Integrated strategies, unique products and adaptability to tourism trends vital

Integrated strategies for niche tourism products and services that are adaptable to changing market conditions are critical for sustainable growth, said Nikhil Treebhoohun, Head of the Trade Section of the Special Advisory Services Division at the Commonwealth Secretariat. But he noted that these strategies must be in line with a country’s national development that involves co-ordination and collaboration among government ministries, as well as the private sector to ensure success.

He was addressing 150 participants at the opening of the First Commonwealth Conference on Sport Tourism in Sabah, Malaysia, on 13 May 2008, organised by the Commonwealth Tourism Centre. It was attended by a number of experts and policy-makers, including Trinidad and Tobago’s Tourism Minister Joseph Ross, Zambia’s Minister of Sport, Youth and Child Development Gabriel Namulambe, and its Deputy Minister of Tourism and Natural Resources, Todd Stewart Chilembo.

In his presentation on the viability of sport tourism among small island developing states, Mr Treebhoohun pointed out the need to monitor trends in the tourism industry, which is influenced by the global socio-economic and political environments, including terrorism, infectious diseases and climate change and the concerns over carbon emissions through air travel.

“A major threat faced by many of the remote small island developing states is the growing importance of carbon emissions and the campaign in developed countries to reduce the carbon footprints. Therefore, sustainable development is not an option – it is a necessity,” he emphasised.

In outlining the potential for sport tourism in the small island developing states of the Commonwealth, Mr Treebhoohun said these states can capitalise on their natural geographical attractions and cultural uniqueness to attract visitors. Many of them can offer facilities such as surfing, sailing and deep sea fishing. Tournaments, sports training programmes and activity holidays such as scuba diving, snorkelling and canoeing can be promoted in these island states. However, there is a need for cost-effective planning of sport tourism infrastructure to avoid any waste of resources.

“Regional games hold a potential for the luring of tourists from nearby destinations. These small island developing states can develop their infrastructure capacities over time in line with the pace of tourism growth. Therefore, careful planning through a cost-benefit analysis is needed to justify public spending on these infrastructure projects in order that they provide a return on investment.”

He underscored Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma’s point in a Foreword to the conference programme that a country’s decision to invest in sport tourism must be weighed against other competing claims on limited resources and be designed to bring the maximum benefit to the maximum number of people.

The Secretariat provides technical assistance to small island developing states and landlocked countries to create an environment that enhances competitiveness and facilitates sustainable development of tourism. This includes assistance in drawing up tourism marketing and promotion strategies, strengthening linkages between tourism and related industries and development of human resources. So far Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and South Africa have benefited from the Secretariat’s technical assistance in tourism.

Other speakers at the Sabah conference included Professor Leo Jago of Victoria University, Australia, and Professor James Higham, University of Otago, New Zealand. Delegates comprised tourism, sport and events management representatives from both Commonwealth and non-Commonwealth countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Brunei Darussalam, Cyprus, Ghana, Kenya, Malaysia, Mozambique, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, The Philippines and The Netherlands.

Secretariat Links:

• Special Advisory Services

Related Websites:

• First Commonwealth Conference on Sports Tourism