Recently, several of our staff attended the annual Sports Event Symposium, hosted by The National Association of Sports Commissions in Denver. Learning that the sports travel industry will be less impacted by the downturn in the economy than other sectors was one highlight of the show (and there were many).
Don Schumacher, executive director, provided numbers in his opening address that sports travel is more insulated than other segments of the travel industry, and much more than other industries. His explanation, while somewhat simple, makes perfect sense: People will get Janie to her soccer match. They may have to sacrifice certain things to get there, but sports event participation is a growing past-time that is an important facet of life in America.
It's easy to say that Brandi Chastain kicked the door down in 1999 and brought soccer back to popularity in America, but in reality, the U.S. women's team winning the World Cup was only part of the equation. The country was primed and ready for a sport that encouraged youth to get active, didn't require expensive equipment, and had relatively easy-to-follow rules. more....