Kick-off in Madrid: 3rd World Sports Tourism Congress Set to Unite Global Leaders
Madrid, Spain - The third edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC) is set to kick off on November 28 and 29 at the historic Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Organised by UN Tourism and the Government of the Region of Madrid, the two-day congress will bring together leading figures from the worlds of sport and tourism to share innovative ideas, best practices, and knowledge on the subject.
The theme of this year's congress, "Tourism and Sport Creating a Lasting Legacy for Destinations," aims to explore the economic impact, contribution to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and strategies to promote destinations through sport events and sponsorships. Sports Tourism has the potential to drive social, economic, and environmental initiatives, accelerate development, and create a lasting positive legacy on destinations.
The event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and personal testimonials from key figures in the Sports Tourism industry and UN Tourism Ambassadors for Sustainable Tourism. The agenda includes topics such as the integration of Sports Tourism into government agendas, the importance of sport infrastructure afterlife, key success factors for hosting sports events, effective sponsorship strategies, and the growing trend of hosting amateur sports events.
This year's edition counts on the expertise of leading organizations such as the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), the Global Sports Innovation Center, and more. The World Sports Tourism Congress has gained significant attention since its inaugural edition in Lloret de Mar in 2021 and the second edition in Zadar, Croatia, in 2023.
By examining the impact of Sports Tourism on driving economic growth and social development, the congress aims to raise awareness about the vital role it plays in promoting destinations to larger and more diverse audiences. The event will also explore its connections to health and well-being, significant benefits of hosting sports events, and the future prospects of this expanding sector.
Representatives from the world of sport and tourism are expected to participate, share their experiences, and learn from one another as they explore innovative ideas for promoting Sports Tourism.