Preliminary Programme
Thursday, 25 November 2021
08:00 – 09:00 Sport activity (optional)
09:00 – 10.00 Register & badge collection
10:00 – 10:30 INAUGURATION OF THE 1ST WORLD SPORTS TOURISM CONGRESS
Intervention:
- Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation
- Roger Torrent i Ramió, Minister of Enterprise and Employment of the Government of Catalonia
10:30 – 11:30 SESSION 1: CHALLENGES IN SPORTS TOURISM FOR THE ‘NEW NORMAL’ AND ITS CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Format: Expert session
Topics: Sustainable Development Goals, Agenda 2030, values of sport. The impact of sports tourism (social, environmental and economic development). The new normal post-COVID-19.
MODERATOR:
– Damià Serrano – ACT Director of Experience Marketing and Research
SPEAKERS:
– Kilian Jornet (by hologram)
– Lisa Delpy Neirotti – Professor George Washington University (virtual)
– Sara Mair Bellshaw – Managing Director at Slow Adventure
– Timothy O’Donoghue – Founder & Executive Director Riverwind Foundation (virtual)
11:30 – 12:00 Networking coffee break
12:00 – 13:00 SESSION 2: SPORTS TOURISM FROM THE DEMAND SIDE, MARKET VOLUME AND POTENTIAL
Format: Panel discussion
Topics: Trends in sports and physical activity. From professional elite sport to niche and recreational amateur sport.
MODERATOR:
– Fabián Quesada – Managing Director Spanish Sports Association (ADESP) and Attitude Praxis
SPEAKERS:
– Jennifer Stoll – Director of Research and Education at Sports Events and Tourism Association (Sports ETA)
– Lavonne Wittmann – Director of Global Membership at SKAL International
– Leslie Vella – Malta Tourist Board (virtual)
– Professor Dr. Terry Stevens & Founder Stevens & Associates
13:00 – 14:00 SESSION 3: INNOVATION IN DEVELOPING SPORTS TOURISM: STADIUMS, OLYMPIC GAMES AND MASS PARTICIPATION AT SPORTING EVENTS
Format: Panel discussion
Topics: The impact of COVID-19 on the preparation of sports venues, feasibility and legacy post macro-events, right holders and sustainability of events and sports facilities.
MODERATOR:
– Professor Dr. Terry Stevens & Founder Stevens & Associates
SPEAKERS:
– Josep Escoda – Head of International Relations and Innovation Development at CAR Sant Cugat, General Secretary of ASPC, CIPC Olympic Solidarity Mentor, IOC Academic Advisor
– Juanjo Rovira – Director MIC Sports & MICFootball
– Peter McKeena – Stadium and Commercial Director, Croke Park, Dublin
– Vyacheslav Fetisov – Russian former professional ice hockey player and coach (virtual)
14:00 – 15:30 Networking lunch
15:30 – 16:30 Breakout sessions
15:30 – 16:30 SESSION 4.1: DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN SPORTS TOURISM (WOMEN, LGTB, ADAPTED SPORT)
Format: Panel discussion
Topics: Gender, religion, cultural diversity, accessibility: current topics affecting sports and tourism.
MODERATOR:
– Patrick Torrent – Executive Director of the Catalan Tourist Board
SPEAKERS:
– Maite Laporta. Head of Diversity and Inclusion at FCB
– Harry Connolly – CEO Visit West Belfast (Sports Tourism for Peace)
– Sylvana Mestre – CEO/Founder of Play and Train Company
– Karl Ainscough Gates – Chairman of International Gay Rugby Association (IGR)
15:30 – 16:30 SESSION 4.2: THE NEEDS OF SPORTS VISITORS: THE ATHLETES’ AND COACHES’ PERSPECTIVE
Format: Panel discussion
Topics: Adapting the sports tourism suppliers for successful training camps, tournaments and events.
MODERATOR:
– Pere Vilà Collmalivern – Director of the Sports Federations Union of Catalonia (UFEC)
SPEAKERS:
– Miki Delàs. Captain Barça hockey and captain of the Spanish senior men’s hockey team (via hologram)
– Ernest Aguilar – Head of Social Events, Innovation and New Markets, Club Natació Sabadell
– Trystan Bevan – High Performance Coordinator at Cardiff Rugby.. (virtual)
– Paraskevi Patoulidou – President of Thessaloniki Tourism Organisation and gold medalist in the Olympic Games of Barcelona
16:30 – 17:00 Networking coffee break
17:30 – 18:30 SESSION 5: SUCCESSFUL GOVERNANCE OF A DESTINATION AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE SPORTS TOURISM STRATEGIES
Format: Panel discussion
Topics: Local, regional & national sports tourism strategies and governance in the new normal. Private sector involvement.
MODERATOR:
– Professor Dr. Terry Stevens & Founder Stevens & Associates
SPEAKERS:
– Lars H Olsen – Senior advisor at Destination Vadehavskysten (Denmark) (virtual)
– Manuela Di Centa – Councillor at Italian Tourism Ministry
– Geert Bruynseels – Event expert at Sport Event Flanders
– Novak Mass – ALOHAS, Sustainable Solutions in Tourism (virtual)
– Ms Sonto Mayise – Chief Convention Bureau Officer- Tourism Kwazulu-Natal: KZN CONVENTION BUREAU (virtual)
20:00 – 22:30 Official dinner (open to all participants)
El Trull Restaurant (Plaça Nacions Unides, 1, 17310 Canyelles, Girona)
Access with congress accreditation