Sport travel guides and sports events news

Sport + Travel interview: Amir Alagic, Sri Lanka football team head coach

1Jun

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Sports Travel

Sport + Travel interview: Amir Alagic, Sri Lanka football team head coach

Amir Alagic, head coach of the Sri Lanka men’s national football team, speaks to Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh about his sports travel life as a coach, fan and holidaymaker. Alagic, a Uefa Pro Licence coach and a former Yugoslavia international player, has managed teams in many countries including Bosnia, Germany, Australia, USA, Brunei, Oman and Kuwait. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why? It was a grand slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia. It had a great atmosphere, with plenty of fans attending from around the world and the biggest stars in the game were playing. The Rod Laver Arena is a spectacular stadium and offers much more than being just an arena for spectat...

Review: Fifa World Football Museum in Zurich

23May

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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...

Sport + Travel interview: Samuel Inkoom, Ghana international football player

23May

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Sports Travel

Sport + Travel interview: Samuel Inkoom, Ghana international football player

Samuel Inkoom, a Ghanaian international football player, speaks to Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh about his sports travel life as a professional footballer, fan and holidaymaker. Inkoom, 30, has won 46 international caps for Ghana and was a member of the Black Stars’s squad which reached the quarter-finals of the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. He was in Ghana's squad for the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil and also appeared in the Uefa Champions League for Swiss side FC Basel. Former clubs include DC United in the US, Boavista in Portugal and Antalyaspor in Turkey. He currently plays for Georgian club Samtredia. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What was your most memorable sporting holiday? When I was playing in Swi...

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

11May

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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...

Vendée Globe 2020: an epic sailing race with a wave of tourism opportunities

11May

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Destination Guides, Europe, Events, Other sports, Outdoor & Adventure

Vendée Globe 2020: an epic sailing race with a wave of tourism opportunities

By Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh At 12.02pm GMT on 8 November 2020, 34 competitors of the Vendée Globe race will sail non-stop, unassisted, around the world via three capes and three oceans in an effort to complete one of the most demanding and prestigious events within the sailing and sporting calendar. The procession of race boats will pass thousands of fans lining the legendary “Vendée Globe” channel in Les Sables-d’Olonne, western France, initiating the start of a gruelling race that will test the physical and mental endurance of those courageous and talented enough to take part. It is so demanding that over the last 30 years and eight editions of the race, 167 sailors have set off but only 89 have crossed the finish line. To further put this into perspective, ...

Licence to thrill-seek in Austria: extreme sports tourism at AREA 47

11May

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Destination Guides, Europe, Outdoor & Adventure, Trips & Experiences

Licence to thrill-seek in Austria: extreme sports tourism at AREA 47

By Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh A study has calculated how far James Bond 007 has travelled to save the world - an enormous 276,745.2 miles across 24 movies, with Austria having been the location on three separate films. It is a country known for its epic Alpine surroundings and tailor-made for adventure sport junkies. In 2015, the world’s most famous film franchise used the Gaislachkogl Mountain to shoot key action scenes of Spectre. This Bond movie granted the town of Soelden, located in the Alpine valley of Oetztal-Tirol, a unique and lasting legacy. Key action scenes from the film have now been honoured through the creation of 007 Elements a stunning cinematic installation at more than 3,000m which opened in 2018. Inside, a series of bunker-like concre...

The Sports Tourism Blog: how esports blur the lines between reality and virtual reality

11May

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Sports Business

The Sports Tourism Blog: how esports blur the lines between reality and virtual reality

By Ramy Salameh Imagine having the chance to compete against a true sporting great. It’s unthinkable for the vast majority of people, but based on the current esports revolution this may well be a plausible concept in the cyber world of the future. Since my last article - Could esports be the ‘virtual’ savior of global sporting events? - many more international sports stars, clubs and events have announced and seen the potential of running an esport tournament. It provides global sports fans entertainment, links into growing esports audiences since the coronavirus pandemic halted conventional sports and most importantly, provides the sports industry a means to charitably support efforts to tackle Covid-19. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism News & Events Major ...

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...

The Sports Tourism Blog: places and events on my sport bucket list

11May

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Sports Travel

The Sports Tourism Blog: places and events on my sport bucket list

By Sports Tourism News co-editor Mike Starling The coronavirus has seen any plans for 2020 put on hold, but sports travellers will still be dreaming of visiting a new destination or event. Sports Tourism News co-editor Mike Starling picks out some of the the sporting events and destinations he would like to visit. Sport travel bucket list Watch Messi play for Barca at the Camp NouWith hundreds of goals and a cabinet full of personal and team trophies, Lionel Messi is regarded as one of the best ever footballers. Turning 33-years-old in June, the brilliant Barcelona forward won’t be playing football forever, so watching him in action at the iconic Camp Nou is definitely on my sporting bucket list for the new year. See the Olympic sights in TokyoI haven’t made plans to attend the Olympics...

The Sports Tourism Blog: stay home, stay safe and dream of epic trips in 2021

11May

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Sports Travel

The Sports Tourism Blog: stay home, stay safe and dream of epic trips in 2021

The Sports Travel Blog by co-editor Mike Starling Sport, like so many other global industries, is currently at a standstill due to the rapid spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. Football’s Euro 2020 championships and the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics have been postponed for a year. The Masters golf major is cancelled and Wimbledon has also fallen victim to the pandemic. Of course, in the grand scheme of things, the sports industry is way down the pecking order at this challenging time. The health and wellbeing of the world’s citizens - you, your friends and your families - is what governments and organisations are rightly focussing on. Yes we miss sport, yes we miss travel and yes we miss the live action. However, the need to stay home and stay safe is what has to happen right now. ...

The Sports Tourism Blog: can esports be the ‘virtual’ saviour for major sport?

11May

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Events, Sports Business

The Sports Tourism Blog: can esports be the ‘virtual’ saviour for major sport?

The Sports Events Blog by co-editor Ramy Salameh The Covid-19 pandemic will reignite the many questions around the “risk vs. return-on-investment” when hosting major sporting events and whether destinations will be reticent to bid in the future. Tokyo’s Olympics and Paralympics have now announced a postponement until July 2021 and the economic implications for Japan are yet to be fully realised based on this deferment. However, could the esports industry provide some form of safety net and a major new opportunity to help balance the books of major sporting festivals of the future? The discussion has been on the table for a few years now. So much so, that esports may well be on track to be included as a demonstration event, to run prior to and in conjunction with the 2024 Olympic Ga...

The Sports Tourism Blog: ‘Dear NFL, please bring the Atlanta Falcons to London in 2021’

11May

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Events, Sports Business

The Sports Tourism Blog: ‘Dear NFL, please bring the Atlanta Falcons to London in 2021’

by Sports Tourism Media co-editor Mike Starling | @mikejstarling The NFL has confirmed that the 2020 London games will not be going ahead. As a fan of the Atlanta Falcons this is really disappointing news. The coronavirus pandemic has ravaged this year’s sporting schedule and the NFL’s popular UK events have become the latest to fall victim to Covid-19. NFL UK managing director Alistair Kirkwood said: "The NFL's London Games have become a major part of the NFL season and the UK sports calendar. But the uncertainty in the current sporting landscape and the tremendous amount of long-term travel and planning required to stage successful London games mean this is the sensible decision to make." Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Bitter blow for the FA, Spurs and ...

World Football Summit and Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazário launch WFS Live virtual event

8May

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Sports Business

World Football Summit and Brazil icon Ronaldo Nazário launch WFS Live virtual event

World Football Summit (WFS) has teamed up with legendary striker Ronaldo Nazário and Octagon Brasil to launch a four-day virtual conference - WFS Live powered by Octagon. Taking place online from 6-9 July 2020, the football business event will see global leaders from the game come together to address the challenges and opportunities in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to a WFS statement executives from clubs, leagues, federations, broadcasters, agencies and sponsorship brands will “lay sound foundations for the sport to continue growing into a new era”. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Brazilian icon Ronaldo Nazário, a two-time Fifa World Cup winner, is owner of Spanish La Liga club Real Valladolid and is also president of Octagon Brasil. “T...

7May

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Events, Sports Business

UFC returns: Dana White on UFC 249, Fight Island and 23 May event in Las Vegas

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White had already confirmed three events for this month and now he has revealed plans for a fight night in Las Vegas on 23 May. Due to the coronavirus measures the mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation was forced to suspend its calendar. However, UFC 249 is now rescheduled for this Saturday (9 May) while cards are also planned for 13 May and 16 May. The three events will be held behind closed doors in Jacksonville, Florida. In a pre-UFC 249 interview with Sports Illustrated, White also revealed plans for Vegas later this month. He said: “While everybody was f------ lying out by the pool, hanging out and doing whatever the f--- they're doing in quarantine, we were in here f------ grinding, man. Fighting crazy wars every day to put ...

7May

By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments

Sports Business

Bundesliga is back on 16 May: German football is first to restart in Europe

The German Bundesliga will be the first European football league to restart after getting the go-ahead from the government. Chancellor Angela Merkel has approved plans for the top two professional divisions to resume and the German Football League (DFL) has confirmed that the first matches will be played on Saturday 16 May. As part of the country’s ongoing coronavirus measures all matches will be played behind closed doors. Nine rounds of fixtures remain in the Bundesliga and the new schedule will see the final weekend of the season played on 27-28 June. Bayern Munich are currently top of the table. Christian Seifert, DFL managing director, said: “[The] decision is good news for the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is associated with a great responsibility for the clubs and t...

£740m ‘black hole’: UK sport bodies face financial meltdown

6May

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Sports Business

£740m ‘black hole’: UK sport bodies face financial meltdown

Sport governing bodies in the United Kingdom are facing hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue losses from events and matches called off because of the Covid-19 pandemic. In a hearing on Tuesday industry bosses from football, cricket, rugby union, Olympic and Paralympic sports told the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee (DCMS) of the financial crisis for UK sporting organisations. The Daily Telegraph reports that sport’s “darkest hour” will see a £740m “black hole” in the budgets of governing bodies. While the BBC puts the figure at “almost £700m”. According to the Telegraph UK sporting organisations are facing the following: £200m shortfall for English Football League clubs £107m losses for rugby union if England’s autumn internationals are cancelled £380m ...

UCI WorldTour 2020 calendar: what dates are the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour de France?

6May

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Destination Guides, Events, Sports Business

UCI WorldTour 2020 calendar: what dates are the Giro d’Italia, Vuelta a España and Tour de France?

Cycling’s world governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has revealed details of its revised 2020 calendars for the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women’s WorldTour. The 2020 season has been suspended since March due to the Covid-19 pandemic and major events such as the Tour de France have been rescheduled. In a news release the UCI has confirmed that the men’s cycling WorldTour will start with the Strade Bianche in Italy on 1 August and finish at the Vuelta a España on 8 November. The series will include 25 events. The Tour de France is scheduled to take place from 29 August to 20 September while the two other grand tours - the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España - will overlap in October. The Giro d’Italia is scheduled for 3-25 October while the Vuelta a España is scheduled f...

International Sports Convention in London postponed to June 2021

5May

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Sports Business

International Sports Convention in London postponed to June 2021

This year's International Sports Convention (ISC) in London has been postponed and will now take place from 8-9 June 2021. Tottenham Hotspur Stadium will remain the host venue for ISC 2021 and also for future editions of the sports business event. Nigel Fletcher, CEO of ISC, said: “Like everyone, we have been actively monitoring the evolving situation related to the novel coronavirus [COVID-19] and share the concern about the coronavirus and the questions this challenge presents. “The health and wellbeing of everyone is always paramount. The goal, of course, in any moment of public health concern, is to be guided by expert information, grounded in scientific and medical data, and sourced from public health and government authorities. “Borrowing one of the most famous advertising c...

‘Economic catastrophe’: US sports industry to lose $12bn in revenues

5May

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Sports Business

‘Economic catastrophe’: US sports industry to lose $12bn in revenues

Analysis by ESPN has found that the Covid-19 pandemic will cost the US sports industry $12bn in revenue and see the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Describing the situation as an “economic catastrophe”, the broadcaster says the meltdown is “a fraction of the crisis spreading across the country”, but it is “nonetheless historic”. Patrick Rishe, from Washington University in St Louis, said: “As an economist, you stand back, you look at the carnage that’s taking place - dumbfounded, awestruck, mind-numbing. All of those phrases, they’re all relevant because we just have never seen anything on this scale.” Should the US college football and NFL schedules be wiped out by the pandemic this could see the economic damage double for the sports industry in the States. The analysis predic...

Swimming: Fina World Championships in Fukuoka moved to 13-29 May 2022

5May

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Events, Sports Business

Swimming: Fina World Championships in Fukuoka moved to 13-29 May 2022

Swimming’s governing body Fina has moved the World Championships and World Masters Championships in Japan to 2022 following the rescheduling of the Tokyo Olympics Games. The postponement of this year’s Olympics in the Japanese capital means the mega-event will now take place from 23 July to 8 August 2021. This would have caused a clash with Fina’s two events. Fina’s swimming World Championships in Fukuoka, which had originally been scheduled for 16 July to 1 August 2021, will now be held from 13-29 May 2022. The World Masters Championships in Kyushu have been moved to 31 May to 9 June 2022, having originally been scheduled for 3-12 August 2021. Fina president Julio Maglione said: “After liaising with the relevant stakeholders and receiving feedback from them, we have no doubt that th...