Introduction

Sport Tourism: People, Places, and Participation explores one of the most vibrant and rapidly evolving sectors of the global tourism industry. Sport tourism today is far more than a niche activity; it is a dynamic phenomenon that reflects the diverse ways people travel, connect, and participate in both sport and leisure. It includes the excitement of mega-events like the Olympic Games, the intimate community engagement of small-scale marathons, the lifestyle appeal of snow-sport destinations, and the transformative personal journeys associated with adventure travel. The convergence of sport and tourism reveals how individuals seek physical activity, cultural meaning, and social interaction through travel, how destinations respond to these demands, and how participation in sport tourism shapes broader discussions about well-being, sustainability, and development. By foregrounding people, places, and participation, this book highlights the human motivations, destination dynamics, and participatory practices that lie at the heart of sport tourism.