Promoting tourism through the organization of international sports events: a national and international strategic benchmark and recommendations for the Portuguese ecosystem using the stakeholder mapping framework

Abstract

This research focuses on gathering benchmarks to establish a set of best-in-class strategies to foster the tourism industry in Portugal through the organization of international sports events. To do so, a series of interviews with relevant stakeholders within the national and international sports ecosystem were carried out. The collected data was analyzed and presented using the frameworks: Grounded Theory and Theory of Change. As result, this research concluded that the sports organizations in Portugal should apply modern governance, establish a recognized interinstitutional intermediary and leader to align the strategy and pursue a geographical approach when applying it.