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Hiking and biking in Slovakia’s Tatras and Liptov region
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Hiking and biking in Slovakia’s Tatras and Liptov region

Hiking and biking in Slovakia’s Tatras and Liptov region really is for everyone - not just those with the fitness of a Tatra Chamois, although you might encounter one on route.  Colour-coded trails, and plenty of cable cars, weave, wind and climb their way past some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the “smallest alpine mountains in Europe”, giving everyone the chance to have their breath taken away by the scenery.  Whether on foot or in the saddle, keep in mind red is for ridges, blue for long distance trails, green is for trails leading to other trails and yellow connects trails of different colours.   Go and explore this hiking and biking paradise of forests, valleys, waterfalls and alpine lakes set beneath more than 2,500 peaks. 1. Scale the hikin...
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Adrenaline-fueled and culturally quirky experiences in the High and Low Tatras
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Adrenaline-fueled and culturally quirky experiences in the High and Low Tatras

The High and Low Tatras and neighbouring parks are certainly places where visitors can tick off a few adrenaline-fueled and culturally quirky bucket-list items. Primarily, Slovakia’s national parks help to protect, sustain and improve the unique ecosystems of the country’s pristine nature, but also feature some unexpectedly exciting activities. Bike Park Jasna (Image: Enjoy Tatras DMC) 1. Adrenaline for all: Bike Park Bachledka (Low Tatras) Consisting of five downhill biking tracks of varying difficulty, from the family inclusive “Pumptrack” through to the “Root Sphere” trail with steeper descents, navigating tree routes across the meadow and forest terrain. The fastest and most challenging tracks are “DH American Dream” and “DH Roller Coaster Trail” with more demanding secti...
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Caves in Slovakia: five to visit in the High Tatras, Low Tatras, Liptov and Spis regions
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Caves in Slovakia: five to visit in the High Tatras, Low Tatras, Liptov and Spis regions

There is something other worldly about entering a cave network - and many of these speleological experiences can be found in Slovakia, Central Europe’s largest karst territory.  Each cave has its own signature story, with options to merely admire as part of a group tour, or as a “speleo-trekker”, besides caving specialists wearing helmets and head lamps.  Here’s some recommendations on where to start your subterranean adventure…  Belianska Cave in the High Tatras (Image: Enjoy Tatras DMC) 1. Belianska Jaskyna Cave (High Tatras)  Located in Tatranska Kotlina, Belianska Jaskyna is the only cave open to the public in the High Tatras. It displays many types of natural cave decorations, including flowstone waterfalls and pagoda stalagmites, within several cave...
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Four top ski resorts in the High and Low Tatras: a winter sports wonderland
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Four top ski resorts in the High and Low Tatras: a winter sports wonderland

A winter holiday is a great way to relax and unwind during the colder months and the Tatra and Liptov Mountains provide a top alternative to other established European resorts.  Various compact ski resorts provide value for money without compromising on quality and the winter season brings plenty of fun challenges to the slopes. These are the mountains where Petra Vlhova, the current world champion in giant slalom, honed her skills.  The region shares several major ski areas and while the names may not be instantly recognisable, new guests are wowed by the trails, views and hospitality.  1. Tatranska Lomnica (High Tatras)  With 20km of ski slopes, Tatranska Lomnica is home to the longest ski run in Slovakia stretching out an impressive 5.5km in length. ...
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Water tourism in High Tatras and Liptov: aquaparks and wellness centres
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Water tourism in High Tatras and Liptov: aquaparks and wellness centres

From geothermal to glacial, water continues to sustain the landscape of one of Europe’s most majestic regions.  A key source of nourishment, allowing humans and nature to heal, develop and flourish, the thermal and mineral springs are part of Slovakia’s greatest legacies, thanks to its vast water resources.  The Tatras and Liptov region has both man-made and natural amenities to “soak-up and soak-in”, providing guests the chance to find their own balance between active mountain adventures and to relax in thermal spas or frolic in some truly unique waterparks.  Facilities in Poprad, Liptovsky, Mikulas, Oravice and Vyhne make the region and country a popular spa destination.  Here are just a few options to reduce the heart rate and let body and soul be re...
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Slovakia’s popular dish and drink: a culinary quest to fuel active pursuits
5Nov By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Enjoy Tatras

Slovakia’s popular dish and drink: a culinary quest to fuel active pursuits

Any sports nutritionist will tell you that putting the right ingredients in will get the best results out. A healthy and active region requires some hearty cuisine, so why not up the calorie count when you know you can walk, hike, cycle or ski it off later? Slovak cuisine includes plenty of delicious dishes and drinks that will have you pushing your limits in nature. Here are two you cannot miss trying...  Bryndzove Halusky by Gregory Finster (Wikipedia) Bryndzove Halusky: A Slovak favourite dish Slovakia has not just put ingredients into a bowl to create their own unique tastes, but have mixed in the influences from its central and eastern European neighbours. So let us introduce you to “Bryndzove Halusky” (potato dumplings), which is considered the national dish of ...
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‘Events. Reimagined’: business events campaign launched by VisitBritain
21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Sports Business

‘Events. Reimagined’: business events campaign launched by VisitBritain

VisitBritain is urging event organisers to innovate and “reimagine the future” as the sector looks to recover from the fallout of the Covid-19 pandemic. The UK’s £84bn events and MICE industry has been one of the hardest hit sectors by the coronavirus, with many venues still closed and conferences and exhibitions postponed or cancelled.  As part of its international hosted buyer partnership with The Meetings Show, the VisitBritain tourism agency has launched a new business events campaign - "Events. Reimagined". The aim of the campaign is to “reboot, refresh and reimagine” future events in the UK.     In a statement, VisitBritain said: “With such enormous upheaval recently, the events industry will see innovation and change unlike ever before. The new ‘Reimagine’ campaign is to he...
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British & Irish Lions to play at ‘home’ for the first time since 2005
21Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events

British & Irish Lions to play at ‘home’ for the first time since 2005

It’s been announced that the British & Irish Lions rugby union team will face Japan in Scotland on 26 June 2021.  The clash against the Brave Blossoms at BT Murrayfield in Scotland’s capital Edinburgh will be the first time since 2005 that the Lions have played a “home” fixture. The Lions’s last game in Britain was against Argentina in Cardiff, Wales. Warren Gatland’s side will travel to South Africa in 2021 and the Japan game will be used as a warm-up for the summer tour, which features three Tests against the world champions.  Lions head coach Gatland said: “We saw Japan play some excellent rugby during the World Cup and they will come to Edinburgh fully-motivated to win. They are a talented side who play high-tempo rugby, so it’ll be a good challenge for us ahead ...
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F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race
13Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel, Venues & Stadiums

F1 Portuguese Grand Prix: motorsport fans get revved up for Algarve race

Motorsport fans could witness history at the next Formula 1 grand prix when it descends on the beautiful southern shoreline of the Algarve later this month.  Having equalled Michael Schumacher’s all-time record of 91 F1 victories by winning the Eifel GP at the Nürburgring, Lewis Hamilton could go one better with a win in Portugal and write a new chapter in the sport.  For that reason motorsport fans will be even more eager to say “I was there” if indeed Hamilton takes the checkered flag on 25 October.   This year the 2020 Portuguese GP takes place over 66 laps of the 4.684-kilometre Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimão.  João Fernandes, president of Algarve Tourism, said: “Formula 1 has been absent from Portugal for 24 years and it is a prestigious inte...
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Scottish Golf Tourism Week: 2020 event postponed and new dates announced for 2021
12Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business

Scottish Golf Tourism Week: 2020 event postponed and new dates announced for 2021

The fifth edition of Scottish Golf Tourism Week, which was due to take place in November, has now been postponed until 2021. This year’s event had been scheduled for 5-11 November, but the Covid-19 pandemic has forced organisers to amend their plans. The event at the Fairmont St Andrews will now take place from 30 March to 1 April 2021.  A statement read: “Following consultation with international tour operators faced with little prospect of being able to travel to Scotland, organisers have sought to postpone the event. The good news for the Scottish golf tourism industry is that new dates have now been announced with Scottish Golf Tourism Week now returning at the start of the 2021 golf season.” Tom Lovering, commercial director at PSP Media Group, added: “Scottish Golf Tour...
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Racing League: 2021 meeting dates and how it works
11Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Events, Guides, Sports Business

Racing League: 2021 meeting dates and how it works

Championship Horse Racing has confirmed that the inaugural season of the Racing League will begin in July 2021. Held over six consecutive Thursday evenings, the new flat racing competition will be contested at four of the UK’s leading racecourses - Doncaster, Lingfield Park, Newcastle and Royal Windsor. Racing League 2021 race days  Race Day 1: Newcastle – 29 July Race Day 2: Doncaster – 5 August Race Day 3: Lingfield Park – 12 August Race Day 4: Royal Windsor – 19 August Race Day 5: Lingfield Park – 26 August Race Day 6: Newcastle – 2 September Race Distances Each meeting will have six races over the following distances: 5 furlongs 6 furlongs 7 furlongs 8 furlongs – 1-mile race 10 furlongs – 1 and ¼ mile race 12 furlongs – 1 and ½ mile race The format will...
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Sport + Travel interview: Dinah Josephs, group fitness manager at The Campus, Quinta do Lago, Portugal
5Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Holidays & Trips, Hotels & Resorts, Sports Business, Sports Travel

Sport + Travel interview: Dinah Josephs, group fitness manager at The Campus, Quinta do Lago, Portugal

The wellness and activity holiday trend has been evolving rapidly over recent years. Right now there has never been a greater need for vacations which enhance your mental and physical needs, and Dinah Josephs, group fitness manager at The Campus, Quinta do Lago, Portugal is at the forefront of facilitating that trend. She has nearly two decades of experience under her belt as an international health, fitness and wellbeing lifestyle professional and consultant, in a range of sports environments. Dinah specialises in yoga practise, personal training, group fitness training, healthy eating, nutritional advice and guidance and natural health using a holistic approach to wellbeing. As for The Campus, Dinah cannot speak highly enough (and without bias) about her place of work. So read on...
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Sport Events Congress 2021: Sport Tourism Canada aims to ‘bounce back’ in Ottawa
4Oct By Sports Tourism NewsNo Comments
Sports Business

Sport Events Congress 2021: Sport Tourism Canada aims to ‘bounce back’ in Ottawa

Sport Tourism Canada has announced the dates and host cities for the next four editions of its popular Sport Events Congress (SEC).  After the disappointment of having to cancel in 2020, Sport Tourism Canada is aiming to “bounce back” in the nation's capital when SEC21 is held at The Westin Ottawa in Ottawa from 7-8 April. The hybrid event will also feature “SEC Virtually” on 9 April.   SEC, a three-day interactive and educational event, has previously attracted more than 400 attendees. Delegates include sport organisations, event rights holders, destination tourism professionals, event suppliers, event management firms and hoteliers. Newsletter: sign up for updates from Sports Tourism Media 2021 #SportsBiz events and conferences https://www.youtube.com/watch...
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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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