World Sports Tourism Congress: Tourism and sports united for sustainability

The 2nd World Sports Tourism Congress opened in Petrčane, near the central Adriatic city of Zadar, on Wednesday under the theme "Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability". It was opened by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, who said that by organising this congress Croatia recognises the importance of sound tourism development.

The two-day event, co-organised by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the Croatian Ministry of Tourism and Sport, will address several key subjects such as the economic impact of sports tourism and its contribution to the sustainable development goals from the environmental, social, and economic perspectives.

"We often point out that tourism and sports are two pillars of our international recognisability," Plenković said, adding that in the last three years of crisis the Croatian tourism sector had shown a high degree of agility and recovery.

"According to all estimates, this year we will see all the effects of our efforts, because this is expected to be a record-breaking season," he said.

Speaking of sustainable tourism, Plenković said that account should also be taken of the negative environmental impact and climate change.

"No other Mediterranean country can boast of having five times more visitors than inhabitants. That's why Croatia is a perfect destination for discussion on the future of tourism," the prime minister said.

He said that Croatia's accession to the European Union's Schengen passport-free travel area and eurozone will have a strong impact on tourism growth and that 2023 will be a record-breaking year for tourist arrivals and revenue.

"€1.3 billion is intended for investment in tourism, which must be well-balanced and divided between the coastal and continental areas, and the new Tourism Act will improve destination management," Plenković said.

Tourism and Sport Minister Nikolina Brnjac said spoke of ongoing efforts to increase the quality of the sports system, infrastructure and legislation.

"The new Tourism Act will provide tools for development of well-balanced, year-round and sustainable tourism, with sports tourism as an important part of it. "An increasing number of tourists are interested in sports activities during their holidays, and professional gatherings and conferences are an important part of the industry," Brnjac said, noting that sport is one of the fastest growing sectors and a trend setter.

UNWTO Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili  said that sport and tourism are the two most important branches of the economy in urban society, and Zadar is a destination where these two branches meet.

That is why it is important to speak about how to reconcile the development of these branches of the economy and growing concern for our plant. We cannot take our planet for granted because it is our only home, Pololikashvili said.

He announced the next conference for September in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

(Hina)

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