World Sport Destination Expo :  The Global Market Place for Sport Tourism

For the first time ever, the world’s Sport Tourism industry will be able to meet and conduct business under one roof and in a ground breaking new exhibition.  World Sport Destination Expo will take place from 5th-9th July 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg at the heart of one of the biggest and most important events that the world will ever stage – the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The inter-linked importance of sport, sporting events and travel and tourism will be showcased at World Sport Destination Expo. The most sought after sporting destinations, hotels, resorts, specialist tour and event organizers, sporting bid committees, worldwide media and elite buyers will now have their own platform to showcase their services and facilities to the industry’s key buyers.

“This a must attend event for those companies involved in the travel and tourism market-place, and for those interested in assuming a market share in the US$600 billion a year sports tourism industry.  The top buyers and sellers in the industry will meet to conduct business, make new contacts, drive sales and un-lock the potential of this hugely profitable market.

“The World Cup is about more, much more, than 90 minutes of football” said Danny Jordaan, CEO 2010 FIFA World CupTM Organising Committee. “This World Cup could unite South Africa more than any other event has done. The World Cup gives an unprecedented opportunity to nation-build, to brand our country and to leave a lasting legacy.”

“Whether a city or a region is eager to win the rights to host major sporting events or a hotel or resort is offering sporting facilities, organizations are urged to participate in this must-attend exhibition”

http://www.worldsportdestinationexpo.com

For further information, please contact:

Melanie Maier
Communications Director
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Chris Frost                                                                             
Sales & Marketing Director
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Additional Notes:

Background Information – Johannesburg Sandton Convention Centre:

 
As well as hosting a total of 15 World Cup matches including the opening ceremony, and the opening and final matches - Johannesburg will be the world’s business and media hub for the 4 weeks of the World Cup.

As well as playing host to The World Sport Destination Expo, the Sandton Convention Centre will also be home to the FIFA World Congress.

It is ideally located within close proximity to the FIFA Media Centre – the hub for over 22 000 media.

Background Information – Sports Tourism

 
In 2008 the world’s travel and tourism industry generated in the region of US$5,890 billion in economic activity.  Sports tourism is at the heart of this growth.

The economies of cities, regions and entire countries are increasingly reliant on attracting sports tourism as it is proven that visitors engaged in sports related tourism are high-spending, stay longer than other tourist categories and stimulate other forms of tourism.  Their direct benefit to a destination is cash – their indirect benefit can be years of follow-on tourists. 

Sport tourism is now a tool to achieve many things – among which is the generation of significant revenues and the creation of thousands of new jobs.

World Sport Destination Expo takes place from 5th-9th July 2010 at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa.