Abstract
The theoretical part of this article presents the meaning of sporting events for the tourism industry and the importance of sporting events at a small scale, as well as heritage sporting events for sustainable development of tourist destinations. The literature review shows that there is a clear research gap with respect to the analysis of economic and social impacts of small-scale events. The empirical research was conducted by the method of a diagnostic survey during three sporting events of different rank, which took place in Poland and represented various sports disciplines—running, horse riding, and swimming. A total of 2098 respondents took part in the study, including sports tourists and resident-hosts who took part in the studied events. The aim of the study was to examine whether there is a link between the rank of a sporting event, the development of tourism, and the impact on the host city’s image. The results of the study showed that the highest additional tourism activity in the city on the occasion of participation in an event as an athlete or supporter was undertaken by the participants of the lowest ranked sporting event (Half-Marathon). They also gave the highest rating of the positive impact of a sporting event on the host city’s image. The hosts also rated the highest social impact from the Half-Marathon (i.e., increased sense of pride, social integration, and local identity). Events related to the heritage of the sport of a given region and other smaller-scale sporting events, including mass sports and recreation events (e.g., marathons and other running events), provide an alternative to homogenized, commercial, and very expensive sporting events in the world and may contribute to the sustainable development of tourist regions. The research results show that big social potential lies in the organization of small-scale sports events. The reflections contained in this article may inspire the organization of small-scale sporting events and the continued care for sporting events related to the cultural heritage of a given region. Events of this kind successfully impact tourist revival and improvement of the regions’ image.
Highlights
Post-modern sporting activity has increased tourist mobility among the societies of almost all continents on an unprecedented scale, and sport tourism—especially in the form of participation of tourists in sporting events—has gained in popularity
The aim of the study was to examine whether there is a link between the rank of a sporting event and the development of tourism and the impact on the host city’s image
The results of the study showed that the highest additional tourism activity in the city on the occasion of participation in an event as an athlete or supporter was undertaken by the participants of the lowest ranked sporting event (Half-Marathon)
Summary
Post-modern sporting activity has increased tourist mobility among the societies of almost all continents on an unprecedented scale, and sport tourism—especially in the form of participation of tourists in sporting events—has gained in popularity. In today’s world, sport plays an increasingly important social and cultural role and sport tourism should be seen as an autonomous phenomenon of our times, reflecting current trends, needs, and lifestyles. Never before has sport tourism enjoyed such popularity and the sporting and tourist activities of society have become a mega-trend in the post-modern world. The popularity of sporting events among fans and athletes has led them to play a leading role in place marketing—promotion of cities, countries, and tourist regions
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