With world-class facilities, modern infrastructure, renowned hospitality and value for money, Bangkok attracts hundreds of thousands of sports tourists every year.
The past decade has seen a dramatic increase in the number of large-scale sporting events around Thailand, the majority of which take place in and around Bangkok. Running races, golf tournaments, triathlons, conventions and the like not only attract thousands of participants, they also commonly attract large numbers of spectators and friends and relatives of those participating in these events.
The benefits of sports tourism are manifold; participants in sporting events are likely to arrive in the country a few days before a given event and stay after the event to recover. Sporting events are also increasingly seen as social events so it is not uncommon for an entire family or a group of friends planning a holiday around a particular event.
Authorities in Thailand are well aware of the benefits of a thriving sports tourism sector and authorities like the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS) have for several years seen the growth and support of the sector as one of its core objectives. In 2016 at the Thailand Travel Mart Plus Amazing Gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-Region held in Chiang Mai, then-Minister of Tourism and Sports, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, unveiled plans to turn Thailand into a sporting hub. “Thailand is entering the sports and tourism era, and I would like to invite the world to enjoy some of the many opportunities the kingdom can offer sport-loving tourists – whether you are enthusiastic amateurs, professionals or somewhere in between. Sports can give people a new way to enjoy and experience Thailand – playing games of golf or football with friends, taking in the scenery while cycling or running or meeting, and competing with Thai people at any of our gyms and sports centres,” Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul said. The TAT’s ‘Amazing Thailand Tourism Year 2018’ marketing campaign, which focuses on segments like sports, is a further commitment to the segment.
Indeed, 2018 will bring several high profile events to Bangkok. Taking place this past weekend was the inaugural Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok, held in conjunction with Ironman, the TAT and Thailand Tri-League. The race is designed to highlight the city’s main landmarks, including Victory Monument, King Rama V Monument, Rama VIII Bridge and Democracy Monument.
Later in the month, on 24-25 February, the Bangkok International Rugby Tens will once again draw in the crowds for two days of fun and social activities.
Then, on 15-20 April, SportAccord World Sport & Business Summit is hosting its annual event in Bangkok, bringing together rights holders, organising committees, cities, press and media, businesses and other organisations involved in the development of sport. The event is attended my more than 350 delegates from 90 international sports federations and 135 cities and regions.
Another high profile event being held in Bangkok is the annual SPIA Asia – Asia’s Sports Industry Awards and Conference, an annual two-day event help on 19-20 November 2018 that recognises and celebrates the achievements made by the sports industry.
On the more active side is the Asia Pacific Golf Summit, which will take place in Bangkok at the end of 2018. Inaugurated in 2007, the conference has grown to become one of top knowledge and business networking events for the golf industry in Asia.
The Sponsorship Experts are committed to growing and supporting the sporting industry in Bangkok and beyond. We offer a number of sponsorship and partnership marketing opportunities for some of the capitals most popular sports tourism events, including Bangkok International Rugby Tens and SPIA Asia - Asia’s Sports Industry Awards and Conference.
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.
