Heritage sport tourism in Canada

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to illustrate the opportunities and challenges of heritage sport tourism by examining (1) the Arctic Winter Games and (2) the Canadian Football League as heritage sport tourism attractions in Canada. A review of the heritage sport tourism literature provides the context for this assessment. Key opportunities were found in (1) the manifestation of sport as a meaningful form of culture; (2) sport's impact on collective identity and by extension – destination image and (3) unique connections of sport heritage to place that can be positioned for competitive advantage. The central challenges include those associated with (1) processes of globalization and (2) the fragmented nature of the heritage sport tourism industry.

Keywords:

• heritage
• sport
• tourism
• culture
• identity
• Canada

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to recognize the contribution of the late Rod Murray. His insights into the CFL were instrumental in the development of this section of the paper. We would also like to thank Charlene Nielsen for her development of Figure 1.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tom Hinch

Tom Hinch is a professor and associate dean, Community and International Engagement with the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta. He is particularly intrigued by the way tourists experience the places they visit, and he is more generally interested in sustainable tourism development. His academic research has been conducted in the realm of sport tourism as well as tourism and indigenous people.

Gregory Ramshaw

Gregory Ramshaw is an assistant professor. His teaching and research include tourism and its relationship with sports, sports sites, sports facilities and halls of fame. Recent papers include “Living heritage and the sports museum: athletes, legacy and the Olympic hall of fame and museum, Canada Olympic Park” in the Journal of Sport & Tourism and “Sports facilities and transnational corporations: anchors of urban tourism development” in Tourism and international business: global issues, contemporary interactions.