Sports tourism refers to travel that involves attending or participating in sports events, competitions, or activities. It has become increasingly popular worldwide, with travelers seeking opportunities to engage in or witness sporting events while exploring new destinations. Sports tourism encompasses a wide range of activities, including:
- Spectator Sports: Travelers attend major sporting events as spectators, such as the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, Grand Slam tennis tournaments, Formula One races, and marathons. Spectator sports tourism often involves booking tickets, accommodations, and transportation to attend these events.
- Adventure Sports: Travelers participate in adventure sports and outdoor activities while exploring new destinations. This may include activities such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing, scuba diving, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and whitewater rafting. Adventure sports tourism destinations often offer specialized facilities, equipment rentals, and guided tours.
- Golf Tourism: Golf enthusiasts travel to destinations known for their world-class golf courses and resorts. Popular golf tourism destinations include Scotland, Ireland, Spain, Portugal, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Golf tourism typically involves booking tee times, accommodations at golf resorts, and golf-related excursions.
- Ecotourism and Wildlife Tourism: Travelers engage in ecotourism and wildlife tourism activities that involve observing or interacting with wildlife and natural habitats. This may include activities such as safari tours, birdwatching, whale watching, gorilla trekking, and visiting national parks or conservation areas known for their biodiversity.
- Cultural Sports: Travelers immerse themselves in the sports culture of a destination by attending local sporting events, festivals, or traditional games. This may include activities such as attending soccer matches, cricket matches, rugby games, baseball games, or participating in traditional sports or martial arts practices.
- Health and Wellness Tourism: Travelers seek destinations offering health and wellness activities, such as yoga retreats, wellness spas, meditation retreats, and fitness camps. Health and wellness tourism often includes activities aimed at improving physical fitness, mental well-being, and relaxation.
- Sports Events and Festivals: Travelers attend sports events, festivals, and competitions held in various destinations. This may include events such as cycling races, triathlons, marathons, tennis tournaments, golf tournaments, and equestrian events.
Sports tourism contributes significantly to local economies by generating revenue for accommodation providers, restaurants, transportation services, and tour operators. It also promotes cultural exchange, community engagement, and physical activity while fostering a sense of camaraderie among sports enthusiasts from around the world.
Sports Tourism in Kenya – Explore the home of champions that has produced world’s best athletes:
The Kenyan athletes are known around the world as the best long-distance runners. Year in year out athletes from different countries do their best to measure up and still the dominance of Kenyans continues….
Kenya is your number one sports destination.
Having a look at the most successful sports events with a huge following around the country, one thing is evident… they are just not events, they are festivals. The Maralal Camel Derby, The Lamu Donkey Race, The Lewa Safari Marathon, The Kenya Open, Bullfighting in Kakamega, The Rusinga boat race, Driftwood 7s, Prinsloo 7s and Safari Sevens …all have more than just the sport to offer. You travel to experience the place, the culture and food and have fun while enjoying the sporting events.
Maralal Camel derby race is an internationally acclaimed event which aims to raise funds to empower the local communities. Lewa Marathon is dubbed one of the world’s toughest marathons with the aim to raise funds towards conservancy and supporting local community projects. Safari sevens on the other hand is a major sport activity in the Kenyan calendar as local and international fans mingle.
BELOW WE CELEBRATE SOME OF THE GREATEST KENYAN ATHLETES OF ALL TIME:
✅ELIUD KIPCHOGE – He has won 12 of the 13 marathons he’s entered during his running career. He is an Olympic marathon champion and World Marathon record holder. Remembered for #INEOSChallege.
✅BRIGID JEPSCHESCHIR KOSGEI – Winner of the 2018 and 2019 Chicago Marathons and the 2019 London Marathon.
✅PAUL KIBII TERGAT – First Kenyan ever to set the world record in the Marathon from 2003 to 2007, with a time of 2:04:55.
✅DAVID LEKUTA RUDISHA – World record holder in the 800m that he set at the London 2012 Olympics on 9th August 2012. He is the first and only person in the world to ever run under 1:41 for the event.
✅EZEKIEL KEMBOI CHEBOI – One of the 10 greatest Kenyan athletes of all time. He is the only athlete in the world who has won four consecutive world championships.
✅KIPCHOGE HEZEKIAH KEINO – He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist.
✅PAMELA JELIMO – Was also the first Kenyan to win the Golden League Jackpot worth one million US dollars. She was awarded the IAAF Revelation of the Year Award and the 2008 Kenyan Sportswoman of the Year Award.
✅VIVIAN JEPKEMOI CHERUIYOT – She is the 2012 Laureus Female Athlete of the Year. Reigning Olympic 5000m champion. She also holds the Kenyan and Commonwealth records for the 5000m, and also for the 10,000m.
✅SAMUEL KAMAU WANJIRU (THE LATE) – Was the first Kenyan to win an Olympic Marathon gold at the 2008 Olympics games in Beijing, China.
✅JANETH JEPKOSGEI BUSIENEI – She made history as the first Kenyan woman to win the world 800m title at 2007 in Osaka, Japan.
✅JULIUS YEGO – “Mr. YouTube”. He is the African record and Commonwealth record holder in javelin throw.
✅CATHERINE NYAMBURA NDEREBA “Catherine the Great” – In 2008, a Chicago Tribune sportswriter described her as the greatest women’s marathoner of all time.