Page 50 - Connect 2024-25

Sports Tourism In India:

Enriching The Sports Experience

Brijesh H Dasani, PGDM 2

The emergence of league games such as Pro Kabaddi
League, Indian Super League, Ultimate Kho-Kho
League, and several others has led to an unforeseen
surge in sports tourism in India within the past ten years.
The popularity of these leagues has increased fans of the
games. Still, they have also brought in many domestic
and foreign visitors, which has increased the demand
for Indian sports because the popularity of several
league games has grown. Along with the infusion of
interest in India due to sports, there are a variety of fan-
based armies creating chances for both Indians and India’s sports tourism industry was
foreign players. The opportunities that these players are estimated to be worth $11 billion in 2023
receiving in India are also drawing in foreign viewers. and is projected to increase to around $53
The best example of this can be found in BHARAT ARMY, billion by 2033 That amounts to a 17.1% yearly
which used to travel to different sports events where India growth rate. By 2032, there will be 213.3 million
competes, including the Olympics. A few other teams sports tourists visiting India, up from 37.2 million
that have gained a lot of support from fans are the Bhari in 2022. Active sports tourism has the largest market
Paltan for the Pune team in the Pro Kabaddi League, share overall based on the type of sports tourism.
the U mandali for the Mumbai team, and Whistle Podu However, the Indian government has recently begun to
Army for Chennai Super Kings. promote nostalgic sports like tug of war, kabaddi, and
Travel, marketing, hospitality, fan interaction, the event jallikattu, which are thought to be a new trend among
industry, and many other industries are all part of the international tourists even though the number of visits
sports ecosystem that supports the growth of sports is still relatively modest. The reason for the growth can
tourism in India. These industries are necessary for the be related to the increased tendency of younger adults
seamless operation of any sporting event. People are and millennials to watch popular games, while older
now far more inclined to engage in non-cricket sports- generations are increasingly drawn to nostalgia game
related activities. Stakeholders have taken into account events. Active sports also involve competitions that draw
the fact that people are now much more willing to sizable international attendance. Throughout the past
join in sports-related activities outside of cricket. The five years, the Indian government has been aggressively
fledgling Indian sports tourism industry is making every pursuing measures to enhance sports tourism. The
effort to give guests the greatest possible experience. government has been actively involved in adopting the
Startups are attempting to combine sports tourism with majority of the appropriate actions to ensure that the
regional tourism so that visitors can see the games size of the Indian sports market grows shortly, whether
during scheduled times and visit other destinations on it is through the development of infrastructure, the
their itinerary at different times. This is anticipated to distribution of cash, etc. This comprises the Mission
boost the demand for sports in India. Olympics 2024, Target Olympics Schemes (TOPS), the
Khelo India Program to promote sports culture at the

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