Eurosport has confirmed it will sponsor the sports tourism programme at World Travel Market 2012

WTM has championed the cause of sports tourism for a number of years, and there is a strong focus on the sector at this year’s WTM, following on from London hosting the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Reed Travel Exhibitions director World Travel Market, Simon Press, said: “Eurosport’s continued support gives our Sports Tourism programme additional kudos.

“The media is a big influence in promoting tourism to host destinations of high-profile sporting events.”

The sports tourism programme, sponsored by Eurosport, starts on the first day of WTM, Monday November 5th, at 15:00 with ‘Tourism and the Olympic Games 2012 – A Review’ which will look at the impact the London 2012 Games has had on London’s and the UK’s tourism industry.

“The World Travel Market today plays an important role in bringing key players and influencers from sport and tourism together under one roof for the exchange of ideas and practices, as well as offering excellent networking opportunities,” said the Eurosport Group’s global commercial director, Olivier Fisch.

Speakers include European Tour Operators Association Tom Jenkins, who has been an outspoken critic of the impact the Olympic Games has had on tourism for host cities arguing that tourists stay away in the build-up, during and aftermath of the event.

UKinbound chief executive Mary Rance shares her thoughts on the impact of the London games in the session which takes place in Platinum Suite 4 at ExCeL – London.

The major sporting event theme continues on Wednesday November 7th with ‘Optimising the Tourism Benefits of Major Event for Host Nations’ which will ask what the major right holders (such as the International Olympic Committee and FIFA) should be doing to help deliver the potential tourism benefits.

VisitBritain chief executive Sandie Dawe will review the help she received from the IOC.

Professor Geoffrey Lipman from the chair of DeHaan Institute’s Advisory Board will chair the event, which takes place on Wednesday November 7th at 15:30 in Platinum Suite 3.

The final session in the Sports Tourism programme looks at adventure tourism.

The ‘Future for Activity, Adventure and Sports Tourism’ panel of speakers includes;

• Xola Consulting chief executive Caroline Heyniger.
• The Adventure Travel Trade Association vice president Chris Chesak.
• Wilderness Scotland director Paul Easto.

It takes place on Tuesday November 6th at 14:00 in South Gallery Rooms 23 & 24.

Reed Travel Exhibitions, Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market said: “WTM, the leading global event for the travel industry, is ideally positioned to bring together destinations, specialist operators, trade bodies and superstars with a business interest in this multi-billion pound sector that is sports tourism.”