International sporting events have become increasingly common in recent decades. While some people reckon that host countries might have to deal with a sudden surge in crime or involve themselves in an exhausting preparation process, more importantly I believe they can take the opportunity to boost tourism.
To begin with, although events such as these are a great opportunity for countries to gain global exposure, there are present significant challenges. Firstly, records have shown that there is a twofold increase in crimes such as prostitution and petty theft when a country organises an event such as the World Cup or the Olympics. Furthermore, the process of preparing for these events is often demanding. For the World Cup 2014, it took Brazil five years to revitalise its cities and construct various facilities including stadiums and indoor athletics arenas to meet the world-class standard set by FIFA.
On the other hand, I am of the opinion that international sporting games can potentially stimulate the tourism sector. By being the host, a country is able to attract a large array of athletes and their supporters from all around the world. This sudden increase in visitors will likely proliferate the sales of products and services such as accommodation and transportation within the period of the events. In the longer term, it is a great chance for the host nations to promote their culture on a global stage. For example, since the pictures of beautifully garnished Vietnamese dishes made headlines during the SEA Games in 2003, Vietnam has been branded as the “Kitchen of the world” and a must visit destination for global food lovers. This obviously does wonders for the Vietnamese economy.
In conclusion, although sports events come at the expense of a few immediate problems, the benefits of boosted gross sales and cultural promotion are of greater significance. In my opinion, host nations can also consider the option of sharing an event with a neighboring country to spread the risk and still enjoy the lucrative long-term benefits