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Be a
sport!
Immense tourism
potential of sports comes into focus.
Sports has a
universal appeal that traverses all cultural, geographical and
class barriers, uniting people across the world. The Olympics
movement is a classic case as how sports can unite nations
with different ideologies. In last two decades, tourism
potential of sports has come into focus. Initiated sports
theme parks, cruises, sports facilities to resorts, sporting
events and sports museums are new tourist
attractions.
Sports Tourism International Council
(STIC) has been formed for developing the sports tourism
profession. Its purpose is to establish a professional
association for sports tourism by bringing together tourism
and sports organisations, groups and other related sectors.
India is also a member of this budding body.
There is
an immense potential for a greater interaction between sports
and tourism. According to the council, the market share of
sports tourism can grow up to be 32% of the total tourism
market, which represents a very substantial amount of revenue
considering tourism on a global basis. The activity can play a
vital role in promoting domestic, national, international
friendship and understanding among people and
communities.
The
council, in co-operation with its educational partners, has
announced the establishment of a Certification Program in
Sports Tourism Management. The course is validated by the CSM
Institute of Graduate Studies and recognised by the council
for the status of 'Certified Sports Tourism
Manager'.
In India, the popularity of adventure and
sports tourism has definitely picked up. Efforts are being
made to promote sports and adventure activities. Nazar
Futehally, D C Patel and Nandish Shah, three Mumbai-based
sports lovers, run a paragliding centre in Panchgani. They
offer three levels of paragliding courses, a week each,
certified by the French Paragliding Association.
Prahlad
Kakkar runs a diving school, off the Lakshwadeep islands, at
an initial investment of Rs. 1.5 million. He states that the
school has trained around 450 Indian divers in the last five
years. Asheesh Malaney, Wild Holidays, runs an adventure
travel operation, Natural Mystics. It is looking forward to
tie up with international travel companies. However, travel
industry in India complains of official apathy and
indifference at government level when it comes to promoting
major sport events in the country. The thought of getting any
mileage either in terms of image building or luring visitors
from events ranging from sporting championships does not
strike the Department of Tourism (DoT), they say. The
department claims that it is seriously promoting sports
tourism.
On the other hand, the state governments of
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and more in North as well as
North-East are trying their best to take advantage of the
natural settings for attracting sports enthusiasts. Other
states such as Kerala and Goa too are tapping the potential of
sports tourism through water sports. Maharashtra government
has also initiated an action-plan to promote this new brand of
tourism. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation
(MTDC) has let out part of the Girgaum Chowpatty to Drishti
Adventure Sports for the development and operation of water
sports complex with facilities for exciting sports
activities.
Mumbaities
and also the tourists coming to the metro will get a chance to
try out jet-riding, kayaking, water skiing, sailing,
parasailing, rowing, jet boat riding and windsurfing. A joy
ride on a speed boat or jet boat shouldn't cost more than Rs
25.
The sports facilities will be segmented into
adventure water sports and joy rides. In the joyride section
the complex proposes to set up Fishermen's Cruise, Bay Cruise,
Sunset Cruise and the Moonlight Cruise. The rates won't be
more than Rs. 60 per person even on holidays.
There is
no second opinion over the fact that the idea of marketing
sporting events to attract tourists has a great potential. You
throw in for adventure sports, and it can prove to be a
winning combination for the country in search of international
tourists. The investment flow and inadequate infrastructure
remain a hurdle.
Ski
Training Programme for adventure lovers
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