Stadium goals over staycations? Sports tourism is the new travel flex
Travel isn't just a trend anymore, it's become a lifeline for many. And if you're not travelling yourself, chances are you're scrolling through someone else's feed who just did. One of the hottest trends in travel right now? Sports tourism.Indian fans are no longer content with cheering from their sofas, they're boarding flights and rooting for their players from the stands, IRL. And it's not just about cricket anymore. The passion spills beyond the 22 yards to racetracks and green courts.advertisementFrom solo trips, staycations, and workcations to luxury stays, people are now ready to spend more on travel - be it quick getaways or long luxury escapes.Sofas to stadiums: Rise of sports tourism
The ongoing Formula 1 season and the upcoming Wimbledon 2025 have recently led to a surge in visa queries.Wimbledon 2025, scheduled in London from June 30 to July 13, has sparked a 28 per cent rise in UK visa application queries, according to data by Atlys, a visa processing firm.Meanwhile, Formula 1 is doing more than revving up engines: it's driving tourism and visa queries for countries like Monaco, Italy, Japan, and the UK. Spread across countries, the data shows a rise from 18 to 30 per cent as people plan itineraries not just for the race but for immersive experiences too.
Formula 1 is driving a surge in visa queries and travel. (Photo: AFP)
Beyond stadiums and courtsWhile sport is fuelling more tourism, it's no longer limited to just the day of the event. Most fans are now keen to extend their trips, to explore, unwind, and experience more. According to a survey by Expedia Group, a US-based travel company, 3 in 5 travellers plan detailed itineraries that include destinations beyond the host city.This hints at a major shift in the behavioural patterns of tourists. 'From what we see in visa search trends, sports have become one of the most influential forces shaping global mobility. It's no longer just about attending a match or a race, it's about being part of something bigger, something unforgettable,' says Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys.
Monaco offers a great travel experience for tourists who come for Formula 1 (Photo: Unsplash)
While the trend is gaining serious momentum now, it actually began a little earlier. Ahead of the Paris Olympics in 2024, there was a 60 per cent increase in visa applications from India, along with a 50 per cent rise in sports tourism-related enquiries and a 45 per cent jump in group visa applications.Even during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, overall bookings to the city rose by nearly 45 per cent.Sports tourism isn't just having its moment, it's having an entire season. 'It represents 10 per cent of global tourism spending and is projected to reach $1.3 trillion by 2032. With the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the upcoming Olympics in Italy and Los Angeles, momentum is only picking up,' according to the survey.- EndsMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
India's 2036 Olympic Dream: IOC Pauses Bidding Process To Figure Out 'Appropriate' Time To Elect Host
A decision on India's bid for the 2036 Olympics is set to take longer than expected as the International Olympic Committee's new President Kirsty Coventry on Thursday announced a "pause" on the entire process and set up a working group to figure out the "appropriate time" to identify a future host. In an online press conference after taking over as the first woman and the first African President of the IOC, the former Olympic champion swimmer said the consensus among the members was to reassess the process. Earlier, a decision on the bid was expected next year. "There was an overwhelming support from the IOC members for a pause to be done and a review of the future host election process and we will be setting up a working group to look into this," the 41-year-old Zimbabwean said after chairing her maiden executive board meeting in Lausanne. "(This is) for two main reasons. Firstly, members want to be engaged more in the process and secondly there was a very big discussion on when should the next host be awarded," he added in her opening remarks after the two-day meeting. Coventry said the executive board members felt that the experience of already decided future hosts -- Los Angles (2028 Summer Games), Brisbane (2032 Summer Games), French Alps (2030 Winter Games) -- need to be studied before proceeding on future proposals. "So there was a lot of discussion on when is the appropriate time to elect a future host. And also how we should be selecting a future host," she added referring to the relatively shorter "lead-up time" that French Alps got due to awarding of the rights only last year. India submitted a Letter of Intent to host the 2036 Games in October last year. A delegation, comprising high-ranking officials led by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao, is scheduled to be in Lausanne for informal talks on the issue next month. Coventry said that visit will proceed as scheduled. "We want all interested parties to be a part of this pause and reflect and of this review. I am aware of the delegation coming next weekend that will continue. They might be the first interested party for us to ask a couple of questions and to better understand from them. "There is not going to be a specific pause on that but just on the entire process," she said. "We need to ensure that we have more membership engagement and also look at the timing. When is the most appropriate time, when is the best time, when is the most effective time (to decide an Olympic host). "What is the most effective way we are not going to overburden any of the stakeholders," she explained. She, however, acknowledged that the global south (comprising Africa, the subcontinent and parts of Latin America) has been under-represented in the Olympic host movement. "I think the Global South, in terms of host cities, is not really represented at all. But my job is to ensure that policies are in place to allow anyone who has the ability to host the Games," she said.
New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
IOC chief Coventry ‘pauses' 2036 Olympic bid process, India meeting on
CHENNAI: Days after new International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry took charge, an Indian delegation is set to reach Lausanne for a meeting to discuss its 2036 Olympics bid. The new IOC president said as much during a webinar after two days of Pause and Reflect meeting of the Executive Board that ended on Thursday. "I am aware that an Indian delegation will be here next week for a meeting," she told the media on Thursday. However, as for selecting the hosts, Coventry said the process would be re-evaluated. It was earlier believed that the 2036 Olympic host would be announced next year but it might take time. She said that after discussing with the IOC members, she felt that some kind of reassessment is required and paused the bidding process for the time being. This will affect all those host nations trying to secure the 2036 Games. As of now there are about eight to 10 bids including those by Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, the Brisbane Olympic Games was announced in 2021, on the sidelines of the Tokyo Games. This was the first host city under the new flexible approach for electing a host city through consultations and dialogues. This also encouraged using existing venues and making the Games and the bid more cost-effective and sustainable. On the other hand, the French Alps 2030 announcement was delayed until July 2024. Coventry, on the upcoming visit of the Indian delegation, said: 'They might be the first interested party for us to ask a couple of questions and to better understand from them. There won't be a specific pause on that but just on the entire process.' She felt the need to ensure that there is more membership engagement and also look at the timing: 'When is the most appropriate time, when is the best time, when is the most effective time,' she said. A working group is set to be formed to look into this. The bid is now expected to run for another two-three years. The India delegation or coordination committee for the 2036 Olympic Games will meet the staff of the Future Host Commission around July 1. Interestingly, though there is no official confirmation (with the IOC) about the host city, going by the developments, Ahmedabad is set to be announced soon. The coordination committee has representatives from the Gujarat government. It is learnt that Gujarat state sports minister along with his principal secretary are part of the delegation. The Ahmedabad Municipal commissioner and the Gujarat's urban development ministry principal secretary too are among the members. From the Union sports ministry's side, newly-appointed secretary sports, Hari Ranjan Rao, will attend the meeting. IOA president PT Usha, Chief Executive Officer Raghuram Iyer and office executive too will be travelling to Lausanne. The IOC had earlier said that all communications have to come through the IOA. However, things are not going well within the IOA. The IOA's majority of the executive council members are yet to reconcile with the IOA president after they revolted over the appointment of the CEO in January last year. Since then, there has been very little interaction between Usha and the majority of the EC members. Because of this, there has been no official announcement of a bid committee which is considered essential for the bidding process. The IOC had earlier insisted that a strong National Olympic Committee is a must for a strong bid. The Letter of Intent was submitted without a host city name in October. With this India had entered the next phase, that of continuous dialogue. This means, according to IOC's 'The Approach to Olympic Hosts Election', 'it is a non-edition specific discussion; no commitment of either side; no obligation for the IOC to invite any Interested Parties to Targeted Dialogues'. The IOC had earlier told this daily that as of now, there are 'interested parties from four continents discussing with the IOC in an informal and non-committal way about hosting a future edition of the Olympic Games.'
India Gazette
2 hours ago
- India Gazette
French Rugby Union's Christophe Reigt terms RPL as
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 26 (ANI): There has been a buzz, and heads have been turning in the world of rugby. All thanks to the unique nature of the competition that is the Rugby Premier League (RPL) - a first-ever franchise-based Rugby Sevens tournament in the world. The who's who from the rugby fraternity are part of this revolutionary movement, and keeping a close eye on proceedings was Christophe Reigt, General Manager, French Rugby Federation. Interestingly, France's men's rugby sevens team had won the Olympic Gold medal during the Paris Olympics, with Christophe being a part of the contingent. 'For us, at the French Rugby Federation, it was very important to come and see the Rugby Premier League in India, because it is a very new product of Rugby Sevens, and we were keen to find out what is happening,' said Christophe, who is considered to be one of the foremost thinkers in the game as quoted from a press release from RPL. 'What's special in the RPL is that the league is trying a new format. And there is time for recovery for the players too, as they are playing one game a day. This is a very new thing in Rugby Sevens, and it is very interesting for the people who are involved to watch this unfold. The franchise model is new, and it is different for sure,' the Frenchman explained. The RPL has produced some scintillating performances from the legends such as Akuila Rokolisoa and Jerry Tuwai. And in Christophe's book, this is one of the best things about the tournament, as there is high-quality rugby on display. This interestingly has been possible only after World Rugby put aside time on their calendar, so that the best of the best could make their way to India for the inaugural edition of the Rugby Premier League. 'It is very interesting to see that in India that there is a movement that Rugby India and Sports are anchoring to develop Rugby Sevens. It is a very good idea to have international stars and legends showcase the high level of the sport through the Rugby Premier League. It is very important and an interesting way of developing Indian Rugby. It is a very interesting try,' he added. Whilst some of the big international names have been front and centre in terms of the standout performances, the Indian players have also stepped up with some season-defining moments. One of the best performers in fact has been Javed Hussain for the Hyderabad Heroes, who is among the players with the most number of tries in the tournament. 'For the Indian players, they are able to play with the best international players, and have a better understanding of the level and calibre of rugby played at the highest levels. And they can share a lot of information on and off the field as well during the course of the month, which is very important.' 'This is a first step for the Indian players wherein they are more in touch with high-level rugby, and maybe through the year, in the future, the Indian players can get more experiences like the RPL, which will help their development,' he added. Reflecting on his time at the RPL and the tournament overall, Christophe said, 'From my trip, hopefully, I can take back some new ideas. It isn't that only the traditionally strong rugby-playing nations will have the best ideas. A good and new idea can from Indian Rugby as well.' (ANI)
