Latest update December 23rd, 2024 3:40 AM
We have to see sports tourism as a business – GGA head Aleem Hussain
Organisers were forced to stage the 2020 Hero Caribbean Premier League only in T and T due to the pandemic.
Kaieteur News – President of the Guyana Golf Association (GGA) Aleem Hussain said sports tourism should be seen as a business in order to combat the challenge faces by sporting organisations during this time.
Speaking at a stimulating and well attended virtual seminar on how to overcome the challenges of the Covid-19 virus in the coming year, Hussain along with several other speakers gave a variety of perspectives on how Guyana can succeed.
Hussain gave insights of how virtual sports tourism can change the way we address and promote travel; generate revenues and increase tourism awareness.
He spoke about using major sports that attract the most attention to generate online viewers at a low access cost and sharing the gross revenues with the lesser known sports. “We have to get less dependent on handouts and see sports tourism as a business that gives our sponsors a greater return on investment through revenue share, greater advertising reach, future sales and brand awareness,” he stated.
Hussain emphasized that only by working together can all sports organizations benefit and suggested that they create a sport management agency that would put on grand viewer events to put Guyana on the world stage.
Director General Donald St. Clair spoke on behalf of the Minister of Tourism, THAG and the Guyana Tourism Authority and welcomed the participants, emphasizing the importance of the month of Tourism Awareness and activities.
Michael Hall, Caribbean Premier League Tournament Director, Barbados provided great insight into the operation of the game of cricket on an international level, speaking to the challenges faced by teams, players and countries hosting events and the associated expenses as it related to compliance with covid-19 restrictions.
Assistant Treasurer of the Guyana Olympic Association, Tricia Fiedtkou related that her organization was focused on building the brand of the country, literally on the backs of athletes using advertising on uniforms and having our stars act as spokespeople for the country’s attractions.
Wayne Forde, head of Guyana Football Federation explained that the challenges of a contact sport have severely affected the manner in which they operate in the current covid guidelines. “It’s virtually impossible to conduct an activity in the circumstances we face today.”
St. Clair thanked the speakers and stated that it was the start of great ideas that he felt could propel the country in a very short time into a leadership role.
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