hotels. To celebrate the launch of these itineraries, double Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton has designed her own journey, taking in her favourite sports, and allowing guests to follow in an Olympian’s footsteps this summer.  The first Break to launch is her own itinerary: "An Inspiring Sporting Odyssey: Victoria Pendle...

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21Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

‘NFL Experience London’ fan event to be held at Battersea Power Station

American football returns to London in October with three regular-season NFL fixtures being held in the English capital. And to mark the 2023 NFL London Games, a one-day fan event will take place at Battersea Power Station on Saturday 7 October, from 10am to 6pm.  The free-to-attend “NFL Experience London” event will feature a Quarterback Challenge, Broad Jump and Vertical Jump, Wide Receiver, and Field Goal Kick activities. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New York Jets and Minnesota Vikings will also have fan activations and photo opportunities at the venue. Merchandise and vintage memorabilia from all 32 NFL teams will be available to buy, plus a New Era cap personalisation station and vending machine, with a Fanatics container shop that will dispense NFL products. Giant N...

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27Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel

Solheim Cup 2023 host venue: Finca Cortesín, Andalusia, Spain

It’s not just the men’s Ryder Cup that golf fans will be looking forward to this autumn – the 18th Solheim Cup will also see the best women golfers from Europe and the United States go head to head.  Held every two years, the Solheim Cup will take place this year from 22-24 September 2023 at Finca Cortesin Hotel, Golf & Spa in Casares, Andalucía. It's the first time that Spain has hosted the prestigious women’s team golf event. “Finca Cortesin is a world-class venue and deserving host of the 2023 Solheim Cup as it takes place in Spain for the first time in the tournament’s history,” said Alexandra Armas, CEO of the Ladies European Tour. “The Costa del Sol is truly one of golf’s most exciting destinations and I am sure that the pristine and challenging course design at Finca will...

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27Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel

Ryder Cup 2023 host venue: Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, Italy

Renowned for its rich history, vibrant culture and delicious cuisine, Italy’s climate and stunning landscapes also makes it the perfect country to play golf in.  Italy is home to more than 250 golf courses, including the Marco Simone Golf and Country Club near Rome, host venue of the 44th Ryder Cup. All eyes will be on the world-class Italian venue as Team Europe and Team US go head-to-head in the popular men’s golf event from Friday 29 September to Sunday 1 October 2023 – just a week after the women's Solheim Cup in Spain.  In 2021 at Whistling Straits, the US convincingly regained the Ryder Cup with a record 19-9 victory. The likes of Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm will be looking to lead Team Europe to victory as they aim to win back the famous gold trophy.  The perfect se...

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2Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Event in focus: Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival 2023

The Isle of Wight Autumn Walking Festival returns from 7-15 October 2023, featuring some old favourites and new unique routes. This popular event makes the most of the Unesco Biosphere Reserve that encompasses the entire island.  The majority of walks are led by local volunteers, keen to share their knowledge of a subject, or to just “show-off” their favourite walk on the Isle of Wight – and with limited spaces, booking is recommended. The festival’s website is now updated with the latest walks and booking information.  Images: visitisleofwight.co.uk Charitable and historic walks New for the 2023 autumn edition is a fundraiser for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance (HIOWAA). The 5k “Dash in the Dark” aims to bring together attendees and supporters of the HIOWAA to ra...

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31Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

F1 Las Vegas GP: book a ‘$1m all-access experience’ with Wynn Las Vegas

Formula 1 returns to Las Vegas in November for its much-anticipated Saturday night street race. And in what could be the ultimate F1 bucket list item, six fans could be set to have the best race weekend ever – providing they can rustle up a cool $1m between them. From 16-18 November 2023, the luxury Wynn Las Vegas hotel is offering a “million dollar all-access experience” which includes a number of exclusive activations for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.  Described by the hotel as a “no-holds-barred race experience like none other”, each $1m package provides admission for a group of six people to the following: six Wynn Grid Club passes: access to the private, members-only Wynn Grid Club, an ultra-exclusive area within the F1 Paddock Club. Entry to this private club is reserved for VIP...

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30Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Events, Sports Travel

Rugby World Cup: Place de la Concorde will host the Paris Rugby Village

Parisian landmark Place de la Concorde will host a village dedicated to rugby throughout the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which takes place in France from 8 September to 28 October. Pierre Rabadan, deputy mayor of Paris in charge of sport, the Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Seine, unveiled the "Paris Rugby Village" programme and the city’s accessibility and eco-responsibility commitments. The Paris Rugby Village will include a rugby entertainment and promotional area, plus two giant screens to broadcast RWC matches. And the number of screens will increase to four for the opening match on 8 September between France and New Zealand. Visitors can enjoy entertainment and discovery areas, photo booths, the official France 2023 shop, exhibitions, and a central stage that will host the open...

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27Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Ski Club of Great Britain launches Freshtracks holidays for winter 2023-2024

The Ski Club of Great Britain has launched its Freshtracks holiday programme for winter 2023-2024 with a number of new destinations, courses and chalets across the Alps, North America and Japan. Designed to make the most out of the time on the mountain, Freshtracks holidays are tailored to ski ability levels that are then categorised as on or off-piste, as well as four further categories including All Mountain, Ski Touring, Weekend and Bucket List. Holidays are suitable for all levels of skier and snowboarder, from a minimum of an early intermediate (confident on blue runs and easy reds), right up to experts that can handle all conditions both on and off-piste. Key to the success and popularity of Freshtracks holidays is being able to ski with like-minded people, with guides and inst...

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27Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Travel, Trips & Experiences

Links, lochs and isles: Hebridean Princess to host UK ‘golf cruise’ in 2024

For one week only in September next year, the Hebridean Princess cruise ship will treat golfers to an awe-inspiring Gaelic links, lochs and isles “golf cruise” in Scotland and Northern Ireland.  The Hebridean Island Cruises' luxury liner, which is part of the PoB Hotels collection, accommodates just 48 guests. Taking place from 10-17 September 2024, the golf cruise will start and end in the town of Oban, which is known as the “gateway to the Isles”. Guests will enjoy seven nights on board the Hebridean Princess and the trip includes two gala dinners.  Available for golfers of all abilities, many of the courses are set in spectacular rolling sand dunes with stunning coastal views. “The added benefit is that nobody needs to be an expert to enjoy this wonderful cruise,” Hebridean Island...

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