A Study On Sport Event Tourism

The thesis, which is founded on several subjects such as tourism, economics, management, psychology and so on, studies a series of problems focusing on Sport Event Tourism (SET), including the concept, classification and features of SET, the present situation of foreign and domestic SET, the existing problems and developing trend of SET in China, the motives and behavioral characteristics of sport event tourists, the distribution and exploitation of SET resources, the sport event planning, the marketing and management of SET. The studying methods are as follows: literature search, system analysis, qualitative and quantitative analysis and case study. The thesis is divided into seven chapters:The first chapter is introduction. This part explains the reason for choosing SET as research subject and states the theoretical and practical significance of this study. Thereafter the paper reviews the foreign and domestic SET-related literature and indicates the studying methods, content and theoretical basis of research.The second chapter is a general survey of SET. First, the concept of 'SET' is defined as: aggregate of phenomena and relations caused by non-settlers' travel and temporary stay for the reason of visiting or participating in sport events. Then, the paper states the three categories (i.e. Sport Festival Tourism, Sport Game Tourism and Sport Convention & Exhibition Tourism) of SET and the features of SET activities. Last, the paper discusses the present situation of foreign and domestic SET, points out the existing problems (i.e. non-equilibrium of the geographical distribution of SET activities, duplicate subjects of SET activities, the lack of famous brand and the government's over-intervening, etc.) and forecasts the developing trend of SET in China.The next three chapters are the main body of the thesis. These three parts study SET subject (i.e. sport event tourists), SET object (i.e. SET resources) and SET medium (i.e. tourism industry) respectively in the SET research framework which the paper builds up.The third chapter firstly defines 'sport event tourist' as: person who leaves his or her residence temporarily and heads for another place for the reason of visiting orparticipating in a sport event. Then, the paper discusses sport event tourists' motives concerning health, culture, sociality, economy, etc. Next, the paper studies the behavioral characteristics of three types of sport event tourists at a general level. Last, the paper demonstrates the behavioral characteristics of sport event tourists by using the case of tourism-related behaviors of fans who follow the University of Florida (USA) football team (the Gators), which are the research results of foreign scholars.The fourth chapter firstly defines 'sport event tourism resources' as: tourism resources whose attraction is based on sport events. Then, using 2001 China Sport Tourism Activity Scheme issued by China Tourism Bureau as an example, the paper investigates the stock and distribution of sport event tourism resources according to three economic zones (i.e. eastern China, central China and western China). Next, the paper designs 'sport event tourism resources market evaluation model tree' from the angle of tourists. After that, the paper discusses the exploitation of sport event tourism resources. Last, the paper studies the sport event planning from six aspects (i.e. theme, activity, atmosphere, time and place, marketing and management).The fifth chapter firstly applies experience marketing to SET marketing from an experience economy perspective and brings forward SET experience marketing mix (5Es)—experience, environment, event, engaging and effect. Then, the paper probes into SET management from three angles of government, market and medium organization. It is believed that the functions of government will constantly change with the development of SET and the expansion of government's knowledge on managing market economy. The paper holds the view that the SET management needs specialization and standardization and management should obey the basic rules of market economy. It is also suggested that the medium organization should be divorced from government gradually and operate on its own.The sixth chapter is case study. Weifang International Kite Festival is selected as a case for in-depth study through which the paper endeavours to integrate theories with practice.The last chapter is conclusion. This part summarizes the content of the thesis and puts forward some problems which need further research.