Special Interest Tourism

Special Interest Tourism & Sochi 14- Aritro Dasgupta1Special Interest TourismSpecial Interest Tourism (SIT) involves group or individual tours by people who wish to develop certain interests & visit sites/places connected with specific subject The members in the group tend to have same / similar hobbies / interestsSet of activities which differentiate the tourists 2Classification of SITActive- sports, cycling, hiking, skiing, sailingSocial- youth tours, clubbing Educational- cooking, language schools Discovery- Antarctic exploring, Galapagos expeditionsHobbies- wine tasting, garden tours, flower shows3Classification of SITChallenge/ Excitement- climbing Everest, trekkingRelaxation- cruising, canal boats, campingHealth & Therapy- spa holidays, medical tours4Factors that Opened up SIT MarketDevelopment of winter sportsIncrease in paid holidays Social changes leading to cash rich / time poor consumers seeking better quality / stimulating holidaysDevelopment in specialist equipment & systemsRegeneration of urban areas increasing their appeal 5Case of Sochi Winter Olympics6Winter OlympicsStarted 1924, held every 2 yearsAfter 1992, next held in 1994 to shift the cycle away from years when Summer Olympics were heldIncludes all major sporting events held during winter months across countries where temperatures remain cold for much of the yearMountains necessary for conducting 7Sochi 2014Held in February 2014First time held in RussiaSochi lies on Black Sea coast Sochi unusual choice for Russia; a country that remains frigid for much of the year; Sochi experiences relatively sub-tropical conditionsPresence of Caucasus mountain range First time Winter Olympics held on seaside 8Sochi 2014Sochi geographically surrounded by freedom movements in Chechnya & Dagestan as well has hostile nation of GeorgiaPolitical reasons played major role in Sochis bid success; became centrepeice of new RussiaAlso held amidst backdrop of Climate Change meaning artificial snow had to be hauled in US$ 51 billion spent makes it the most expensive Olympic Games ever (Vancouver 2010 cost US4 7 billion)9Disciplines Alpine SkiingBiathlonBobsleighCross Country SkiingCurlingFigure SkatingFreestyle SkiingIce Hockey10DisciplinesLugeNordic CombinedShort Track speed skatingSkeletonSki JumpingSnowboardingSpeed skating 11Alpine Skiing

12Biathlon

13Curling

14Figure Skating

15Ice Hockey

16Snowboarding

17Speed Skating

18Ski Jumping

19Bobsleigh

20Luge

21Skeleton

22Major Challenges Met by Sochi TeamTransportation of millions of tons of snowFlattening of surfaces at parts of the Caucasus to enable railway lines Building of infrastructure- downhill & flat Development of Sochi International Airport 23Failures on Tourism SideRecord breaking cost of construction created unsustainable costs for the localsEnvironmental wreckage of the Caucasus beltBureaucracy meant Visa applications took longer time & greater amount of money Sochi surrounded on all sides as a terrorism targetLeaked stories of cronyism put people off 24Failures on Tourism SideBiggest drawback being a comparative lack of snowTravel time inconvenient (especially track between Sochi & Kransaya Polyana)25Legacy?Winter Paralympics to be held within 2 weeks of end of OlympicsFormula 1 track for Russia Grand Prix 14 near the siteOne of the proposed football stadiums for 2018 World Cup 26Major Ethical Dilemma Should major sporting events be held outside the traditional axis of North America & western Europe on logic of spread? OrShould they continue in the traditional axis to reduce costs spiraling out of control & ensure better legacy? 27