Tourism Kingston recognizes the significance and value of sporting events, and is committed to enhancing Kingston’s image as a premier sports event destination through its Sport Tourism Initiative.

Due to the competitive climate of the growing sport tourism industry, Kingston’s Sport Tourism Task Force was created. It is an advisory group made up of Kingston’s industry stakeholders that collectively contribute to the promotion and encouragement of sport hosting throughout the community.

Kingston’s Sport Tourism initiative targets high-profile national and international sporting events that showcase our community as a sport friendly, sport embracing, premier tourist destination.

Objectives

1) To increase the number, scope and impact of Sports Tourism events held in the Kingston area.

2) To create a "one-stop shop" for event planners and teams considering Kingston as a host community.

3) To raise Kingston’s Community profile through sports tourism.

4) To identify desired sports tourism events and prepare bids to secure their choice of Kingston.

5) To Maintain and enhance current sports tourism events - to showcase our competence and attract more visitors.

6) To provide feedback from the marketplace regarding specifics of events - successes, deficiencies etc. Develop reports that include economic impact, what the participants and fans thought of the event, and what changes we will make for the next event.

7) To measure the impact of events. Use STEAM (Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model) to assess economic impact.

8) To secure corporate partnerships

Tourism Kingston’s Sport Tourism partners include:

• Kingston Economic Development Corporation
• City of Kingston
• Kingston Accommodation Partners
• Queen’s University
• Royal Military College
• St. Lawrence College
• Downtown Kingston
• The Greater Kingston Chamber of Commerce
• CORUS Entertainment
• Sport Kingston
• Limestone District School Board
• Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
• Arcturus SMG Canada
• Volunteer Kingston

For more information regarding the Sport Tourism Steering Committee, please contact Gary Kelly, Sport Tourism Manager at (613) 544-2725 ext. 242.