There will be a strong focus on the sports tourism sector at this year’s World Travel Market.
Reed Travel Exhibitions, Fiona Jeffery, chairman of WTM, said, “WTM is ideally positioned to bring together destinations, specialist operators, trade bodies and superstars with a business interest in this multi-billion pound sector that is sports tourism.”
The Sports Tourism programme, sponsored by Eurosport, starts on the first day of WTM, November 5, with Tourism and the Olympic Games 2012 – A Review which will look at the impact the London 2012 Games has had on London’s and the UK’s tourism industry.
Speakers include European Tour Operators Association Tom Jenkins, who has been an outspoken critic of the impact the Olympic Games has had on tourism for host cities, arguing that tourists stay away in the build-up, during and aftermath of the event.
UKinbound chief Mary Rance shares her thoughts on the impact of the London games in the session at ExCeL – London.
The major sporting event theme continues with Optimising the Tourism Benefits of Major Event for Host Nationswhich will ask what the major right holders (such as the International Olympic Committee and FIFA) should be doing to help deliver the potential tourism benefits.
Visit Britain chief executive Sandie Dawe will review the help she received from the IOC.
The final session in the Sports Tourism programme looks at adventure tourism.
