Sport Tourism Literature Research Articles

Localism and attitude, ‘it’s all good’: a surf tourist’s story analysis of simultaneous contradictory prosocial and anti-social interactions at an off-limits place

ABSTRACT Localism is framed as intimidatory anti-social behaviour designed to persuade tourists that a surf spot is off-limits. Hitherto, cultural studies have combined a top-down intersectionality lens with a priori Western-centric negativity to explain the consequences for those who ignore the warnings. Thus, there is a paucity of studies explaining why surfers experience nothing of consequence in these off-limits places. A critically balanced and complex analysis of localism is emerging in sport tourism literature. However, generalizations that entire places are off-limits for surf tourists prevail. Accordingly, in this innovative accidental ethnography of localism at a categorically off-limits surf spot on O‘ahu’s South Shore, I adopt a talk-story methodology to provide a micro-level grounded analysis of empirical observations explaining the prevalence and consequences of the constant contradictory choice between anti-social and prosocial behaviours that locals and tourists make in every interaction. Findings draw attention to the anti-social and prosocial behaviours performed simultaneously by locals and tourists, and the experiences of tourists with similar intersectionality identities, but distinctly different attitudes. The article concludes by asking the reader to consider the complexity of contradictory choices, before making a moral judgement on performances of localism and deciding whether and why places are off-limits.

A quantitative scoping review of information search behaviour in sport tourism

ABSTRACT The first touchpoint for potential tourists is the information shared by the destination. Although information search behaviour is critical and has been reviewed from a general tourism perspective, less is known about sport tourism. With social media becoming the predominant source of information, it is necessary to determine how information is searched. Therefore, the purpose of this scoping literature review was to clarify the extent of peer-reviewed research on information search behaviour in sport tourism literature. The PRISMA extension for scoping review protocol was followed. Twenty-nine peer-reviewed journal articles published in English were examined. The findings showed that the first discussion was published in 1992, and most of the articles focused on active sport tourism. The majority of the information sources were offline; however, the usage of social media has been increasing drastically in recent times. Moreover, this study found that sport tourists acquire information to mitigate risk, which varies depending on the athletic activities they engage in at the destination. The results of this study benefit not only the potential tourists but also the tourism sector by enabling them to strengthen their destination marketing strategies. Additionally, this study introduces three propositions for future studies.

Water Sport Tourists’ Hesitation in Decision-Making during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Effect of Destination Image

Understanding the effect of risk factors on tourists’ hesitation in choosing a destination is vital for successful management in tourism, especially in the pandemic era. Based on protection motivation theory, this study investigated the impact of sport tourists’ perceived risk associated with COVID-19 on their hesitation to choose a tourist destination in the context of water sport tourism. Further, we examined whether the relationship changes according to the levels of tourists’ destination image. Data from a survey of water sport tourists (n = 312) were analyzed using structural equation modeling and Hayes PROCESS macro with bootstrapping procedures. Findings of this research empirically demonstrated that risk factors influence hesitation in choosing a destination. Furthermore, the moderating effect of destination image on the influences of perceived risks on hesitation was identified. The study’s theoretical and practical contributions to the sport tourism literature are also discussed.

From shades of grey to Web of Science: a systematic review of surf tourism research in international journals (2011–2020)

ABSTRACT Previous research outlined the genesis of a new body of surf tourism research based on a wide array of gray and published literature (Martin, S. A., & Assenov, I. (2012). The genesis of a new body of sport tourism literature: A systematic review of surf tourism research (1997–2011). Journal of Sport and Tourism, 17(4), 257–287). The aim of this paper is to further investigate the development of the field through an evidence-based informetric analysis of international journal articles listed in Web of Science or Scopus databases. Employing a systematic review of journal papers published from 2011 to 2020, the study addresses the previous gray literature problem of accessibility and eligibility criteria for citation. Findings are drawn from explicit and tangential studies which capture an up-to-date overview of the evolution of surf tourism research. The study identifies active journals, authors, field locations, and leading areas of research, suggesting that the field has entered a period of ‘academic professionalization’. A bibliography of 96 journal articles presents academics and readers with a corpus of accessible research.

How does adventure sport tourism enhance well-being? A conceptual model

ABSTRACT Sport tourism literature has paid limited attention to the psychological well-being benefits derived from participating in this form of tourism. This is especially the case for adventure sport tourism, which is characterised by travel to a destination to participate in an adventure sport event, such as competitive surfing or mountain biking. Through an analysis of the contemporary literature regarding adventure sport, tourism, and psychological well-being, we propose a conceptual model of the psychological processes underlying well-being outcomes for adventure sport tourists. The conceptual model explains how adventure sport tourism participation affects hedonic and eudaimonic psychological well-being via the satisfaction of basic psychological needs (autonomy, competence, relatedness) and nature connectedness. We argue that this conceptual model has the potential to advance knowledge in relation to the theory, practice, and design of adventure sport tourism. We outline research propositions emanating from the conceptual model and directions for future research on adventure sport tourism and psychological well-being.

Professional sports fans' interests in hosting an international visitor at a game: evidence for 'sports hosts'

A growing number of sport enthusiasts travel overseas to attend professional sports games. In parallel, fans of local professional leagues seek unique social experiences when attending games. Sport tourism literature suggests that social interactions between hosts and guests provide a unique experience for both, however, knowledge about local sports fans' interests in interacting with international travellers is lacking. This research explored the interests of fans hosting international tourists during a regular-season game. Qualitative content analysis was performed on survey responses from 1,222 Australian Football League (AFL) fans interested in hosting an international traveller at a game. Four main factors emerged: connection with people (75.5%), being an AFL game promoter (42.6%), fans' emotional attachment (34.2%), and providing the visitor a distinctive experience (27.3%). This study provides evidence on the emergence of a 'sport host' as a sporting experience consumer. Implications for sport tourism and fan engagement researchers and practitioners are discussed.

Professional sports fans' interests in hosting an international visitor at a game: evidence for 'sports hosts'

A growing number of sport enthusiasts travel overseas to attend professional sports games. In parallel, fans of local professional leagues seek unique social experiences when attending games. Sport tourism literature suggests that social interactions between hosts and guests provide a unique experience for both, however, knowledge about local sports fans' interests in interacting with international travellers is lacking. This research explored the interests of fans hosting international tourists during a regular-season game. Qualitative content analysis was performed on survey responses from 1,222 Australian Football League (AFL) fans interested in hosting an international traveller at a game. Four main factors emerged: connection with people (75.5%), being an AFL game promoter (42.6%), fans' emotional attachment (34.2%), and providing the visitor a distinctive experience (27.3%). This study provides evidence on the emergence of a 'sport host' as a sporting experience consumer. Implications for sport tourism and fan engagement researchers and practitioners are discussed.

The influence of tourist risk perceptions on travel intention to mega sporting event destinations with different levels of risk

While hosting mega sporting events brings various benefits to the host regions from the increased number of tourists, one of the main factors that deters tourists is the various types of risks associated with international travels. The sport tourism literature has highlighted terrorism risk and political instability as major concerns that impact travel intentions. This study examined and compared the influence of tourists’ risk perceptions on travel intentions across mega sporting event host destinations with different levels (i.e. apparent risks, less imminent risks, and unidentified risks) of such risks. Data were collected from 571 potential tourists via an online survey software and analyzed using a structural equation modeling technique. The results indicated that perceived terrorism risk significantly influenced the tourists’ travel intentions. Tourists’ terrorism risk perceptions toward South Korea (apparent risks) most significantly impacted their travel intentions, followed by general destinations outside of the United States (unidentified risks), while political instability was not significantly related to travel intentions. These findings offer practical implications for mega sporting event organizers.

Sport hunting and tourism in the twenty-second century: humans as the ultimate trophy

PurposeThis paper aims to address the potential of hunting humans as sport tourism activity in the twenty-second century. The paper explores past and current trends related to sport hunting, animal extinction, human violence and the normalisation of violence via fictional media. This paper paints a provocative picture of society with the aim of encouraging dialogue across the wider community regarding the challenges facing society in relation to practices related to sport hunting and tourism.Design/methodology/approachThis paper takes a scenario narrative approach in presenting potential discussion on the future of sport hunting as a tourism activity. The importance of narrative writing as a method to research is its ability in telling a story to the reader. By embracing diverse philosophical methods, this research draws on past and current trends via secondary data sources to justify the future scenario narrative.FindingsThis paper presents interesting insights into the future of sport hunting and its potential relationship to tourism. However, considering the following quote, “Yet another uncertainty is that predictions themselves can alter the future – which, of course, is part of the motivation behind futurism” (Larson, 2002, p. 5), this paper concludes with a sobering message, if previous research as well as the ideas presented here are to become a future reality, one where humans hunt each other for sport, are we content to allow this to happen? Or do we want to encourage debate to ensure we create better futures?Originality/valueThis paper offers original and novel research within the sport-tourism literature by taking a futures perspective and applying a scenario narrative approach. The paper offers original insight into attitudes towards sport hunting and its future potential, moving away from its traditions of hunting animals to hunting humans. This paper encourages debate around a taboo-subject, by drawing on a popular past-time, sport. Death is also universal, and by aligning the topic with sport and as a hunting activity, this paper is offering original approaches to addressing difficult questions that need to be asked.

Aspects influencing the commitment of endurance athletes: a tourism perspective

ABSTRACTVarious studies have been done on the sport commitment of endurance athletes who take part in events, but few have been done from the perspectives of both commitment and tourism. Such a combined approach, drawing on psychology and the social sciences, would benefit not only the endurance event but also the host destination. The Sport Commitment Model, an established model in the sport literature, is insufficient on its own to measure endurance athletes’ commitment. It should be applied in conjunction with other models and theories, such as involvement theory, and should take into account aspects such as lifestyle, event attributes and travel behaviour, whose influence on athletes’ participation specifically in endurance events has yet to be determined. To fill this gap in the sport tourism literature, an online survey aimed at endurance athletes participating in South African events was conducted in 2015. A questionnaire was distributed via South African endurance event websites and endurance sport social media. Data from 498 completed questionnaires showed that lifestyle, event attributes and travel behaviour were related positively to these athletes’ commitment. Structural equation modelling revealed that to encourage commitment, the focus should be on managing lifestyle and travel behaviour. Overall, the high mean values of the commitment factors indicated that endurance athletes are highly committed. Event organisers and marketers could use this commitment in marketing campaigns to ensure loyalty to their particular event, increase on-flow tourism from the event, spread event participation geographically, highlight the lifestyle benefits of endurance sport participation and decrease sport abandonment.

Sport, heritage, and tourism

The relationship between sport, heritage, and tourism is strong, and the breadth and depth of research that explores this relationship is significant. This collection adds to the heritage sport tourism literature by considering several new perspectives. In particular, authors have examined sport heritage as a vehicle for understanding and memorializing conflict, as a tool for both celebrating achievement and marginalizing people, as a field of dissonance that often does not conform to tourism promotion and marketing, as a topic that generates, commends, commodifies, and (sometimes) discards “living” heritage, and as a means for discovering, or imagining, genealogical roots. Ultimately, sport heritage illuminates many of the issues, challenges, and debates in heritage and heritage tourism more broadly, while also demonstrating that, through its constant making remaking, sport heritage rarely fossilizes.

Heritage sport tourism in Canada

The objective of this paper is to illustrate the opportunities and challenges of heritage sport tourism by examining (1) the Arctic Winter Games and (2) the Canadian Football League as heritage sport tourism attractions in Canada. A review of the heritage sport tourism literature provides the context for this assessment. Key opportunities were found in (1) the manifestation of sport as a meaningful form of culture; (2) sport's impact on collective identity and by extension – destination image and (3) unique connections of sport heritage to place that can be positioned for competitive advantage. The central challenges include those associated with (1) processes of globalization and (2) the fragmented nature of the heritage sport tourism industry.

Harnessing the power of football: safety-risk perceptions of sport tourists at the 2013 FIFA Confederations CupTM in Brazil

Commissioned to host the 2014 FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World CupTM tournament, Brazil was given access to a global platform which holds the power to stimulate considerable levels of tourism value. However, tourist anxiety surrounding safety and security raised questions as to whether the event could successfully achieve the host nation's diverse set of underpinned socioeconomic objectives. As a benchmark of success in this regard, Brazil was first set to host the 2013 FIFA Confederations CupTM, a prelude to the 2014 FIFA World CupTM tournament. This article investigates the constructs found to manage sport tourists' safety-risk perceptions; and examines how the interrelationships amongst these constructs can positively influence sport tourists' repeat visitation intentions as a practice that drives tourism growth. First, a mediation model regarding the interrelationships between safety-risk perception, satisfaction, and repeat visitation was synthesised from sport tourism literature. Following this, a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 187 domestic and international sport tourists attending the 2013 FIFA Confederations CupTM in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The results provided support for the mediation model, whereby tourists' decreased safety-risk perceptions directly and indirectly improved tourists' propensity to return to the host destination, with event satisfaction occupying a mediating role. Managerial implications propose that it is the responsibility of the event stakeholders to shift any short-term speculative investment in the safety and security improvements of the host destination, to investment that is more long term and sustainable in nature. In response, tourists are expected to demonstrate a greater propensity to return to the host destination, serving as a core stimulant of future tourism value.

The genesis of a new body of sport tourism literature: a systematic review of surf tourism research (1997–2011)

Surf tourism is a rapidly expanding market segment of the wider sport tourism industry and the purpose of this study is to provide an analytical interpretation of surf tourism research. Published and unpublished literature from 1997 through to 2011 was collected through searching a variety of academic databases and communicating directly with the authors themselves. A systematic review was employed to identify and analyze the types of research emerging from international journals, universities, governments, and the not-for-profit sector. The study indicates a genesis in sport tourism literature, representing a new and available body of surf tourism research. We find that this new area of research has arisen mainly from the grey literature through the works of graduate students and consultants. Surfing events, artificial surfing reefs, and the sustainability of surf sites and host communities are among the most prolific areas under discussion and key arguments include socioeconomics, coastal management, and sustainable tourism. Approximately 10% of countries in the world with coastal surfing resources have been studied, and this and other findings indicate the potential for new areas of research in domestic and international tourism. A bibliography provides 156 documentary materials compiled for the systematic review.

Service Quality Perspectives in Sport Tourism

As the range of leisure options available to the public has grown, attention has been directed to the issue of service quality and its influence on both customer acquisition and retention. This essay utilizes the literature in the areas of services marketing, tourism and service quality in an attempt to complement and enhance the existing sport tourism literature. In doing so it presents a range of concepts, models and frameworks that develop management's understanding of the multi-dimensional nature and complexities of achieving service quality in a sport tourism environment. Examples are used to relate the generic literatures to sport tourism.

Stadia tours and the power of backstage

Stadia tours arguably represent the least researched area within the sport tourism literature. Consequently this paper explores the reasons for the growth and popularity of this relatively new type of visitor attraction by suggesting its appeal is similar to non-sport related tours as outlined by Couldry's (1998) analysis of the Granada studio tour in Manchester. It is argued that the success of a stadium tour is in its ability to promise and consequently reveal the authentic backstage. Moreover it is suggested that these types of tours illustrate (by use of a case study at the Millennium Stadium: Cardiff) the growing recognition of sports stadia being salient symbols of local, national and international heritage.

A question of primary and secondary motives: revisiting and applying the sport tourism framework

The motivation(s) of the sport tourist has been a regular source of discussion within much of the sport tourism literature (Gammon and Robinson, 1997; Gibson, 1998a; Hinch and Higham, 2004; Kurtzman and Zauhar, 1995a; Standeven and De Knop, 1999). Much consideration has been paid to the interaction and influence each sport or tourism motive has upon the other. This paper discusses the complexity of combining these motives; concluding that it is unrealistic to list all the possible motivational variations, but more enlightening to suggest that a relationship exists based upon primary and secondary considerations. Using this premise, a sport tourism framework is detailed (originally outlined in 1997) which not only illustrates a tentative sport tourist typology (based upon competitiveness, recreation, activity and passivity) but also a method which organisations can utilise, in order to identify current and future sport tourism developments. Four applications of the framework are included which demonstrate its utility with regards to general, domestic, local and sport specific profiling. Lastly, it is suggested that a sport tourism index be created where countries, regions and cities can compare their current sport tourism offerings with either competitors or national/international averages.

Sport Tourism: A Critical Analysis of Research

The concept of sport related tourism has become more prominent in the last few years both as an academic field of study and an increasingly popular tourism product. The purpose of this paper is to review and critique the sport tourism literature as it stands in 1998, and to suggest a future research agenda. Disparities in the definition of sport tourism are addressed and some of the difficulties which scholars have faced in establishing a standardised definition are outlined. In answering the question why has sport tourism suddenly become so prominent, a look back at history shows that people have engaged in sport related travel for centuries. However, in the past ten years, the popularity of this form of travel has increased. Various explanations, such as the increased emphasis on health and fitness and increased use of sports events by cities to attract tourists, are examined. The question of what is known about sport tourism includes a review and critique of the literature in the three domains of sport tourism: active sport tourism, which refers to people who travel to take part in sport; event sport tourism, which refers to travel to watch a sports event; and nostalgia sport tourism, which includes visits to sports museums, famous sports venues, and sports themed cruises. The overarching conclusion from this review is that the field suffers from a lack of integration in the realms of policy, research, and education. At a policy level, there needs to be better coordination among agencies responsible for sport and those responsible for tourism. At a research level, more multi-disciplinary research is needed, particularly research which builds upon existing knowledge bases in both sport and tourism. In the realm of education, territorial contests between departments claiming tourism expertise and those claiming sport expertise need to be overcome.

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

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.