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Latest news and events

Sport + Travel Interview: Marco Koch – Olympic elite swimmer
30Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

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:...
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Golf’s European Tour heads to Scotland and England as part of second UK swing
29Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Travel

Golf’s European Tour heads to Scotland and England as part of second UK swing

The 2020 European Tour golf season heads into the final straight with seven tournaments and a major championship left to play on the schedule. There was no Open Championship this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the Tour’s reworked schedule has included four more events in the UK.  After July and August tournaments in England and Wales, September’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Galgorm Castle Golf Club in Ballymena, Northern Ireland, saw the start of the Tour’s second UK swing in 2020.  The next two events on the schedule - the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open and BMW PGA Championship - are part of the Rolex Series, while the Scottish Championship is one of three new tournaments this year.  Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open takes pl...
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Autumn Nations Cup: rugby union’s new international tournament
28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Guides

Autumn Nations Cup: rugby union’s new international tournament

International rugby union fans will welcome a new tournament this year - the Autumn Nations Cup.  Taking place from 13 November to 6 December, eight countries will play 16 matches across four consecutive weekends. Three rounds of fixtures will then be followed by a finals weekend.  Governing body World Rugby says the competition has been set up due to the traditional November international fixtures not being able to be held because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Six Nations rugby championship teams England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy are joined by Fiji and Georgia for the inaugural cup. The 2020 Six Nations will conclude just two weeks ahead of the new competition.  Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What the organisers say&nb...
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Rugby League World Cup 2021: England’s tourism industry urged to be a part of history
28Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events

Rugby League World Cup 2021: England’s tourism industry urged to be a part of history

The 2021 Rugby League World Cup is being described as a “breakthrough moment” for the sport with the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments all taking place at the same time.  Starting on 23 October and finishing on 27 November 2021, there will be a total of 61 matches played in six weeks at different venues across England. The men’s Rugby League World Cup begins on 23 October with host nation England taking on Samoa at St James’ Park in Newcastle. And the women’s competition begins on 9 November with a double-header - England vs. Brazil and Papua New Guinea vs. Canada - at Emerald Headingley Stadium in Leeds.  There will also be a double-header for the start of the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup with Spain vs. Norway and England vs. Australia at The Copper Box Are...
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‘Proud’ moment for Bristol: rugby’s Heineken Champions Cup final to be played at Ashton Gate
27Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events

‘Proud’ moment for Bristol: rugby’s Heineken Champions Cup final to be played at Ashton Gate

Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol has been selected to host the final of rugby union’s Heineken Champions Cup.  The stadium, which is home to Bristol City Football Club and Premiership rugby’s Bristol Bears, has never held a major sporting final.  But that will change on Saturday 17 October when Exeter Chiefs and Racing 92 go head-to-head for European club rugby’s biggest prize. The final will be held behind closed doors.   This year’s European rugby union finals were originally meant to be played in Marseille, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic the French city will now host in 2021. Describing it as a “proud” moment for the city, Ashton Gate Stadium’s managing director Mark Kelly said: “It’s a great honour for our venue to host the Champions Cup final and we look forward to we...
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An £84bn industry in crisis: surely jobs in events and MICE are ‘viable’?
26Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business, Sports Travel

An £84bn industry in crisis: surely jobs in events and MICE are ‘viable’?

In September the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak outlined the UK government’s “Winter Economy Plan” which will see the furlough scheme replaced and more support given to sectors hit hard by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.  While Sunak unveiled the new Job Support Scheme, which will launch on 1 November for six months, he also announced plans for business loans, VAT cuts and help for the self-employed.  The Treasury also said the new scheme will protect “viable jobs” in companies who are “facing lower demand over the winter months due to coronavirus”. So which jobs are deemed as “viable”. It’s a question many professionals across the UK are seeking answers for. Sky News business presenter Ian King asks: which are the workers who are most at risk of losing ...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Martina Jamnig – director, Austrian National Tourist Office UK
23Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Sports Business

Sport + Travel Interview: Martina Jamnig – director, Austrian National Tourist Office UK

Martina Jamnig is the director of the Austrian National Tourist Office UK, promoting a country which she describes as a "playground for sport". Originating from Austria’s sunshine state Carinthia, which borders with Italy and Slovenia, adventure sport is in her blood, as is football. As a season ticket holder at Arsenal FC, she plans vacations around the team's playing schedule and has travelled far and wide following the Gunners. Her two main passions, sport and travel, have been a consistent thread throughout her life, both personally and professionally. Examples of this include having worked as a project executive, in close collaboration with Uefa, for the Euro 2008 football championship. She also volunteered at the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics, where she worked with foo...
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What is the world’s best sports city? Here’s 30 you should visit…
13Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Guides, Sports Travel

What is the world’s best sports city? Here’s 30 you should visit…

If you ask the question “what is the world's best sports city?” the answers won’t just be varied but it could also start a huge debate.  Take the United States for example. You have Boston - home of NFL’s New England Patriots, baseball’s Red Sox, NBA’s Celtics and NHL’s Bruins - which was named America’s best sports city in 2020 by Forbes magazine.  Would residents of Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Chicago or New York agree with the Forbes ranking? Of course not, but this is the beauty of such a list, it certainly gets sports fans talking... In February communications agency Burson Cohn & Wolfe (BCW) published its 2020 ranking of the best sports cities and it was New York that took top spot ahead of London, Paris, Los Angeles and Lausanne.   Is New York a be...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Nicola Checcarelli, an Umbrian elite cyclist
10Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Nicola Checcarelli, an Umbrian elite cyclist

Nicola Checcarelli started cycling as a child, rising to an elite category within the sport whilst competing in Tuscany. He counts himself as extremely lucky to have made cycling, not only his job but his pastime making him a long-time advocate of sports travel to the region. Since 2004, he has covered various journalistic roles, for example, with the Periodical Publishing Company, publisher of the specialized magazines Bicisport, Cicloturismo and Mtb Magazine. This has allowed him to focus on the Umbrian Region, with specific emphasis on the promotion of cycling tourism. He has also worked in specialized cycling shops. He now continues to compete at an amateur level, dealing with bio-mechanics and is also the editor for the online magazine BiciDaStrada.it. As you will continue to rea...
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‘Escapade Living’ brings motorsport to your living room window
1Sep By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Travel, 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...
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UK horse racing in 2020: major races, events and festivals
26Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Guides

UK horse racing in 2020: major races, events and festivals

Horse racing - flat and jumps - is a huge sporting tradition in the UK.  Featuring the English Classics and Grand Nationals to the Gold Cups and the Derby, the UK racing calendar is action-packed throughout the year.  From Ayr to Ascot, we look at the major UK horse races and events taking place in 2020. Newsletter: sign up for the latest updates from Sports Tourism Media 2020 sports calendar: UK and global major sporting events and ticket details Major UK horse races and festivals in 2020 Editor's note: events and dates are subject to change because of the Covid-19 pandemic Sprint Cup Festival What: the Group 1 Sprint Cup is the feature race of the Flat season at Haydock Park When: 3-5 September 2020 Where: Haydock Park Website: The Jockey Club St Leger Festival Doncaster ...
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F1 2020 GP calendar: 17 race dates and circuits are confirmed
25Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Guides

F1 2020 GP calendar: 17 race dates and circuits are confirmed

Formula 1 and the FIA have confirmed the dates and circuits for the 17-race 2020 season.  Turkey returns to the F1 schedule with a grand prix in Istanbul on 15 November and there’s a double header in Bahrain before the season concludes in Abu Dhabi on 13 December.  A statement from Formula 1 said: “We can confirm that Turkey, Bahrain [hosting two races], and Abu Dhabi will be part of the revised season and want to express our thanks to the hard work of all our promoters and partners in making this 17-race season possible.  “Sadly, we will not be racing in China this season and want to thank our partner Juss Sports for their support and engagement in recent months and hugely look forward to returning to Shanghai next year.” The shorter season also sees grands prix...
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Sailing: next edition of The Ocean Race to start in Alicante in October 2022
17Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

Sailing: next edition of The Ocean Race to start in Alicante in October 2022

The Ocean Race organisers have confirmed that the next edition of the event will start from Alicante, Spain, in October 2022 and finish in Genova, Italy, in the summer of 2023.  For the first time in its history, further event dates have also been confirmed through the next 10 years and a feasibility study is currently underway for a European race to take place in the summer of 2021.  The change to the start date for the next edition of the round the world race follows a strategic planning process and consultations with stakeholders to determine the best path forward in a sporting landscape impacted by Covid-19.  Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media Richard Brisius, race chairman, said: “Since 1973, The Ocean Race has been one of the toughest challenges in sport. Win...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Pip Hare – British single-handed ocean racing sailor
11Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Pip Hare – British single-handed ocean racing sailor

At 12:02 GMT on the 8th Nov 2020, 34 competitors of the Vendée Globe race, will sail non-stop, unassisted, single handed 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. Pip Hare is one of those competitors; a British single-handed ocean racing sailor, journalist, coach and inspirational speaker. With 2 world-first endurance records to her name, the winner of multiple international yacht races, and 20 years of experience in ocean racing, Pip will be taking part in this year’s iconic Vendée Globe – the world’s toughest single-handed yacht race - with the ambition of breaking the current female record. Sports Tourism Media wishes Pip good luck on this tremendous endeavour and ...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Riyad Ayyoub of the Royal Jordanian Falcons National Aerobatic Team
3Aug By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

Sport + Travel Interview: Riyad Ayyoub of the Royal Jordanian Falcons National Aerobatic Team

If you look into the skies above Jordan’s Red Sea resort of Aqaba you may well catch a glimpse of ‘The Royal Jordanian Falcons National Aerobatics Team’. Founded and established in 1976 at the behest of his Majesty the late King Hussein Bin Talal, himself an accomplished pilot. Soon after their formation, Riyad Ayyoub now the General Manager of the team, joined the Falcons back in 1985. Not only has he been part of their journey ever since, he has also witnessed the growth in tourism to this region of Jordan and certainly the realisation of its Sport Tourism potential. To view the current RJ Falcons team please go to https://rjfalcons.com/rjf-team/ Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why? I learnt to water-ski...
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The Sports Tourism Blog: my top 10 favourite sporting trips and experiences
29Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Sports Travel

The Sports Tourism Blog: my top 10 favourite sporting trips and experiences

The Sports Tourism Blog by Mike Starling, co-editor, Sports Tourism News  As a sports journalist - and a sports fanatic - I have been lucky to have attended a number of events and tournaments over the years. In no particular order, here I pick out ten of my favourite sporting trips and experiences.  Wimbledon 2019  https://twitter.com/MikeJStarling/status/1145776862905405441 Of all the events I have ever been to, going to The Championships at Wimbledon was probably the biggest tick off my sporting bucket list. I was fortunate enough to get an invite through IMG Tennis to attend day one in 2019 and was even more lucky to get the chance to see Coco Gauff’s stunning victory over Venus Williams in the first round of the women’s singles. If you ever get the opport...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Angelita Teo – IOC’s Director of the Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH)
29Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Angelita Teo – IOC’s Director of the Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH)

Sports Tourism Media visited ‘The Olympic Museum’ (TOM) last summer to relive the greatest moments in Olympic history and to discover a truly unique cultural and sporting resource. Thus, we are delighted to interview Angelita Teo, who joined the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the Director of the Foundation for Culture and Heritage (OFCH) in October of 2019. She brings with her a wealth of expertise and influence in the cultural sector from Singapore, as their former Senior Director of the National Heritage Board (NHB) of Singapore and Director of the National Museum of Singapore (NMS). See how sport, travel and culture continue to impact on Angelita's lifestyle... Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media https://www.instagram.com/p/CCRa2kgn9CY/ What wa...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Kieran Coyle, founder of Premiership Experience
22Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Kieran Coyle, founder of Premiership Experience

Kieran Coyle is the owner/founder of the award-winning global sports tour operator Premiership Experience, a company working in partnership with some leading brands in the world of sport to deliver memorable experiences for schools, clubs and many more organisations. Having played football to a professional level, he started the business aged 19 and has grown it to become an international brand with offices in the UK, China & Middle-East. As a business and sportsman, fan and footy aficionado, Kieran provides Sports Travel Media a unique insight into his company and his sports travel mind set. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why?  With the fast paced nature of my day to day, when I go on holid...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Paddy Graham, Britain’s top Freeskier
12Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Paddy Graham, Britain’s top Freeskier

Paddy Graham is Britain's top freeskier and has won the Battle of Britain London Freeze (2009, 2010 and 2012), Red Bull Playstreets and the Red Bull Tribal Quest in his career to date. He is also part of the ski-film collective 'Legs of Steel' which produces action sports feature films and TV documentaries. Paddy spends plenty of time in the air (in every sense of the word) making him a great candidate for our interview series. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media https://www.instagram.com/p/B-35n7-FfDi/ What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why? The first time I went skiing was with school on a trip to Vermont, USA - it was my first real experience on snow but not my most memorable, that would have to be Tignes, Fran...
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Sport + Travel Interview: Sam Sunderland, Dakar Rally winner
6Jul By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Travel

Sport + Travel Interview: Sam Sunderland, Dakar Rally winner

In 2017 Sam Sunderland became the first British Dakar Rally Champion in the history of the race. As his Red Bull profile states, he has “shredded the tracks and trails of the British motocross scene since he was seven years old”. With talent at such an early age, Sam was seemingly destined to vanquish the world’s toughest rally. Having overcome the many challenges thrown at him, including injury, his appetite for the thrills, spills and exhilaration his career provides, seems undimmed. Sports Tourism Media co-editor Ramy Salameh spoke to Sam about his Sports Travel life. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media https://www.instagram.com/p/B-PYqD8KSYo/ What was your most memorable sporting holiday and why? Andorra, it was really cool for me to discover th...
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