Skål International New York invites Skålleagues to join a special webinar exploring one of the fastest-growing sectors in global travel: sports tourism.
Our guest speaker, Luisa Mendoza, Founder & CEO of Global Tourism Sports & Entertainment (GTSE), will share insights into how major sporting events and sports-driven travel are reshaping destinations, driving economic impact, and creating new opportunities for tourism professionals.
With global events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to North America, sports tourism is expected to play an even larger role in shaping visitor flows and destination opportunities—making this an especially timely conversation for Skålleagues working across travel, hospitality, and destination marketing.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience across tourism and professional sports—including senior roles at NYC Tourism and with the Brooklyn Nets—Mendoza brings a unique perspective at the intersection of sports, travel, and destination marketing.
GTSE today serves as the Official Sports and Tourism Ambassador for the U.S. Travel Association and IPW, helping destinations and partners leverage sports events and experiences to attract travelers and grow economic impact.
What Skålleagues Will Learn
• How sports tourism is becoming a major driver of destination marketing and visitor spending
• The role of global sporting events in tourism growth and economic development
• Opportunities for travel professionals to partner with sports organizations and events
• How destinations can leverage sports experiences to attract international travelers
RSVP Required
Registration is required to attend.
The webinar access link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.
Watch the full recording of our webinar with Luisa Mendoza, exploring the rapid growth of sports tourism as a major driver of global travel. The session covers key trends, including the projected expansion of the market to over $1 trillion, and the significant economic impact of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Luisa also shares practical strategies for destinations and travel professionals to engage sports travelers and capitalize on upcoming opportunities. Presentation materials and the session video are available below.
Note that the Zoom did not record the few slide deck pages, which you can see HERE.
