Case study 1500 words due in 4 hours

Course Name: Sport Tourism Course Code: MSM 611

Case Study: Sustainable Sport Tourism Development

Abu Dhabi Sport Tourism

Instructor: Prof. K. Swart Date: 28 February 2018

Abu Dhabi has set out to boost its tourism development as well as to create a more diversified economy (Hazime, 2011 cited by Slak Valek, 2015). In order to enhance its tourism image, Abu Dhabi has invested heavily in development projects such as Saadiyat Island, Yas Island and Ferrari Theme Park, amongst others (Hazime, 2011 cited by Slak Valek, 2015). Abu Dhabi is also to several major events, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, Mubadala World Tennis Championship and the HSBC Golf Championship, with Yas Island the most popular area of Abu Dhabi in relation to sport tourism (Slak Valek, 2015). According to the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA) (2014), 71% of international tourists visited for leisure, however it is unclear how many have travelled specifically for the purpose of sport (Slak Valek, 2015). It is interesting to note that while Abu Dhabi has a history of sailing, it no longer hosts the Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) despite its impact as per below. Abu Dhabi first took part in the race in 2011-2012, with a 10-day stopover (Slak Valek, 2015).

Table 1: Economic impact generated by VOR Abu Dhabi stopover

Total number of visitors welcomed to the Destination Village 120,604 Hotel stays in Abu Dhabi generated by stopover 32,000 room nights Total sales by destination village retail outlets 1,564,628 AED Total sales turnover by Souk stalls during the stopover 222,600 AED VOR website leading up to and during the stopover 4.850,111

Source: TCA (2013) cited by Valek (2015)

Slak Valek (2015: 19) reported that “no strategy for further development of sport tourism in Abu Dhabi has been established”. However, reports in the media in 2016 (Oxford Business Group, 2016) and 2017 (Sport in Abu Dhabi, 2017) highlight subsequent initiatives to promote Abu Dhabi as a leading sport tourism capital. In a more recent article regarding the Abu Dhabi Tour, 21-25 February 2018, which will see an addition of an 11.8km sprint stage on Al Maryah Island, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council General Secretary said:

“We’re working to make the race more appealing to fans and riders, and this upgrade represents a unique opportunity to make the challenge for the overall standings stronger not only related to the mountain stage. In addition, we can better explore our territory and

promote the country worldwide as a perfect destination for cycle tourists.” (Cycling 360 Abu Dhabi Tour, 2018: 4).

Sources:

Cycling 360 Abu Dhabi Tour. (2018, January 24).

Oxford Business Group. (2016, March 23). Abu Dhabi to leverage sports tourism offering. https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/news/abu-dhabi-leverage-sports-tourism-offering

Slak Valek, N. (2015). Abu Dhabi sport tourism: From zero to hero. In M. Plevnik, I. Retar., R. Pisot, A Obid (Eds). Sustainable development of sport tourism (pp. 11-20). Slovenia: Annales University Press.

Sport in Abu Dhabi. (2017, April 19). Sport in Abu Dhabi: Promoting Abu Dhabi as a world sports tourism capital. https://www.sportinabudhabi.ae/news/sport-abu-dhabi-promoting-abu-dhabi-world- sports-tourism-capital/

Question 1

Review the case study and evaluate the evolution of Abu Dhabi’s sport tourism initiatives; both in terms of its strengths and potentially missed opportunities. Given the focus on economic impacts above, devise a mechanism through which Sport in Abu Dhabi can position itself as a more responsible and sustainable sport tourism destination. It is evident that both Dubai and Abu Dhabi are using cycling events (Dubai Tour and Abu Dhabi) to attract cycling tourists to their respective destinations, provide recommendations as to how the UAE can maximize these opportunities for the destination as a whole.

(15 marks)

Special Instructions

• An essay of 1500 words is required (including Introduction, Conclusion and relevant sub- headings as required).

• Make sure to use APA format both in-text and referencing for the reference list.

Evaluation Rubric for Case Study

Course Code: ________________ Course Name: _____________________________

Program: _______________ Semester: _________________ Student: ____________________

Title of Case Study: ________________________________________________________________

Criteria Levels Marks allocated

Level-4

Level-3

Level-2

Level-1

Identification of the Case Problem

/2 Identifies all the management issues in the case study.

(2 marks)

Understands most of the issues mentioned in the case study (1.5 marks)

Identifies limited issues and problems of the case study.

(1 mark)

Identifies few issues and problems of the case study. (0.5 mark)

Analysis and Evaluation of Issues in the Case

/2 Very thorough and astute analysis and evaluation of case study issues (2 marks)

Analysis of most of the case study issues. A more thorough analysis can be done. (1.5 marks)

Superficial analysis of some issues mentioned in the case study. (1 mark)

Incomplete analysis of the issues mentioned in the case study. (0.5 mark)

Recommendation on Effective Management Strategies

/4 Well researched comments, structured solutions, apt suggestions to all issues mentioned in the case study (4 marks)

Appropriate comments / suggestions / solutions to most of the issues in the case study (3 marks)

Superficial or inappropriate comments / suggestions / solutions to some of the issues in the case study (2 marks)

Incomplete and superficial solutions of some of the issues mentioned in the case study (1 mark)

Conclusion and Further research

/2 Conclusions justify all the stated objectives of the issues of the case study. Excellent research was done on the issues in the case study, and is referenced. (2 marks)

Appropriate and relevant conclusion that covers most of the issues mentioned in the case study. The research has links to various materials to be referenced (1.5 marks)

Limited issues mentioned in the conclusion. The research is also limited to some issues of the case study.

(1 mark)

Incomplete and superficial conclusion limited to some issues of the case study. The research is incomplete and linked to limited readings. (0.5 mark)

Presentation /5 Well- articulated reporting to the audience, with excellent communication skills and structured details (4-5 marks)

Adequate reporting to the audience, with good communication skills and respective details included (3-3.5 marks)

Limited reporting to the audience, with adequate communication skills and lacking certain details (2-2.5 marks)

Lacking reporting details, with limited communication skills (0.5-1.5 marks)

Total /15

Faculty Name: ______________________________ Faculty Signature: _______________________

Date: ____________________