APRIL 2018

Sports tourism gains momentum in Chiang Mai

The northern powerhouse hosts some of Thailand’s most popular sports tourism events, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year.

Sports tourism has become a buzz-word in recent years and with reason. The benefits of sports tourism aren’t just limited to revenue creation – they also extend to wider society, helping to build and bridge communities, increase public health and support local businesses.

The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the number of large-scale sporting events around Thailand, many of which take place in Chiang Mai. The cooler climate and a natural environment that lends itself perfectly to various kinds of races, combined with excellent connectivity and world-class facilities, make the northern part of Thailand the perfect place to host sporting events. The region’s rich cultural heritage also serves as a secondary attraction.

Sports tourism has long been on the agenda of the Thai authorities who regularly support large scale events and push for Thailand to attract even bigger and more high profile events. The Asean Tourism Forum, which took place in Chiang Mai in January this year highlighted the northern part of Thailand as an iconic travel destination. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said, “Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second largest city and the economic engine of northern Thailand and remains one of the Kingdom’s must-visit destinations.

“However, Chiang Mai maintains its charming traditions and is still known for its lovely Lanna temples and family friendly attractions. Chiang Mai’s travel trade continues to expand its product offering, diversifying recently into adrenaline-based adventure tourism and gastronomy tourism to name just a few activities.”

During the Thailand Travel Mart in Chiang Mai in June 2017, General Tanasak Patimapragorn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand also pledged the Government’s support of and commitment to travel and tourism in the region.

Indeed, Chiang Mai has hosted an increasing number of high profile sporting events in recent years, including the popular annual Muang Thai Chiang Mai Marathon, which took place on Christmas Eve 2017, and Lanna Challenge, the 142 kilometres friendly bicycling event taking participants on the picturesque route from Chiang Mai to Chiang Dao and back again.

2018 will also bring several exciting sporting events to Chiang Mai, including Chiang Mai Golf Festival which takes place in May and June 2018, Hangdong-Nfe Mini Marathon on 6 May 2018, the Singha Songkran Chiang Mai Night Run on 13 April 2018, and Chiang Mai Half Marathon on 23 December 2018 to name but a few.

The Sponsorship Experts are committed to growing and supporting the sporting industry in Chiang Mai and elsewhere. We offer a number of sponsorship and partnership marketing opportunities for some of the country’s most popular sports tourism events.

For more information, see www.paulpoole.co.th/opportunities.

Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. is an independent marketing consultancy based in Bangkok, Thailand specialising in commercial sponsorship and partnership marketing, working with both rights holders and brands - acting as a catalyst by bringing them together and maximising the relationship.

We have packaged, sold and managed sponsorship and partnership opportunities for a wide range of rights holders and worked with many of the world’s leading brands to source and engage the right sponsorships and partnerships for them to maximise.



Please contact us for more information: Tel./Fax: +66 2622 0605 – 7 Email: info@paulpoole.co.th