Draft Sports Tourism Policy imminent

May 03, 2017 Sports

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Guyana to become Caribbean Sports Tourism Destination by 2020

Guyana is closer than ever to finally putting into action a Sports Tourism Policy having

recognised the huge potential for Sports Tourism in the Land of Many Waters. Being championed by the Department of Tourism in the Ministry of Business, the Sports Tourism Policy would provide a framework within which the Sports Tourism sector could develop and thrive.
This all came into perspective on Saturday last when all the major stakeholders gathered at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston to participate in a historic seminar/workshop held under the theme, ‘Improving Sports through Tourism; growing Tourism through Sports’.
Attending were persons from Sports Associations, Tourism and other businesses, the Media, the Customs Department, the GDF and Police.
Coordinated by Mr. Donald Sinclair, Director General of Tourism with the full backing of Minister of Business, Mr. Dominic Gaskin, last Saturday’s event heralded the beginning of positive things to come with the ultimate aim of realising the vision of Guyana being a major Caribbean Sports Tourism Destination by 2020.
Speaking with Kaieteur Sport about the event, Sinclair first expressed gratitude to all the participants, presenters and main speaker, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira for helping to make the first and significant step a reality.
Sinclair, who has a wealth of experience in the tourism industry, notes that Sports Tourism has been called ‘the sleeping giant of the Tourism market’ with revenues expected to exceed US$ 90 billion in 2017 globally, more than doubling the US$ 46.5 earned in 2005.
”The growth potential of this industry has certainly not escaped the notice of sister Caribbean states, some of which make significant budgetary allocations to organise and promote sporting events that generate travel to those countries. In that way tourism is enhanced and sporting performance is positively impacted.”

Asked to define sports tourism, Sinclair said, “Simply defined, Sports Tourism means travel that is sport related or sporting activity that involves travel which should be paid for by the sports tourists themselves.”
Among the main components that would drive its success, Sinclair posited would be infrastructure, marketing, event planning and the role of government.
”In the words of the keynote speaker “Sporting infrastructure drives Sports Tourism.” Guyana’s success as a Sports Tourism destination will depend in large measure upon the provision of sporting facilities of an international standard. There can be no compromise with quality if Guyana hopes to attract sporting enthusiasts in a wide range of sporting disciplines.”
He informed that in Sports Tourism Sports Marketing is at the same time destination marketing.
”After the appropriate collaboration and consultation with all the relevant authorities (Tourism, Security, Customs and Immigration, Health etc.), Sports organisations are then ready to market and promote their event in the targeted markets so as to attract visits from players, officials, spectators, families and fans.”
With regards to event planning, Sinclair noted that because Sports Tourism combines Sports and Tourism the planning of a Sports Tourism event requires interface and collaboration of both Sports and Tourism entities.
This he emphasised can take the form of a Sports Tourism Desk or Commission or designated officer in either the Ministry responsible for Sports or that for Tourism. At that level especially the marketing, promotion and hosting aspects of Sports Tourism events can be coordinated well in advance of the particular event.

”Essentially the role of Government in the development of a Sports Tourism sector is to enable and facilitate. In discharging such a function the provision of budgetary support for the construction and / or upgrade of sporting facilities, for marketing and promotional activity overseas and for the attendance by Guyanese teams and individuals at international events as sports destination ambassadors all assume critical importance.”
What is also vital Sinclair informed, is having a Sports Tourism product that must meet international standards, he sought to share some elements that comprise the Sports Tourism product:
– A sporting event that is professionally organised and executed in a secure and welcoming environment
– Sporting facilities that meet an international standard
– Accommodation that is of good standard
– Opportunity offered to players, officials and supporters for tours, visits or leisure activities that acquaint visitors with the local attractions, cuisine and special sites in the sporting destination
– Sports museums or other memorials that project and highlight the national heritage in the field of sports
– Receptive activities that make visitors feel specially welcomed
A Sports Tourism Calendar is another essential instrument that will both reflect and encourage forward planning on the part of Sports organisations and Tourism entities, Sinclair informed.
A number of Sports Tourism events that would be hosted here were also highlighted and these include; Caribbean Schoolboys Boxing Championships (May), South American 10K & Golden Mile (December), Pan-Am Indoor Hockey Festival (October), Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival (December), Caribbean Motor Racing Championships (November), Goodwill Caribbean Swim Meet (August), Junior Caribbean Squash Championships (July), South America Junior Track & Field Championships (June), International Shooting Competition (October), Blind Cricket International (August).
Projections and time frame
Drafting of Sports Tourism Policy (Department of Tourism in collaboration with relevant entities) – 2017
Establishment of Sports Tourism Coordinating Unit – 2017
Annual Award for the most successful Sports Tourism event – 2017
Discipline of Sports Tourism introduced at University of Guyana – 2018
Inter-campus Sports Tourism event (s) – 2018
Inauguration of Sports Museum – 2018

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