Sport Tourism - Grey Sport Tourists, All Black and Red Experiences

摘要

Sport tourism has been one of the fastest developing segments of a growing tourism industry, with sporting events comprising an important part of this growth (Ritchie et al., 2002). It is not surprising then that the prominence of sport-related tourism within the tourism industry has been accompanied by growing interest within academia (Gibson, 1998; Gammon & Robinson, 1997, 2003; Higham, 1999, Higham & Hinch, 2002, 2003; Hinch & Higham, 2001, 2003; Gibson, 2003, 2004; Weed, 2006). However, despite such interest, there has been a relative paucity of research undertaken to examine the profile of sport tourists as individuals who consume sport tourism experiences and products (Saayman et al., 2005; Hennessey et al., 2008). This paper addresses one category of sport tourism - that is, event sport tourism - and focuses on those event sport tourists who travel to watch a sporting event (Gibson, 1998, p. 45). In particular, it focuses on an increasingly significant segment of sport tourism - group sport tours, and identifies an equally significant segment of sport tourists - older or 'grey' sport tourists. The paper draws on related studies of sport tourists associated with the sport of rugby union - specifically those tourists, identified as travelling supporters of the New Zealand All Blacks and of the British Lions rugby union teams, who are both spectators and fans - to highlight the nature, characteristics and significance of such grey sport tourists. Our analysis has revealed that the All Black and British Lions sport tourist markets are largely homogeneous, yet have distinctive characteristics, being disproportionately representative of older, wealthier, highly qualified and educated, urbanized males. The paper concludes with suggestions for future research possibilities regarding related sport tourism events, sport tourists' motivations and social/leisure experiences; and also regarding sport spectatorship in New Zealand and beyond.