Sports tourism is an exciting industry that offers a range of experiences for travelers. Whether it’s attending a weekend tournament, flying with sports equipment or watching your hometown team play an away game, there are countless ways to get involved in sports tourism. Behind the scenes, cities and states are spending billions of dollars to attract events and fans to their towns. While big cities often get the spotlight for major events like the Super Bowl, smaller markets also compete for thousands of other events every year.
Recent studies have identified four markets as being under the radar when it comes to winning event bids and providing a major league experience. These four markets include Salem, Virginia, Houston, Texas, Greensboro, North Carolina, and Louisville, Kentucky. Despite their smaller size and resources compared to big cities like New York or Los Angeles, these markets are considered by industry insiders to be underrated in terms of hosting sports events.
Salem in Virginia is preparing to host its 100th NCAA championship. Houston has recently seen an increase in event wins due to its growing tourism market. Greensboro in North Carolina is living up to its reputation as “Tournament Town” by hosting a variety of events. Louisville in Kentucky is seeing an increase in events coinciding with upgraded venues. All four cities have been able to secure funding from both public and private sources to make their bids more competitive and attractive to event organizers.
The pursuit of major events is an important aspect of sports tourism and has economic benefits for cities and states. By attracting large numbers of visitors during major sporting events like the Olympics or World Cup soccer tournament, these small towns can boost their local economies by increasing demand for hotels, restaurants and shopping centers. Moreover, many local businesses benefit from increased foot traffic during these events leading to higher sales revenue.
In conclusion, sports tourism offers a range of opportunities for travelers looking for unique experiences while also bringing economic benefits