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Promotional opportunities
For the first time, the routes of Tam Ky were experienced by "runners" - athletes participating in the Tam Ky Discovery marathon. Gathering over 3,000 people in one area is no easy feat for a locality aiming to boost tourism.
Mr. Nguyen Hong Lai, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Tam Ky City, affirmed that beyond a sporting event, Tamky Discovery aims for more than just a promotional activity to stimulate tourism. Tourists can run, sightsee, experience, and explore the scenery and specialties of Tam Ky City. In June, Tam Ky became a "hot search" - a destination that ranked among the most searched on social media.
“By participating in this tournament, the organizers hope that athletes can escape the urban environment with its skyscrapers and come to a peaceful place where their souls can be healed. Surrounded by rustic scenery, Tam Ky has not lost its inherent simple beauty.”
Promoting the region through sporting events is becoming a trend in the development of sports tourism in many localities. In the photo: Athletes participating in the Nong Son Discovery Run. Photo: TT.BTV
Along the race route, athletes can admire the sunrise over the beach, breathe in the fresh air on the tranquil river, and gaze at the exquisite paintings meticulously crafted by skilled artists. These picturesque scenes will restore genuine and peaceful emotions to the soul,” – as the organizers poetically introduced.
Meanwhile, in its inaugural year, the "Discover Nong Son" race in 2022 attracted 800 athletes from both Vietnam and abroad. Beyond exploring Nong Son through the race, visitors could choose to stay in Dai Binh village by camping, sleeping in tents, or staying in homestays with local families, enjoying many unique cultural and artistic activities as part of the Dai Binh Culture and Tourism Festival. Building on that success, the Dai Binh Culture and Tourism Week in 2023 continued with the second marathon race in celebration of World Elephant Conservation Day.
Developing sports tourism
Promoting tourism through running has become a trend, with many regions choosing to develop tourism. With a large number of participating athletes, the demand for accommodation also increases. Not to mention, related services will also have the opportunity to boom. The tourism appeal of sporting events is immense.
Ms. Huynh Thi Phuong, an athlete who participated in the recent Tamky Discovery marathon, said that tourism during sporting events is very different from regular tourism in terms of experiences. With the excitement of competition combined with interaction between the scenery and services, the experience becomes more engaging and leaves a lasting impression on tourists.
If combined effectively, promoting tourism through sporting events can be highly successful. This is also the assessment of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which identifies sports tourism as a promising option for local areas.
According to the UNWTO, sports tourism, which involves tourists participating in or observing competitive sporting events, is "one of the fastest-growing sectors" and plays a significant role in the tourism industry. Revenue from sports tourism has reached enormous figures.
Specifically, according to calculations from the UNWTO, at the recent Da Nang Marathon, the average person is expected to spend over $2,200 USD for a 4-day stay, not including other expenses such as personal shopping, BIB fees, and related expenses. With the large number of people flocking to the city at that time, 92% traveled by air, and over 80% used hotel accommodations, generating significant revenue for the city during the event.
Mr. Van Ba Son, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in areas stimulating tourism development, organizing marathons is an opportunity to promote and attract tourists to the locality. Not only marathons, but competitions in many other sports will also create experiences related to the burgeoning form of sports tourism. With its advantageous terrain and landscape, Quang Nam has ample room for developing sports tourism.
