Sports Tourism is defined as a specific travel outside of the usual environment for either passive or active involvement in competitive sport where sport is the prime motivational reason for travel and the touristic or leisure element may act to reinforce the overall experience. Need to actively or passively participate in any sporting event, but don’t have an in-house event planner? Let us put our extensive sports tourism and travel planning expertise to work for you! Contact us today.

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Sports tourism can be separated into two distinct fields: sports participation travel and sports spectatorial travel. Sports participation travel is a category within sports tourism where a person or persons travels to a select recreation center, or sports complex, to actively participate in a sporting event. Sports spectatorial travel occurs when a person or persons travels to a select destination for the purpose of, well, spectating. Instead of being an active and willing participant, they are simply mere patrons viewing the action.

 

Sports tourism is a rapidly growing niche in the travel or tourism industry. Sports and physical activities are a part of the increasing variety of leisure activities and pastimes that are becoming popular in the world. This thriving leisure culture has led to the evolution of a sports tourism industry that has begun to earn an international reputation. Soccer, athletics, basketball, tennis, golf and skiing are only some of the most predominant and popular sports that attract onlookers and participants of all ages.  Sports tourism is open to everyone: amateurs, fans, professional athletes and their trainers and coaches who come for a range of activities from training camps through friendship games to international championship competitions. All have a common desire – to enjoy high quality, healthy sports activities in an atmosphere of pleasure and sportsmanship.

 

Kenya is a renowned sporting nation. Athletics is Kenya’s forte as numerous runners have earned the country medals at the grandest stages. Sports is now a significant part of the tourism industry in Kenya, with athletes visiting from countries in Europe, Asia, the USA and other parts of the world to train or conduct philanthropic activities. Kenya is home to some of high altitude areas training camps in Iten, a short distance from Eldoret. Sport personality, Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, visited Kenya for charity work and so did a tennis star, Serena Williams. Recently also Bayern Munich’s coach, Pep Guardiola, was in the country for holiday.

 

Kenya hosts many marathons throughout the year in locations as diverse as the highlands, the beach and the wilderness. Maralal Camel derby race is an internationally acclaimed event which aims to raise funds to empower the local communities. Proceeds from this activity is normally used to build water points. Maralal Camel race draws local and international tourists and even international media. The annual Lewa Marathon comes to mind as a major sporting activity drawing participants from all over the world. It is dubbed one of the world’s toughest marathons. The aim of the race is to raise funds towards conservancy and supporting local community projects.

 

In Nairobi Safari Sevens is hosted – a rugby tournament featuring top international teams. This is a major sport activity in the Kenyan calendar as local and international fans mingle. Well known countries within the rugby circuit are represented during this tournament. The Kenyan coast is a paradise for beach sports such as deep-sea fishing and water surfing in the Indian Ocean. The coast has the best hotels which offer scuba diving and snorkeling to their guests.

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Whether you are interested in domestic or international sporting event; a camel derby in Maralal, Kenya or an international marathon in Boston, USA, our sports partner company Tracque Elite Athlete Management (T.E.A.M) is always poised and ready to assist with making your event registration and travel coordination. Your trip will be managed by a dedicated sports travel coordinator who will plan and negotiate group airfares, hotel or resort accommodations and ground transportation on your behalf. We will handle all your travel arrangements while adhering to your budget requirements.

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Need to actively or passively participate in any sporting event, but don’t have an in-house event planner? Let us put our extensive sports tourism and travel planning expertise to work for you! Contact us today.