SPORT TOURISM AND ITS IMPACT ON LAGOS STATE.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Sports tourism refers to travel which involves either observing or participating in a sporting event staying apart from their usual environment. Sport tourism is a fast-growing sector of the global travel industry and equates to $7.68 billion.

Sports tourism is traveling from one region, country, state, etc. to another in order to watch a sports competition or game. While sports tourism has not always been extremely popular, during the recent decade the amount of people attending out of area sporting events has drastically increased. People are now traveling far and wide just to attend their favourite events, and it is no wonder as to what has encouraged the sudden spike in popularity.

While the technological advances in recent years may not have appeared to make a huge impact on the sport industry, they most certainly have. Due to the availability of buying sports tickets online through various admissions sites, people now have access to multiple resources that were not available a decade ago. People are also more aware of when and where the games and competitions will take place in advance, so they are more able to prepare for the cost and time that is needed to be able to attend the events. Sports tourism has not only managed to find a place in the technological industry, but it has increased because of it.

The types of sports tourism consumers vary from sport to sport. The most generalized statistics are that most sports tourists are males between the ages of 18 and 34, and they are in the middle-class economic groups. Delving deeper into the study will help to get a more accurate statistical rank on class, status and age. For example, cricket and rugby fans are generally older and have more disposable income than basic football and basketball fans. While different sports have different sports tourism consumers, all sports have taken a popularity increase in recent years.

While sports tourism has gained popularity in recent years, one must stop and consider what it really is and why it has become so popular among the sports fan crowds. Not only has it managed to steadily increase each year, but it has also taken a spot among the top reasons for traveling and vacationing. It appears as though more and more people are using their well-earned vacations to see their favourite players in action. So, what is sports tourism? It is simply a means to see a competition up close and personal at a location that is not considered home.

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY:

Centuries ago, when visitors ventured into the area that subsequently became known and referred to as Nigeria; they expressed delight at the values they encountered and the natural resources that abound. Today, it has become a known fact that Nigeria is blessed with places of touristic significance, however, these tourist sports need to be strengthened and developed such that they would become culturally viable aspects of our environment and economy.

The terms “eco-tourism” and “sport-tourism” have a familiar ring in the tourism industry parlance, concept and concern, yet there full ramifications and the complex interrelationship between them are rarely embraced. Eco-tourism is nature-based tourism that involves education on and interpretation of the natural environment as it is managed to be ecologically sustainable. Conversely, Architecture of recreation (sport) in a unique environment must be firmly grounded in ecological principles, and by extension be both site and climate specific. In words of Frank Lloyd Wright “a building is appropriate to place if it is in harmony with its natural environment, with the landscape taking advantage of natural features”.

Suffice to say that, when sport and recreation in a unique environment (like the Lekki Beach) coupled with economic development (usually labelled tourism), then the associated developments can serve as a positive, valuable resource in our ‘struggle for significance’ in the tourism industry. 

The ultimate value of recreation and sport is the contribution it can make to self-actualization and personal significance. The actualization process means the development or discovery of true self, and development of existing or latent potential to the maximum. The existence of a coastal recreation area should therefore be regarded as a natural gift needing to be preserved or treated with great care and skill. Encouragement of sports like golfing through the provision of a standard golf clubhouse and course alongside other recreational facilities is a natural step towards generating capital as well as taking maximum advantage of the land and water resources of the area.

Lagos sometimes referred to as Lagos State to distinguish it from Lagos Metropolitan Area, is a state located in the south western geopolitical zone of Nigeria. The smallest in area of Nigeria's 36 states, Lagos State is arguably the most economically important state of the country, containing Lagos, the nation's largest urban area. The actual population total is disputed between the official Nigerian Census of 2006, and a much higher figure claimed by the Lagos State Government. Lagos State is located in the south-western part of the Nigerian Federation. On the North and East it is bounded by Ogun State. In the West it shares boundaries with the Republic of Benin. Behind its southern borders lies the Atlantic Ocean. 22% of its 3,577 km2are lagoons and creeks.