Sporting Events: Impact and Effects on the Tourism Industry

At the upcoming Social Football Summit, which will take place on November 19 and 20 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, sports tourism will be discussed in a round table attended by Andrea Onorato (Councilor for “Major Events, Sports, Tourism, and Fashion” for the Municipality of Rome) and Gianluca Caramanna (National Head of Tourism for Fratelli d’Italia and advisor to Minister Daniela Santanchè), along with representatives from Sport e Salute S.p.A. and the Lazio region. The debate will be moderated by Francesca Buttara, a consultant in institutional relations with a background in senior positions at Lega Pro.

Interest in this form of tourism has grown in recent years, given the opportunity to combine travel experiences with the practice or enjoyment of a sporting event. Naturally, the scope of these events has significant economic and social impacts. Sports tourism, in fact, stimulates the local economy, bringing in investments and creating jobs.

For instance, the city of Rome is annually drawn to high-profile sporting events: besides the matches of Roma and Lazio, fans from around the world book flights to the capital to attend the Six Nations Rugby Championship or the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. Furthermore, the Rome Marathon offers participants the chance to run the 42-kilometer course through historic monuments and main streets in the city center.

In recent years, the Municipality of Rome has decided to heavily invest in this sector, focusing significantly on event accessibility and engagement with peripheral areas to direct tourism flow and build institutional relationships with local entities. Additionally, the sustainability of these events represents one of the key priorities for the city administration, adhering to all established guidelines and standards.

On a national level, the economic impact generated by sports tourism is estimated at €7.5 billion, as highlighted in official documents published by the Ministry of Tourism on its website. This unique form of tourism, therefore, reveals its potential not only in economic and communication terms but also in territorial revitalization; it is an opportunity to immerse oneself in different cultures or explore new areas.

So, seize the moment and attend the panel to become an active part of this transformation!