IMPACTS OF SPORT TOURISM ON TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN LAHTI

Abstract

These days, in the developed world, sport tourism fast becoming a lleisure experience. As much as it is popular, it has also become a very important economic activity as well as a marketing tool to boost a destination’s tourism potentials. Current research has proven that sport and tourism contributes about 1 to 2% of the gross domestic products of industrialized economies. Thus from the above statistics, it is no doubt that sport and tourism has great impact on a destination, it can altogether change the outlook of a destination. This research focused on how a sporting event can dramatically change the tourism potential of a destination. Also, this research took a look on the impacts this event has on the host community and also detailed information on the concept of sport tourism, the different types it development, growth and future trends of sport tourism.

For this research work, the qualitative method of analyzing data was use and the semi structure form of interview was also use to analyze the impact of the winter games on tourism development in Lahti. Organizers and managers of important sporting institutions were interviewed and their opinions were analyzed to come up with findings and recommendations for further development of tourism in this region.

This research showed that sports tourism in Lahti greatly contributes to tourism development in the region. Despite the fact that the event last only for three to four days, tourism business still make huge profit during this days. A good idea will be for the organizers to combine this event with another event such as a music festival or a trade fair so as to attract tourists to stay longer in the region.