Exploring Sports Tourism in a Regional City in Aotearoa New Zealand
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Authors
Rathnayaka, Eranjika Kaushalya
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Degree
Master of Applied Management
Grantor
Southern Institute of Technology
Date
2024
Supervisors
Halstead, Paulette
Type
Masters Dissertation
Ngā Upoko Tukutuku (Māori subject headings)
Keyword
Sports tourism
Regional City
Aotearoa
Factors
Further development
Regional City
Aotearoa
Factors
Further development
ANZSRC Field of Research Code (2020)
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Abstract
This study aimed to explore sports tourism in a regional city in Aotearoa New Zealand, by identifying the advantages and disadvantages of sports tourism, exploring the factors affecting sports tourism, and examining the ways a regional city in Aotearoa New Zealand could further develop and support sports tourism. This exploratory research project used an interpretivism philosophy and case study design to explore sports tourism from stakeholders’ perspectives in the regional city. Qualitative data was gathered from nine semi-structured interviews with stakeholders representing three motels, three restaurants, two sports venues, and one government organisation and content analysis with four websites that provide information about the regional city. The results show that sports tourism increases the occupancy rate and revenue of the industry businesses, and sports tourism helps promote the regional city. The city’s sports venues and event-based sports events have been identified as the main factors affecting the city’s sports tourism industry. Also, concerning how the city could further develop sports tourism, the study revealed the necessity of a wider range of offers and facilities for sports tourists and a common platform to manage overlapping sports events. Results conclude that the city can potentially enhance the sports tourism industry. This study focused on one regional city; in future studies, it is recommended to research several cities in different topographical zones to provide an understanding of how the sports tourism industry operates in different economic, cultural, and geographical contexts.
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CC BY-NC Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International