A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam

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1 Journal of Sports Science 5 (2017) doi: / / D DAVID PUBLISHING A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam Lam Quang Thanh Vietnam Sport Science Institute, Vietnam Sports Administration, Ha Noi Capital , Vietnam Abstract: The relationship between sport and tourism in the modern world is symbiotic. Sport helps tourism grow in a certain range and tourism also supports sport in many fields. Nowadays, sport and tourism have inextricably linked in the advancement of globalization. The potential and attractive opportunities are opened to make tourism and sport develop based on each other. With the aim to promote the development of sport tourism in Vietnam, the study of theoretical basis and current situation of sport tourism development has been carried out in Vietnam. Research results clarify the mutual relationship between tourism and sport and the effectiveness from this relationship; the assessment on the current status of sport tourism development in Vietnam has contributed to building orientation and solutions to develop sport tourism in the near future. Key words: Tourism, sport, relationships, status. 1. Introduction Sport tourism is a newly developing field in Vietnam. The scientific research of sport following standpoint and global development trend have been initially conducted by scientists to provide a theoretical basis and reality to build sport development program that is suitable with rules and trends of global integration in the current period [1]. Mentioning about the tourism trend in recent days, sport tourism seems to be a raising concept besides other former fomulars such as leisure travelling, scenic visiting and M.I.C.E. Sport competition activities are social activities attracting the public audience and fans. Travelers s demands are increasing and diverse, therefore, appropriate steps should be taken to make sport become a unique tourism product, characteristic of Vietnam s tourism in the integration process. All over the world, in all types of tourism, sport tourism type is very popular in developed and weathy countries and growing strongly worldwide [2]. In these countries, sports tourism is organized under two basic forms: organize sports activities that participants as athletes (usually the adventure sports adventure tourism), for example: climbing, conquer the peak, boating, exploring caves, waterfalls and tours by car, motorcycle, bicycle, etc. The second form is organizing tours to destination which is the host for a sport competition, Olymic, continental multi sports Games, world cup, etc. Each mega sport event brings an uncountable big economic benefit and social effects to the host countries. It is at the same time a precious chance to promote the image of the motherland to international friends and tourists. Sport tourism not only contributes to the demand for tourism, but also further stimulates the economy and accelerates international integration process [3]. In summary, sport tourism is a tourist activity related to sports, also, sport tourism are specific entertaining format which associated with business travelling. These mentioned aboved ideas have shown us the tight relationship between Sport and Tourism, which create a base for development orientation of Sport Tourism in Vietnam. Corresponding author: Lam Quang Thanh, Ph.D., associate professor, research field: sport management.

2 220 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam 2. Methods 2.1 Observation Method As a method of collecting social information on the research subject through direct perception and real record of the relevant factors to the object and purpose of the study. 2.2 Interviewing Method As a method of collecting social information by dialoguing in a theme, a certain order among researchers with the object of study. 2.3 Anket Method As a method of collecting indirect social information based on the questionnaire (referendum). 2.4 Statistical Mathematical Method 3. Research Tool The research tool for this topic is survey. The survey consisting of of four parts and contents (Table 1). 4. Results 4.1 The Current Sport Tourism Situation of Sport Tourism in Vietnam In recent years, sport tourism has developed in some particular regions in Vietnam. Its demand for sport tourism of domestic and international tourists has shown a great potential development. Sport tourism sector in Vietnam is still quite a new field, and then few scientific research projects of sport tourism regarding concept and development oriented trend of other countries in the world have been announced so far. Ideas and overview of sport tourism has not been yet studied and summarized thoroughly. The participation of sport tourism of the people have not been identified and classified. The leadership, macro managers have not given standards requirement to build up sport tourism development strategies in the line with the rules and trend of global integration at the present. Sporting events usually attract a large number of participants, therefore the tourism state management agencies should focus on making surveys, making plans on the location, the area being suitable for the organization of sport tourism program, making promotion plans, supporting tourism enterprises to build and sell sports tourism tours, encouraging the development of large scale adventure tourism, ecotourism in Vietnam. To clarify the situation and the development characteristics of sports tourism in Vietnam, Lam, Q. T. [6] conducted a study on the status of sport tourism development in Vietnam. The survey result based on the ideas of 4160 tourists related to sports activities and the results are presented below: Table 1 Contents of the survey form. No. Events Section Situation participation of Sport Tourism. Issues on the status of participation forms in Sport Tourism (Hall, 1992) [4] 05 Participating Motivation, difficulties and satisfaction of visitors in Sport Tourism. Participating Motivation (Kurzman and Zauhar, 2005) 16 Difficulties - challenges affecting to visitors in Sport Tourism (Jackson and Colleagues, 1993) [5] 16 Satisfaction level of visitors at the placements of Sport Tourism (Thwaites and Chadwick, 2005) 16 Needs of tourists in the activities of Sport Tourism in the future Issues on prticipating needs in the activities of Sport Tourism (Hall, 1992) 03 Demographic General Information about. General Information about Interviewees. 06 Contents of the information questionnaire and the results of inspection are presented in Appendix 1 below. 06

3 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam The Gender Composition of Sports Tourism Participants The survey result on gender of 4160 sport tourism participants (Fig. 1) shows that male percentage accounted for 54.1% (2249 persons) and female percentage accounted for 45.9% (1911 persons). It can be seen that there is no much difference between male and femalee respondents. Therefore, this gender equality should be involved in tourism organization s research to orient and sort out suitable solutions for improving their quality of life via Sports activities. 4.3 The Age Composition of Sport Tourism Participants The age composition is clearly shown in Fig. 2. The age and percentages are highest; age under Fig. 1 The gender composition of sport tourism participants. 60% Ages 50% 49% 40% 30% 25% 20% 10% 0% 11% 11% 3% 1% Under 18 From From From From Above 65 Fig. 2 The age composition of sport tourism participants.

4 222 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam 18 percentages only accounted for 11%, especially age and over 65 percentages are at a very low rate. At the management viewpoint, there are not suitable sports tourism programs for elderly; while age under 18, mostly teenage students, participation in sport tourism at the entertainment sport area is not common. 4.4 The Marital Status Composition of Sport Tourism Participants Marital status is the social factor related to family factor. Survey results show that the number of single people is double the number of that who married (60% compared with 33%) (Fig. 3). Hence, the state management agency should build sports tourism format for family to improve the quality of life, and attract more family joining in. 4.5 Education of Sport Tourism Participants The result of education (Fig. 4) illustrated the percentage of educated people taking hight rate at 69.2% (55.4% university education and 13.8% post graduate). These results reflect that the composition of tourists participating sports tourism depends on education background who aware of participation into and its positive effect of sport tourism. This is the basis knowledge for state management agencies havin suitable plans to construct sports tourism formats in conjuntion with education background of the participants. 4.6 Ocupation of Sport Tourism Participants Fig. 5 shows that the numbers of participants having free time such students, officers, private business households stand at high rate. The percentage of others stand at low rate, especially who working as teacher, doctor and farmer. This result is the basis for the state management agencies having the appropriate solutions to attract different kinds of participants joining sport tourism activities. 4.7 Motivation to Join in Sports Tourism of Tourists Based on the survey, there are 14 variables factors affecting the motivation to join sports tourism. After testing by the coefficient Cronbach s Alpha, all 14 factors are sastisfied and used to measure the participants motivation. Marital Status 70% 60% 60% 50% 40% 33% 30% 20% 10% 0% Single Married Divoce/separated Widowed 5% 2% Fig. 3 The marital status composition of sport tourism participants.

5 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam 223 Education background 60.0% 55.4% 50.0% 40.0% 30.0% 24.6% 20.0% 13.8% 10.0% 6.2% 0.0% Postgradute Under High school High school Colleges/Universities Fig. 4 Education of sport tourism participants. Fig. 5 Ocupation of sport tourism participant. Factor analysis is used to point out the main factors having direct influence on the participants motivation to join the sports tourism (Table 2). 4.8 The Difficulties Obstacles of Tourists When Joining Sports Tourism After testing 15 variables affecting difficulties obstacles when participating sport tourism, then double check by the coefficient Cronbach s Alpha, all 15 factors are satisfied and are used to measure the difficulties or obstacles affecting tourists when joining sport tourism. Factor analysis is used to point out the main factors having direct influence on the difficulties and obstabless to join the sport tourism (Table 3).

6 224 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam Table 2 Analysis of the factors measuring motivation of participants. Order Factors Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 1 Members of family have chance together participate in activities Opportunity to show solidarity, staff s competitive spirit of competition Escape from the pressures of daily work Create memories and share experiences Affirm the sufficiency, the ability Discover the new tourist destination Satisfy curiosity Opportunity to become familiar with the local people Change the current living environment Participate directly in sports activities Learning new things from sports tourism places Meet the needs of relaxing, entertainment Meet friends Opportunities to improve communication skills with other participants Table 3 Analysis of the factors measuring difficulties and obstables when joining sport tourism Factors Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Insufficent strenght to participate in sports activities during the trip Health condition does not allow Be fear of pain or injury Not confident enough when participating in sport tourism Not be interested in participating in any sports activities while traveling The support services are not diverse Types of tourism are not diverse, attractive Facilities and equipment/instruments have poor quality The fees to participate in some sports tourists are high The sports tourism places are too crowded Lack of time due to having to taking care of family Lack of time due to social problems Lack of time due to current job Distance and transportation to sport tourism places are very difficult and take time The family members have no interest in participating in sport tourism Satisfaction Level of Tourists at Sport Tourism Places After testing by the coefficient Cronbach s Alpha, all 15 factors are satisfied and are used to measure the satisfaction of tourists when joining sports tourism. Factor analysis is used to point out the main factors having direct influence on the satisfaction of tourists when joining the sport tourism (Table 4) Demand for Sport Activities by Type Results of the survey on the needs of tourists for types of sport tourism in the future are shown in Fig. 6. In particular, the majority of tourists being eager to join entertainment sport tourism (representing 26.2%), is followed by the type of event sport tourism (representing 18.3%). Coastal sport tourism and adventure sport tourism are equal (16.5% and 15.8% perspectively), followed by health sports tourism (14%) and finally land sports tourism (accounting for 9.2%) Demand for Participating in Sport by Time The result of the survey on tourist demand in terms of the time involved sport tourism is shown in Fig. 7. Among them, most of tourists desire to participate in

7 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam 225 Table 4 Analysis of the factors measuring quality of sports tourism services. Factor Factor 1 Factor 2 Factor 3 Relaxing places, food and beverage The characteristics attracting tourists Management staffs and employees at sport touism destination Entertainmentt services supporting to sport tourism Facilities equipment and instruments The services offered at the sport tourism places Security situation in sport tourism places Weather and climate at sport tourism places The safety and convenience of parking places The level of safety at sport tourism places The convenience of sport tourism places The issures related to advertising and marketing Culture and education of sport tourism places Cultural events, sports and art Accommodation, food and beverage, shopping places Fig. 6 Type of sport tourism that tourists expect in the future.

8 226 A Study on the Status of Sport Tourism Development in Vietnam Fig. 7 Time to participate in all kinds of sport tourism in the future. sports tourism during the period from January to March (accounting for 34.7%), the perfect time to join sport tourism, followed by the group desiring to participate from April to June (28.8%), the group prefering to participate from July to September (21.7%) and finally the group choosing time from October to December (14.8%). 5. Conclusion of activities to attract tourists involved in sport tourism. The analysis of the denmands for sport tourism helps to assess the potential and forecast the sport tourism development in line with practical condition. This is the basis to introduce specific tourism products in the form of sport tourism that tourists expect in the future, be consistent with the time of year. References Socio-demographics features such as gender, age, marital status, education level, occupation are essential to orient the activities in line with the characteristics of all types sport tourism. Sport tourisms activities become demand of many people with different motivation, difficulties and obstacles. This is an important basis to propose solutions of organizational management, investment policy to develop sport tourism, to meet the needs of tourists with diverse types of activities, new tourism products in modern society. The tourists s assessment and satisfaction for the sport tourism places shows that there are still unsuitable activities to each object. The tourism enterprises need solutions promoting investment, improving the quality [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] Reeves, M. R Sport Tourism: Review of Fundamental Research. Unpublished Review Paper, Loughborough University. Standeven, J., and DeKnop, P Sport Tourism.. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics. Jackson, G. A. M., and Weed, M. E The Sport-tourism Interrelationship. In Sport and Society,, edited by Houlihan, B. London: Sage. Hall, C. M Adventure, Sport and Health. In Special Interest Tourism, edited by Hall, C. M., and Weiler, B. London: Belhaven Press. Jackson, G. A. M., and Glyptis, S. A Sport and Tourism: A Review of the Literature. Unpublished Report to the Sports Council, Recreation Management Group. Loughborough University. Lam, Q. T Study on the Status and Solutions of Sport Tourism Development in South-East Provinces of Vietnam. Sports Scientific Research Report. Vietnam Sports Administration.