India is developing sports tourism, which is emerging as an influential travel segment. While India was previously known for cultural tourism, a decade ago nobody would have expected sports to attract foreign tourists. Sports tourism in India is growing at 10-12% annually and includes both passive tourism like spectating events and active tourism like participating in activities. Cricket remains very popular but other sports like adventure sports and traditional Indian sports are also attracting tourists. However, challenges like a lack of infrastructure and difficulties obtaining visas must be addressed to further develop sports tourism in India.

1. SPORTS
TOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
IN INDIA
By - Suhas Rajaguru

2. India has always been known to attract tourists with its rich cultural heritage, food and architectural marvels.
A decade ago, nobody would have thought that sports could lure foreign tourists to India.
Sports tourism, which is fast emerging as the most influential segment within the world travel industry, is
finally making a wave in India as well.
India has rich resource to cultivate the sports tourism industry, sports tourism history says inbound tourism
have expanded after IPL, also stated that IPL have lead other Indian traditional sports to create their
audience.
1. Active Sports Tourism i.e. Travel for the purpose of participating in a sport, leisure or recreational activity.
2. Passive Sports Tourism i.e. Travel for the purpose of visiting a sport, leisure or recreational activity or an
event.
Introduction

3. Benefits : Economic Development / Experience / Product Development / Community Relationships / Creates
Youth Opportunity and Entertainment / Generates Constructive Image for the Destination / Infrastructure.
Classification :
• Hard and Soft Sports Tourism (Olympic Games, FIFA World Cup, F1 Grand Prix and regional events such as
NASCAR Sprint Cup or signing up for leisure interests. Hiking, skiing and canoeing can be described as the
soft sports tourism)
• Nostalgia Sports Tourism ( Regional or traditional sports / awareness creating sports )
• Inbound Sports & Out bound Sports tourism

4. Cricket : Face of sports Tourism in India
IPL was & is playing vital role in the growth of
sports tourism in India. 2011 World cup
shade have decorated the most celebrating
sport of India, cemented the brand in the
industry.
Adventure Sports : Scuba, Skiing, paragliding
etc..
Traditional sports in India have created trend
by attracting foreign tourists in large number.
Following are few of them.
 Indian Martial Arts
 Bull Surfing
 Kambala
 Jalli kattu
 Bullock cart Race
 Camel Race
Kambala
Indian Martial Arts
Camel racing
Jallikattu

5. GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
India has seen a surge in sports tourism in recent years. According to a recently conducted market studies,
sports tourism has been growing at 10-12% in India which is a manifestation of the ever-growing enthusiasm
of India sports fan to visit a destination with the primary objective of attending a sport event. These
destinations are both domestic and international. As expected, cricket remains the primary passion of
Indians.
In India, presently, there are 52 National Sports Federations receiving funds from the Government for their
activities.

6. CHALLENGES
 Lack of infrastructure tops the list of challenges faced
by most tour operators in the country while promoting
Sports Tourism.
 Most travel operators feel that the government should
cooperate more resourcefully for them to showcase
India’s true potential as a sports destination.
 The media coverage during 2010 Commonwealth
Games exposed India’s ‘eleventh hour’ planning
policies, a number of event management companies
face difficulties in scheduling their sporting events due
to this problem.
 India has always been a ‘last minute’ market because
of which there is lot of pressure on every aspect which
in turn affects our functioning. Getting visas for
travelers becomes difficult then.
 Another major problem faced by industry players is of
touting and ambush marketing.
 We bring with us the passion for the game and we also
have a compatible clientele but a major problem is
that the sponsors hike ticket rates for petty profits
which often results in underselling of tickets.

7. OPPORTUNITIES
 Increased media exposure of sporting events over the last decade
has raised the profile of many sports, and although TV coverage is
better than at any time in the past.
 An increasing number of sports fans want to experience live events.
 The media also has the ability to make national and international
icons of sporting stars, thereby generating greater demand, as fans
want to see their sporting idols “in the flesh”.
 CNTO Sports Tourism in India Sporting events themselves are being
made increasingly appealing to attend, with greater levels of
comfort, and other events – such as festivals - being created around
them (such as horse racing weekends, boating regattas, etc).
 Low-cost regional airlines (and more affordable long haul flights),
are also driving demand for sporting events as flights become more
convenient, more regular, and of course more affordable.
Overall, the sports tourism niche market is expected to grow annually
at around 6% for the next five years.
Future of sports tourism Scope and future of sports tourism is endless
in India because of its diverse topography and climatic condition. Enjoy
on land and water, under water and in air whatsoever form of
adventure sports in India. Future of sports tourism and adventure
sports in India is very bright.