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| The VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2023 contributed to the tourism industry a revenue up to 55 billion VND |
Success in multiple aspects
VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2023 is the third edition of the event. It has gained increasing popularity over the years, with a growing number of participants each season. In 2023 alone, the marathon has attracted 10,500 athletes. According to the organizers, there were 700 local participants from the province, indicating that 9,800 athletes came from other provinces and international locations.
Considering the figure of 9,800 athletes who travelled from outside of Hue and stayed for at least one night, it can be estimated that nearly 7,000 hotel rooms were utilized. This number is yet to include the thousands of family members accompanying the athletes, who also arrived before, during, and after the race, combining their visit with tourism activities.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Department of Tourism, stated that the VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2023 has been a significant highlight, helping the tourism sector welcome a large number of visitors. Specifically, over 32,500 tourists visited Hue from April 14th to 16th. The estimated tourism revenue reached approximately 55.5 billion Vietnamese dong. The historical sites managed by Hue Monuments Conservation Center welcomed around 12,000 marathon participants for sightseeing.
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| The VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2023 contributed to the tourism industry a revenue up to 55 billion VND |
Looking back at the 2022 version, the total number of hotel bookings in 5 days was approximately 22,000 arrivals of a total of 35,000 visitors came to Hue. The number of athletes and accompanying family members who came to Hue was around 7,000, generating an estimated tourism revenue of 41 billion VND.
In the recent times, Hue has organized several renowned sports events, attracting a large number of athletes and, particularly, tourists. These events have played a significant role in the recovery of the tourism sector of the Ancient Capital, creating new supplementary products for its culture and heritage.
Mr. Vo Le Nhat, Chairman of Hue City People's Committee, believes that the perception has changed, with the marathon now, it is viewed not only as a sporting event but also as an economic contribution to the city. In the long run, as the marathon grows in scale and organization, attracting more visitors, it will become a key economic activity.
The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) defines sports tourism as a form of tourism that actively or passively involves travel experiences when tourists participate in or observe a competitive sports event organized at a specific location.
Some prominent examples of sports tourism are tourists from around the world travelling to follow the events such as the World Cup, the Olympics, and tennis tournaments… The UNWTO acknowledges that sports tourism is “one of the fastest-growing areas” and plays a significant role in the tourism industry.
Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc believes that tourism and sports complement each other. Furthermore, they promote the image of ancient and hospitable Hue, to tens of thousands of visitors. The beautiful image of Hue from different perspectives, such as restaurants, hotels, and venues, will be widely showcased on various information channels and social media. The viewers of these would excite their friends and family in spreading the emotions and beauty of Hue to even more people. This is an essential premise for continuing to achieve the development goals of the Sports Festival City.
Developing sports tourism
The "industry" of sports and tourism always goes hand in hand. UNWTO believes that tourism and sport have a reciprocal relationship as there are always large numbers of tourists “rushing” to the host destination to hang out, alongside those who come to compete. Sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing segments within the tourism industry and is considered a significant business sector. More and more travellers are showing interest in incorporating sports activities into their trips, whether or not sports are the primary purpose of their journey. They are also seen as the two driving forces for the sustainable economic development of tourist destinations.
As a result of the positive signs, the province aims not only to organize an increasing number of sports events, but also go beyond mere competitive activities to create large-scale sports festivals with extended duration and a series of related events to transform them into true celebrations.
On June 25, the Hue Half Marathon 2023 with the theme “Journey of Heritage" was held, with the participation of thousands of runners from all over Vietnam and various countries around the world.
Mr. Nguyen Dinh Anh Khoa, a representative of the organizing committee, believes that this marathon, which is organized for the first time in Hue, would help to stimulate tourism, promoting the image of the people and the scenic beauty of Hue Ancient Capital to international friends, thereby fostering local economic development.
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) has also measured the distances of 5km, 10km, and 21km for the marathon, and certified that these distances meet the standards. Therefore, participants in Hue Marathon 2023 can use these results as part of the criteria for entry into prestigious Half Marathon races worldwide.
Hue is gearing up for an exciting summer, welcoming tens of thousands of visitors to compete and enjoy the Sports Festival 2023, which will take place from the end of June to early July. The Sports Festival goes beyond just running events, featuring various captivating activities such as SUP paddling on the Perfume River and balance bike racing for children aged 6–8.
In his opening speech of the VnExpress Marathon Imperial Hue 2023, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, emphasized that running races, in particular, and sporting activities in general, attract a large number of participants and have significant value. The impact of the marathon extends not only within the country but even in the world. It helps promoting the image of Hue as a land of heritage, with its scenic landscapes, green and clean environment, as well as friendly people, welcoming both domestic and international tourists.