Page 34 - IB MAR 2017

Sports

Lift-off!

Sports

tourism

on

the

rise

Fijian Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo breaks the Chiefs’ defence line in the historic Suva match. Photo: Invictus
THE historic Super Rugby match between For the Crusaders-Chiefs match in Suva,
the Canterbury Crusaders and the Waikato Fiji Airways put on an additional four
Chiefs in Fiji’s capital, Suva, was just the flights to cater for rugby fans.
thin end of the wedge. Conservative estimates based on 600
Played under lights in sometimes blind- additional visitors to watch the match
ing rain on an extremely cool night, the would translate to around $FJD600,000 in
match drew a full crowd with some patrons fares to the national airline and $400,000
being turned away at the gate. in accommodation and meals at local
Such was the turnout that the Chiefs facilities which have been designed to at- hotels.
agreed to a second match in Suva, now tract international sporting events. Many That is $1million in revenue for the
their unofficial home away from home. of these were either built or improved upon tourism industry for a single event.
This year the Auckland Blues will play for the 2007 South Pacific Games. Samoa has had similar success promot-
the Queensland Reds under lights at Apia The Blues region is home to about ing WBO World Heavyweight Champion-
Park in the first such event in Samoa. 150,000 proud Samoans, with 15 play- ship fight between Mexico’s Andy Ruiz
It’s somewhat fitting that Auckland – ers in the team claiming Samoan heritage and Samoa’s Joseph Parker.
often called the largest Samoan suburb including its coach, Tana Umaga. Parker’s win and subsequent travel
– should take this match to Apia on the Across the Tasman, records indicate a home to receive the traditional titles of
55th anniversary of the country’s inde- strong Samoan connection in Brisbane Lupesoliai and La’auliolemalietoa brought
pendence. with many Samoans calling the city home huge attention to the country as it contin-
Samoa will celebrate its 55th year of and the Samoan language being listed as ued on its plan to boost tourism.
independence by making Samoan sport- one of the most widely spoken around the World Bank estimates put the rev-
ing history when it hosts its first Investec Brisbane area. enue from Sporting Tourism at around
Super Rugby Championship match on CEO Samoa Tourism Authority Sonja $USD7.68billion in a fast-growing sector.
2nd June. Hunter says that this momentous event Last year Papua New Guinea hosted
The Samoan Government has given full cements Samoa’s growing reputation as the FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup.
support to the fixture and has indicated a sporting hub in the South Pacific. While it was a relatively small event,
that it hopes to secure more Super Rugby “Hosting this first ever Super Rugby the fact that 16 teams would have spent
matches in the future. match is a huge thing for our island na- money on meals, accommodation, water
In 2015, Samoa hosted the All Blacks tion,” Hunter said. and domestic travel for three weeks was a
when it played Manu Samoa. The historic “A sporting event of this calibre opens welcome – if small – boost to the economy.
event was hugely successful and show- up tremendous opportunities for Samoa These may be small events but they add
cased Samoa’s ability to host international and the rest of the region, and we are up over time.
events at the highest level. ready to welcome all the new visitors If the Pacific can take but a fraction of
Samoa has placed great effort in build- that events such as this will bring to our that revenue, opportunities are endless.
ing sports tourism, notably with sporting shores. We are ready for you.” q Invictus News and Features Service

34 Islands Business, March 2017