(PDF) Sport Tourism: A Critical Analysis of Research

SPORT, TOURISM
AND EVENTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Analysis of Resources needed to host the Olympic Games........................................................1
Description of Sport Tourism Environment in South East Queensland (SEQ)..........................3
Critical Analysis of Capacity of SEQ to host Olympic Games..................................................8
Analysis of Costs and Benefits for the Region Associated with the Games.............................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Sport, tourism and events, is an appropriate area of study and research, which reflects the
inclination of society related towards sport tourism and effective insight into several global level
events, which appropriately takes place to further develop this area appropriately (Wise and
Harris, 2017). These events are quite effective in enhancing and encouraging participation of
individuals and communities towards sports, along with ensuring effective involvement of
audiences as well. Furthermore, sport tourism is one of the fastest growing sector within the
travel industry globally. The report effectively covers a detailed analysis towards the resources
that are needed to host Olympic Games. Furthermore, the report appropriately covers the
description of the sport tourism environment in South East Queensland (SEQ), which covers a
detailed information about regional geography, population, economic activity, transport,
accommodation and sport facilities. In addition to this, a critical analysis has also been
performed within the report, reflecting the capacity of SEQ in relation to hosting Olympic
Games. Moreover, an analysis of costs and benefits for the region associated with he Games.
MAIN BODY
Analysis of Resources needed to host the Olympic Games
Olympics is one of the mega events in relation to sports, which features winter as well as
summer sport competitions. Within the same, thousands of individuals from all over the world
participate within a diverse range of competitions. Moreover, more than 200 countries participate
within this event, making it one of the foremost competition globally (Wäsche, 2015).
These are held in every four years, where the format focuses on alternating summer as
well as winter games. In addition, this event is also known to amalgamate several nations
together to develop appropriate harmony and unity at the global level towards participation and
growth of sports around the world.
However, there are several resources which are required by a country in order to host
Olympic Games. Some of the most prominent resources are discussed below:
 Technology:
One of the major resources required to host Olympics is effective technology. This is
because, history of these games is larger than a century, where evolution of this event was
possible and evident due to changes and evolution of technologies. Being technological savvy is
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one of the most prominent requirement for a nation or city to host the Olympic events.
Furthermore, there has been an extensive level usage of technology within the overall event. For
instance, in case there is limited access to technology within a city, it would fail in appropriately
and effectively ensure off-site support for the games. This sort of support is required to
appropriately ensure setting up of agencies, which is used to back up IT security as well as other
essential functions of the overall event (How Technology Has Changed the Olympics, 2019).
Another aspect which reflects the extensive use of technology is to establish and construct an
infrastructure, which appropriately and effectively enhance the convenience to athletes, their
teams as well as the audiences. Moreover, this is needed in context to ensuring their utmost
involvement, well-being, as well as security.
 Transportation:
Another appropriate resource required to host Olympics is effective transportation. It
includes factors like appropriate train lines, airports, general transportation facilities and so forth.
However, this resource is perhaps one of the most crucial yet typical element to comply with.
Reason for the same is that, within an estimate, more than 1.5 million supplementary journeys
have been arranged by the host cities daily. This appropriately enhances the importance of
inclusion of this resource. Moreover, this requires the city to indulge into several activities like
creation of new and appropriate train lines, ensuring improvement or creation of runways,
development of airports, etc., which are essential in relation to ensuring an effective hosting of
the event within the country (Ulvnes and Solberg, 2016).
 Accommodation:
This resource is related to providing essential place and arrangements to participants and
their teams to stay, throughout the course of the event. This requires a high quality arrangement,
followed by effective pricing, which is somewhat suitable to the people using these facilities.
Moreover, International Olympic Committee has communicated quite an effective requirement,
for the host city to have a number close to 41,001 rooms for every stakeholder associated with
the committee. However, this figure is excluding spectators of the event, which requires a higher
number of accommodation, which is yet, another complex yet essential requirement to host the
Olympic Games. In addition to this, the requirements for accommodation in relation to Olympic
village includes, appropriate management and oversight of every operation within the village,
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controlled access for guests as well as media, along with arrangements of accommodation and
several service requirements.
 Food:
This resource is another appropriate resource, which is quite essential to ensure that
people associated with the event, prominently athletes get effective and necessary nutrition and
protein to carry out themselves effectively throughout the event. In addition to this, appetite of an
athlete is quite heavier than that of a normal human being. The reason which backs this fact up is
related to the fact that their daily routine requires them a certain level of exercise and food
intake, which contributes in their effective performance. However, in order to host Olympics, the
requirement is related to ensure food delivery service 24 hours a day. This means inclusion of
lots of people, kitchen teams, effective multi cuisine food items and so forth. Furthermore, along
with food production, the cities willing to host Olympics are required to focus on food safety as
well. For instance, they are required to implement safety systems like Bidvest Logistic, which
allows the event management team to ensure limited wastage, despite such an extensive food
supply system.
 Human Resources:
One of the most important resources, individuals, management teams, research analysts
and volunteers are the backbone of success of Olympics. They contribute their hard work,
intellect, creativity and innovation capabilities to ensure that the event is effectively handled and
managed properly. Moreover, out of such diverse individuals, volunteers are the ones which have
a significant impact on organisation and performance of the event. This is because they help in
saving millions which could prominently be used for some other activity effectively.
Description of Sport Tourism Environment in South East Queensland (SEQ)
South East Queensland is a political, as well as, administrative region within the state of
Queensland, Australia. There has been an ongoing bid related to the city hosting Olympics for
2032 Olympics. However, it is highly essential to monitor the appropriate and effective sport
tourism environment within the country, which effectively could provide an idea in relation to
how effective could the infrastructure of the city become in order to accommodate an event as
large as Olympics (Taks, Chalip and Green, 2015).
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The sport tourism environment within South East Queensland (SEQ), is discussed in brief
below:
 Regional Geography:
South East Queensland has an effective and extensive network of several water bodies
around its geographical area, which is inclusive of several rivers, creeks, lakes, as well as the
Pacific Ocean. Moreover, Moreton Bay surrounding the area is quite significant in terms of
ecological importance (Roberts, 2015).
Furthermore, the area of the overall location is around 24,081 km (South East
Queensland: Geographic information, 2019). In terms of its geographical boundaries, the region
is surrounded at the South by New South Wales Queensland State border, at East with Pacific
Ocean, at West with Great Dividing Range and Mary and Brisbane rivers in the North.
Moreover, in terms of terrains, while the southern and western regions are dominated by
mountains, the East is dominated with Coastal Plains.
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Illustration 1: Contextual map of the South East Queensland region
§§
(Source: South East Queensland: Geographic Information, 2019 )
In addition to these facts, the whole geographical region has been quite favourable for
enhancing the scope of Sports Tourism (Melo and Sobry, 2017). This is because there are several
activities happening in the region, which includes activities like off-road adventures, cave diving,
sky diving, etc. Moreover, the region is considered to be one of the most favourable places for
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sports activities, hence, contributing to an appropriate and effective environment related to sports
tourism within the country.
 Population:
In context with population, more than 3.27 million people are situated within the area
(MAIN FEATURES, 2019). Within Queensland, the South East Queensland region dominates in
terms of populations. There are several towns, urban centres and cities associated within the
region, which has an effective population distribution within themselves. For instance, Brisbane
and City of Gold Coast dominate in terms of population density, with population of 1.2 million
and around 6 lacks respectively. Moreover, the people within this region are highly inclined
towards appropriate and effective cultural activities. However, one appropriate highlight within
the population aspect, which has been evident recently, is that after Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games, the people are highly inclined towards indulging into sports, enhancing
positivity within the sports tourism environment (Strengthening South East Queensland South,
2019). Moreover, several cities within South East Queensland, particularly population of
Brisbane, are quite inclined towards sports activities, majorly football. The city has its own
football clubs, such as, Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Lions, etc., which have several fans globally,
making a prominent and positive sports tourism environment (Mackellar, 2015).
 Economic Activity:
In terms of economy, the overall condition within South East Queensland is quite sound.
Moreover, tourism has a prominent impact on the overall economic environment of the region.
Within 2017, overall 85% of the total economic benefit which the region received was from
tourism activities within South East Queensland (Queensland Tourism, 2019). Moreover, overall
tax revenue within Queensland was more than $1,147 million, contributing to around 25% of the
total revenue in Australia. In terms of employment, more than 236,000 individuals are employed
in Tourism sector. Along with this, it generates around $68 million a day, through overnight
visitor expenditure (Brisbane Regional Snapshot, 2019). In addition to this, there are several
effective raise within the trade and investment activities in South East Queensland after the
Commonwealth Games, held recently. As an example, the government is enhancing investment
in areas like Gold Coast in order to do business in terms of sports, which would further bring in
positivity within the sports tourism environment. Moreover, initiations are taken by agencies and
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government to develop a healthy and effective culture towards sports, which involves engaging
people from different communities in sports, hence, driving the field forward.
 Transport:
The transport facilities within South East Queensland have extended since the 2018
Commonwealth Games. Moreover, during that time, a strategic transportation plan was
formulated, which enhanced the general use of public and private transport within the whole
geographical area of the region (Mackellar and Nisbet, 2017). For instance, according to a report
by The Queensland Cabinet, there has been several improvements in context of infrastructure
associated with public transport after the mega event in 2018. This actively included Inner
Northern Busways, more than 25 three-car trains, as well as, almost 65 kilometres of new tracks.
Moreover, a new SEQ Infrastructure plan was effectively developed, wherein robust and
essential developments were undertaken to ensure support to sustainable growing communities,
as well as, to support enviable lifestyles. Furthermore, this also included effective developments
towards sea links and ports too, particularly in Brisbane and Gold Coast (South East Queensland
Infrastructure Plan and Program 2009-2026, 2019). All these aspects are very much effective in
context of enhancing the sports tourism within South East Queensland.
 Accommodation:
South East Queensland has been known to appropriately and effectively work towards
enhancing its accommodation services for the tourists. Moreover, cities like Logan, Gold Coast
and Brisbane are very much effective when it comes to providing effective and convenient places
to people with agenda of Sports Tourism in perspective.
Particularly, areas like Brisbane are very much active in context of building a very strong
foundation in terms of infrastructure, where they have created an effective international airport,
comprehensive rail and road network, international port, integrated public transport, as well as,
ticketing system. Moreover, within these, the city provides its patrons with a range of
accommodation options, which they can choose according to their preferences. From 3 to 5 stars’
accommodations and boutique lodgings, the infrastructure within the city offers benefits to
individuals such as in-house conference facilities. Furthermore, its high class hotels are inclusive
of around 40,000 beds and more than 13,000 guest rooms (Infrastructure, 2019). Moreover,
having placed in prominent locations to access the sporting activities, this contributes in a
prominent environment in context of sports tourism (Kirkup and Sutherland, 2017).
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 Sport Facilities:
There are certain appropriate sports facilities within South East Queensland, which is
developed in relation to ensuring a facility for different sporting events, and distinct level of
athletes. For example, there are several elite sport facilities in the region, where athletes are
inclusive of training facilities. Moreover, there are several Queensland Recreation Centres, along
with Sports Houses, which are recently created for enhancing the sports facilities within the
region.
Thus, with analysis of all these aspects, it could be appropriately stated, that South East
Queensland includes a very positive and effective environment in context of Sports Tourism
(Kim and et. al., 2015).
Critical Analysis of Capacity of SEQ to host Olympic Games
From the assessment above, it was stated that South East Queensland has a prominent
and contributing environment towards sports and effective tourism related to the same.
Moreover, in context with the Olympic Games, the country has seriously been considered within
the bidding process to be the host of 2032 Olympic games.
However, it is highly essential for the region to be assessed on several appropriate
factors, wherein its strengths and weaknesses are analysed. Furthermore, such analytical aspects
would also allow in assessing the opportunities and threats available for the region in context
with hosting the Olympic Games.
Hence, in this context, SWOT Analysis is being used, which is a framework to critically
analyse and reflect the overall advantages, shortcomings, possibilities and roadblocks, which
could have a serious impact in context of hosting Olympic Games. Therefore, this framework is
applied below:
 Strengths:
There are several strengths within South East Queensland, which reflects its effective
capacity in context with hosting the Olympic Games. For instance, the region has been claimed
as one of the most effective destination for tourism in perception of customers. This reflects from
the facts that crime rate has suddenly taken a downfall, which enhances positive mind set in
patrons and athletes to explore the destination due to its safety (Hudson and Hudson, 2015). ). As
reflected in the graph below, while the crime rates were shooting up, the new and appropriate
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measures in terms of crime has been quite effective in bringing the rate down and opening of
pathways in context of tourism.
Illustration 2: Queensland Crime Statistics
(Source: Queensland Crime Statistics, 2019)
Another strength of South East Queensland is that they are quite considerate about
enhancing their facilities and accommodation services, in a way, which is affordable to patrons
as well as effective in context of being accessible to the sports and recreational facilities.
Moreover, the region has high investment capacity and goodwill following the Gold Coast 2018
Commonwealth Games. All these factors are quite effective and in alignment with the above
requirements to host the Olympic Games (Hinch and Holt, 2017).
 Weaknesses:
There are several areas of weaknesses, which could ensue ineffectiveness in its race to
host the Olympic events. For instance, it has a very high dependency on Gold Coast in case they
wish to be a host to this international event. As claimed by the president of Australian Olympic
Committee, this dependency is quite inappropriate for the region and reflects a weaker political
and economic angle of South East Queensland. In addition to this, another pointer associated
with its weaknesses is that, the transport is still inappropriate in context with ineffective parking
facilities within the whole region (Higham, 2018). Moreover, spectators are claiming that both
Gold Coast and Brisbane are required to be improvised, as even after essential modifications
recently, they have weaker infrastructure which would not support the requirements of the
Olympic Games (South East Queensland 2032 Olympic bid needs Gold Coast Support, 2019).
 Opportunities:
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Following the strengths and weaknesses, there are certain opportunities which could be
utilised and capitalised by South East Queensland to enhance its capacity in hosting the Olympic
Games within the region. One appropriate opportunity lies with the new figures proposed in
context of funding the overall event. This is made possible by claims of IOC, which is willing to
enhance its funding to the overall performance in relation to appropriately handling its issues and
enhance its infrastructure to support the requirements of the plan (New funding figures leave
Queensland 2032 Olympic bid in better shape, 2019).
Furthermore, another opportunity with the region is its sound political structure, where
the parties are taking the bid seriously and enhancing their efforts and political influence towards
supporting the potential candidacy of the region. As per reports, a cross-government taskforce is
likely to be formed, which would analyse the overall potential venues, infrastructure in terms of
accommodation and transport and funding, that would be creating several opportunities for the
region to enhance its capacity in hosting the Olympics (South-east Queensland still chasing 2032
Olympics, 2019).
 Threats:
There are certain threats which are required to be viewed effectively by South East
Queensland, as these could serve as roadblocks and barriers for the region in context of hosting
the Olympic Games. For instance, apart from South East Queensland, there are several
competitive nations, which are in the bidding with this region, to host the event. For instance,
one region is Indonesia, which is very much effective in context of its infrastructure, capacity to
spend, as well as, accommodate. Apart from this, North and South Korea have also submitted
their candidature for the event. All these nations are prominent threats for South East Queensland
and strategies must be developed in context with overcoming such fierce competition
appropriately.
With the overall analysis, it could be said that the region has effective capacity to host
Olympics and with effective economic and political support, they would be getting several
appropriate and effective enhancement, which would be required to align with the current
requirements of hosting the events (Giampiccoli, Lee and Nauright, 2015).
Analysis of Costs and Benefits for the Region Associated with the Games
This section of report effectively deals with appropriate analysis of several costs as well
as benefits, which South East Queensland might experience in relation to Olympic Games. In
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terms of costing, there are several parties which actually contributes financially to support the
needs for the Olympics. For instance, the very first party associated with the funding is
taxpayers. Majorly, these funds are utilised in context of creation of an infrastructure for the
Olympic stadium. In relation with South East Queensland, almost $12 billion of such funds are
being utilised for this purpose (2032 Olympic Games in Southeast Queensland ‘feasible’, 2019).
Furthermore, another associated party is IOC, which undertakes necessary and essential funding
which they provide to the cities bidding for the Olympic event. For South East Queensland, IOC
is willing to contribute appropriately to a prominent extent, which would enhance the operating
cost to further $900 million. Furthermore, in context of funding, virtual cash could also be
generated by South East Queensland, through acquiring effective crowdfunding by social media.
All these methods in relation to costing are very much effective for the region, in developing its
financial capacity to host the events effectively (Gammon, 2015).
Furthermore, in relation to benefits, there will be several benefits which the region would
be experiencing, in case they host the Olympic Games. The very first benefit would be in terms
of revenue. Reason for the same is that this event happens at a global level, which includes
several patrons from different parts of the world to either participate, or to spectate the overall
event. In addition to this, their contribution towards the Olympic Games and speculation, would
be enhancing the scope of revenues in South East Queensland. Another benefit which the region
would be experiencing is in relation to social and cultural development. This could be supported
by effective reasoning, which states that with different patrons will witness the cultural practices
adopted by the local residents of South East Queensland, alongside witnessing the games, which
would enhance its popularity of the culture and would help in further development in relation to
its tourism and cultural activities (Aicher, Brenner and Eddosary, 2015).
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded from the above information, that Sport, tourism and events are
appropriate areas of insight and practice, which is essential in context of analysing the overall
scope of development of these areas on a particular region. Analysis of resources needed to host
the Olympic Games allows in analysing its requirements effectively. Furthermore, description of
sport tourism environment of a region, enables in assessing that whether the same has been
appropriately and effectively inclined towards sports tourism or not. Moreover, critical analysis
is associated with capacity of a region to host an event like Olympics, could appropriately be
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achieved and accomplished through SWOT Analysis. Lastly, analysis of costs and benefits helps
in analysing whether the overall event would be profitable for the region or not.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Aicher, T. J., Brenner, J. and Eddosary, M., 2015. Individuals’ motivation to participate in sport
tourism: A self-determination theory perspective. International Journal of Sport
Management, Recreation and Tourism. 18.pp.56-81.
Gammon, S., 2015. Sport tourism finding its place?. In Landscapes of leisure (pp. 110-122).
Palgrave Macmillan, London.
Giampiccoli, A., Lee, S. S. and Nauright, J., 2015. Destination South Africa: Comparing global
sports mega-events and recurring localised sports events in South Africa for tourism and
economic development. Current Issues in Tourism. 18(3). pp.229-248.
Higham, J., 2018. Sport tourism development. Channel view publications.
Hinch, T. and Holt, N. L., 2017. Sustaining places and participatory sport tourism
events. Journal of Sustainable Tourism. 25(8). pp.1084-1099.
Hudson, S. and Hudson, L., 2015. Winter sport tourism. Goodfellow Publishers, Oxford.
Kim, W. and et. al., 2015. Evaluating the perceived social impacts of hosting large-scale sport
tourism events: Scale development and validation. Tourism management. 48. pp.21-32.
Kirkup, N. and Sutherland, M., 2017. Exploring the relationships between motivation,
attachment and loyalty within sport event tourism. Current Issues in Tourism. 20(1).
pp.7-14.
Mackellar, J. and Nisbet, S., 2017. Sport events and integrated destination development. Current
Issues in Tourism. 20(13). pp.1320-1335.
Mackellar, J., 2015. Determinants of business engagement with regional sport events. European
Sport Management Quarterly. 15(1). pp.7-26.
Melo, R. and Sobry, C. eds., 2017. Sport Tourism: New Challenges in a Globalized World.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Roberts, K., 2015. The business of leisure: Tourism, sport, events and other leisure industries.
Macmillan International Higher Education.
Taks, M., Chalip, L. and Green, B. C., 2015. Impacts and strategic outcomes from non-mega
sport events for local communities. European sport management quarterly. 15(1). pp.1-
6.
Ulvnes, A. M. and Solberg, H. A., 2016. Can major sport events attract tourists? A study of
media information and explicit memory. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and
Tourism. 16(2). pp.143-157.
Wäsche, H., 2015. Interorganizational cooperation in sport tourism: A social network
analysis. Sport Management Review. 18(4). pp.542-554.
Wise, N. and Harris, J. eds., 2017. Sport, events, tourism and regeneration. Taylor & Francis.
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