This Thursday, December 12th at 2 PM, the 5th edition of the Tourisport conference will discuss the topic of the opportunity to develop business tourism by leveraging sports.
Since the end of the 20th century, the French Riviera has stood out globally as one of the top 10 destinations for business tourism. This position is particularly significant considering that nationally, business tourism accounts for 10% of total foreign visits and 35% of foreign visitor spending (cf. Atout France, 2011).
As a favored destination for business tourism, 20% of stays on the French Riviera are conducted for congresses, seminars, events, or conferences. There are approximately 2 million professional stays per year for meetings, professional contacts, or visiting suppliers or clients.
The business tourism clientele on the French Riviera is predominantly national (75% of clients), complemented by international visitors from England, Italy, and the Benelux countries.
Driven by this market’s dynamism, a significant development of new forms of business tourism, based on sports and “ludo-sportive” practices, has emerged since the 2000s.
The participants and influencers in this specific market consist of 10 groups and 600 SMEs, including communication companies, agencies specialized in event creation, and gift voucher issuers.
This sector generates over 6,500 direct jobs in France and contributes to the economy of the French Riviera (travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, etc.).
This conference is composed of two parts. In the first part, speakers will cover new trends, significant developments, and current market events. In the second part, the prospects for growth and evolution of business tourism will be discussed, focusing on the French market and more specifically the French Riviera.
Speakers:
Ms. Anne-Marie QUIRIN, Manager / Owner – BIGBANG INCENTIVE NICE (06)
Mr. Guillaume ROSE, Director – TOURISM/CONGRESS DIRECTION PRINCIPALITY of MONACO
Mr. Pierre ALBUIXECH, Director – OPEN TENNIS NICE CÔTE D’AZUR (06)
Mr. Gilles FOUILLEROUX, Director – TERRE BLANCHE HÔTEL GOLF RESORT* TOURETTES (83)
Round table
Mr. Pierre CAMBREAL, Deputy President – REGIONAL OLYMPIC SPORTS COMMITTEE
Ms. Muriel VENZI, Departmental Director – INSTITUTE OF TRAINING AND APPLICATION
Moderators
Mr. Christian COGLIEVINA, International Scientific Expert in Tourism, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Sports Sciences (STAPS), University of Nice Sophia Antipolis
– Mr. Bernard MASSIERA, Lecturer at the Faculty of Sports Sciences (STAPS) – University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis.
