A NEW WAVE OF OUTBOUND SPORTS TOURISM

The love for sports tourism is growing at very fast pace, it’s been proven in recent times during various international sports events. A new wave of outbound sports tourism is propelled by younger generation of Indian travelers. This trend got verified during the last Football World Cup and will get enhanced with upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, taking place in June in the West Indies and the USA. Cricket-crazy Indians are eager to witness their team battle it out on the international stage, and are already making travel plans to be a part of the action.

Factors driving this trend:

1. Indians are looking for lasting experiences.
2. It’s all about a blend of travel and sports passion, in a live environment.
3. Attractive packaging including tickets of sporting events by Indian agents is playing as catalyst.
4. Mega-events like the Olympics, Football World Cups, Cricket World Cups, F1 and tennis are currently big attractions.

What are Indian travelers looking for?

Travelers seek not just live matches, but complete experiences that include meet-and-greets with legends, stadium tours, and immersive cultural experiences in the host destination. This trend presents a lucrative opportunity for the travel and tourism industry.

Imagine an Indian family traveling to Jamaica for the T20 Cricket World Cup. Their itinerary could include not just prime seats to the matches, but also a visit to the Bob Marley Museum, a day at the Dunn's River Falls, and a chance to savour some jerk chicken. This creates a well-rounded experience that goes beyond just the sport, fostering a deeper connection with the host country.

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The growing interest is reflected by the FIFA World Cup and the T20 World Cup that are consistently seeing a significant number of Indian fans purchasing tickets. In fact, for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, India ranked among the top buyers despite their national team did even not qualify. This passion will further extend to the T20 World Cup as well.

The tour operators are anticipating a close to 100% increase in inquiries compared to previous World Cups. The agents are proposing unique propositions:

1. Allowing fans to experience the host countries beyond the cricket pitch. Going beyond just match tickets, packaging includes sightseeing tours, cultural experiences, and local hospitality etc.
2. Consider partnerships with cricket boards or players to offer exclusive experiences like meet-and-greets or behind-the-scenes access. These unique offerings will be a major draw for die-hard fans.
3. Millennials and Gen Z are the key trend drivers. Most packages have been tailored to their taste.

No doubt the cricket world is abuzz with excitement as the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 gears up to take place this June in the West Indies and the USA. With 20 teams vying for glory across 55 matches, this global spectacle is bound to attract legions of passionate fans. With a record number of teams, exciting new venues like the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, and the potential for India-Pakistan clashes, the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a global sporting extravaganza unlike any other. Cricket fans around the world, and especially in India, are gearing up for an unforgettable summer.