The 2nd edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), held under the theme “Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability”
Organized by UNWTO, Government of Croatia brought together experts and leaders from across the sports and tourism sectors, alongside representatives of destinations and businesses.
As Sports Tourism plays a key role in enhancing economic growth and social development in many destinations, the Congress focused on sports tourism’s economic impact and its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) by creating jobs and supports businesses in cities and rural communities.
“Sports Tourism plays a key role in enhancing economic growth and social development in many destinations. It creates jobs and supports businesses in cities and rural communities alike. In order to maximize its potential, public and private sector actors must collaborate, and that’s where UNWTO steps in,” said UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
“I am very proud of having hosted this Congress in Croatia. We enjoyed hearing many excellent international and Croatian speakers, as well as presenting the many opportunities of sustainable development of sports tourism in Croatia,” said the Minister of Tourism and Sport of Croatia Ms. Nikolina Brnjac.
“Croatian government has secured generous funds for building active tourism infrastructure, in line with our goal of making Croatia a globally competitive sports tourism destination,” she added.
Alongside assessing the impacts of sports tourism, the Congress also explored the potential benefits of the growing sector, including its links to health and wellbeing, and its importance for promoting destinations to bigger and more diverse audiences.
