Integrating sport and tourism: a review of regional policies in England

Abstract

Various authors have long advocated linking sport and tourism. This paper seeks to move from such advocacy by examining the attitudes and practices of policy makers in England through a review of the strategy documents of the agencies involved (Sports Council, Regional Councils for Sport and Recreation, English Tourist Board, Regional Tourist Boards). Initial examination of the sport–tourism literature and strategy statements enabled the formulation of a Policy Area Matrix for Sport and Tourism which was then used as the background for the review. The review revealed an increasing amount of sport–tourism activity which was not matched by any significant liaison amongst the agencies responsible for sport and tourism policies. The paper concludes by suggesting that ideas associated with organisational culture and the policy process may offer explanations for this lack of liaison and that further investigation in this area is essential to achieving an integrated framework for sport and tourism. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.