There will be a strong focus on sports tourism at this year’s World Travel Market, following on from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games – and the programme will be sponsored by Eurosport.
“World Travel Market plays an important role in bringing key players and influencers from sport and tourism together under one roof for the exchange of ideas and practices, as well as offering excellent networking opportunities,” said Eurosport Group’s Global Commercial Director, Olivier Fisch.
The Sports Tourism programme starts on the first day of WTM, Monday 5th November, at 3.00pm 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 Executive Mary Rance shares her thoughts on the impact of the London games in the session that takes place in Platinum Suite 4 at ExCeL, London.
The major sporting event theme continues on Wednesday 7th November with Optimising the Tourism Benefits of Major Event for Host Nations, which 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. Professor Geoffrey Lipman from the Chair of DeHaan Institute’s Advisory Board will chair the event, which takes place at 3.30pm in Platinum Suite 3.
Another session in the Sports Tourism programme looks at adventure tourism. The Future for Activity, Adventure and Sports Tourism panel of speakers includes Xola Consulting Chief Excutive Caroline Heyniger, The Adventure Travel Trade Association Vice President Chris Chesak, and Wilderness Scotland Director Paul Easto. It takes place on Tuesday 6th November at 2.00pm in South Gallery Rooms 23 & 24.
