Beach volleyball - another great opportunity for sport tourism

Carole Beckford, Contributor

As the summer season approaches, men and women are preparing themselves for the beach volleyball championship as part of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, in August.

Beach volleyball was introduced to the Olympic Games back in 1992 in Barcelona, Spain, and was officially contested in the 1996 Games in Atlanta. By 2000, it became the second most watched sport. Now what a leap that sport has made! If that happens on the world stage, where, in some areas, beaches have to be made, then how can we in Jamaica, with so many lovely beaches, capitalise on that great opportunity?

Much of the sustainability of marketing programmes in the global marketplace today is as a result of competitiveness. It means going after a desirable market and doing what is possible to maintain the market and grow.

In June 2005, I mentioned that Jamaica's beaches are in good shape and size for the game of beach volleyball and it is an area of sport tourism that we have not embarked on in a serious way. It is also an opportunity for smaller properties. Some of the guests that are attracted to beach volleyball tend to stay in cabin-like facilities where they can host more than two/three guests to a room.

tournament requirements

I call on the owners/operators of beaches around the island to consult with the Jamaica Volleyball Association and find out what are the requirements to be hosts of a beach volleyball tournament.

The Master Plan for Tourism, which set out targets up to 2010, must now be at the point of revision and the sport tourism section should be upgraded to reflect what changes we anticipate will take place for that segment to grow. We have beaches, we have event planners and we certainly do have sponsors.

That, to me, is a recipe for success. The media attention will follow and that brings additional attention to the island; another plus for Jamaica's tourism product. I wait patiently for those glorious days.

I have an even better suggestion ... Let's take the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium for example; we could transport sand, put up barriers to cordon off the court areas and have up to five, maybe six courts in that facility.

With a 25,000 seating capacity, it is one more way that the facility can be used. Add entertainment to that package and patrons will pay to watch some great beach volleyball.

I urge the powers that be to consider this option. There are international activities which are pointing towards developing economies requiring diverse activities to remain competitive.

Reggae Music and Euro 2008

While we are on the sport tourism topic, congratulations are in order for Jamaican reggae star, Shaggy, who is the singer of Like a Superstar the official anthem of Euro 2008. One website said they thought Shaggy had disappeared with the 1990s (not sure why).

Note: All roads lead to the National Stadium, March 12 to 15, for the biggest high school track and field meet anywhere in the world. I ask the spectators to maintain order this year.

Feedback at cubeckford@gmail.com.