Matthew J Lamont

'I wanted to see the pain on their face': sport tourists' perceptions of authenticity at the 2011 Tour de France

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:25:45 PDT

'It's just soaked in history: sport tourism and nostalgia at the Tour de France

Sheranne Fairley et al. — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 19:25:44 PDT

Risk and return: amateur triathletes' reactions to the cancellation of Ironman New Zealand 2012

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 23:52:50 PDT

Intimations of postmodernity in sports tourism at the Tour de France

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:30:55 PDT

Despite the burgeoning literature on sports tourism research the area is dominated by descriptive and anachronistic typologies. Consequently, some scholars have called for greater connectivities between sports tourism and related academic specialities. Accordingly, this article uses a case study of the 2011 Tour de France to suggest how sports tourism research can benefit from the sociological perspective of postmodernism. We support our argument by focusing on processes of mobile subjectivities and perceived authenticity among members of a commercially organised cycling and spectating trip.

A qualitative exploration of participant motives among committed amateur triathletes

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 23:30:53 PDT

This study explored motivations of amateur triathletes using an interpretive approach. In-depth interviews were conducted with 21 triathletes in two Australian east coast states. Data were interpreted through the theoretical lenses of self-determination theory and flow. Nine motivation themes emerged. The triathletes were motivated to participate in triathlon partly for intrinsic reasons, though extrinsic motives were also extensively prevalent. Different motivations were found to be cyclical in directing behavior contingent upon individual goals, event schedules, and personal circumstances. There is a need for further inquiry into endurance sport participants’ endorsement of intrinsic versus extrinsic motives.

Amateur triathletes and event travel careers: motivations and constraints negotiation

M Kennelly et al. — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 18:25:54 PST

Self-determined: a qualitative interpretation of participation motives among non-elite triathletes

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 18:15:38 PDT

In a recent issue of the International Journal of Sports Marketing and Sponsorship addressing non-elite participation in sport, Phelps and Dickson (2010) criticised sport marketing researchers’ overt focus on spectators at events. Despite extensive active participation by non-elite athletes at events globally, scholarly research has neglected “events that are all about bums in the event, rather than bums on seats” (Phelps & Dickson, 2010, p. 5). The present study addresses this overlooked area of sport marketing research by examining motivations of non-elite triathlon competitors. It contributes a rich description of participant motives in an endurance sport combining swimming, cycling and running. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews with 22 non-elite triathletes residing in two Australian east coast states. Interviewees were purposively selected according to experience, ambition and demographics, ensuring a broad spectrum of viewpoints. An interpretive methodology allowed motivational themes to emerge from the data, broadening existing knowledge contributed by previous quantitative studies. Following a three-stage thematic analysis process (Neuman, 2006) findings were interpreted through the lens of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985). Nine broad themes emerged as motivations for participating in the sport of triathlon. Various forms of extrinsic regulation were extensively prevalent. Intrinsic motivations were present, particularly experiencing flow (Csikszentmihalyi, 1975), albeit to a lesser degree. Different motivations were cyclical in directing behaviour, contingent upon the triathletes’ goals, event calendar, and personal circumstances. Some results contradicted previous literature suggesting intrinsic motivations primarily underpin participation in sport and exercise (e.g. Ryan & Deci, 2007). Additional research is therefore needed to quantify the strength and cyclical intensity of the motivations identified. Further, several triathletes underwent lifestyle transitions in which regular exercise became internalised and self-endorsed (Deci & Ryan, 2000). As such, positive self-transformation as observed in this study could have implications for public health initiatives in developed nations, while other aspects of the research may be useful in promoting participation in endurance sports.

Active, passive, packaged sport tourism

Matthew James Lamont — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:30:43 PDT

Putting the brakes on: impediments to the development of independent bicycle tourism in Australia

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 23:55:37 PDT

Cycle tourism was identified in the Australian federal government’s 2003 Tourism White Paper as a niche market with potential for enhancing Australia’s competitiveness in the global tourism marketplace. However, if Australia is to establish itself as an internationally recognised cycle tourism destination, the three spheres of government must work together and take steps such as strategic planning, to improve the provision of infrastructure and amenities required by cycle tourists. Strategic planning requires a good knowledge of the needs of cycle tourists. However, at this time little systematic research has examined the efficacy of Australia to support this form of tourism. This paper reports the outcomes of an exploratory study which examined three factors currently considered impediments to the development of independent cycle tourism. Quantitative and qualitative evidence are presented to confirm that factors including road safety for cyclists, inadequate infrastructure, and difficulties associated with the carriage of bicycles on transport services, currently act as impediments to the development of independent cycle tourism in Australia. Recommendations are also made for government actions that should be undertaken to ameliorate these impediments.

Competing priorities as constraints in event travel careers

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 22:53:45 PDT

An event travel career is a potentially lifelong pattern of travel to events linked with an individual’s preferred leisure activity. This paper applies the concept of an event travel career to non-elite triathletes. For these active sport tourists, ongoing pursuit of an event travel career is arguably constrained by competing priorities that intervene between everyday life and their pursuit of an event travel career. Indepth interviews were conducted with 21 triathletes identified as pursuing an event travel career. Interpretive analysis revealed seven domains of competing priorities that could work to constrain their event travel career aspirations. These domains included familial relationships, domestic responsibilities, sociability, finances, leisure, wellbeing, and work/education. The seven competing priority domains were interrelated, and cyclical in their constraining effects. Data assisted in clarifying some defining characteristics of the event travel career concept, and challenged notions of leisure participation as entirely positive and fulfilling.

I can't do everything! Competing priorities as constraints in triathlon event travel careers

Matthew Lamont et al. — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:45:20 PDT

The term “event travel career” describes how highly involved and/or committed persons pursue acareer of travel to organized events linked to their preferred leisure activity. The introduction ofthis significant, discretionary social role may lead to individuals experiencing dilemmas in prioritizingbetween day-to-day needs and desires and those of their event travel career. This articlediscusses how the concepts of competing priorities and opportunity costs are useful in understandingconstraints faced by serious leisurists pursuing an event travel career. The sport of triathlonwas chosen as a context in which to examine these concepts. A textual analysis of postings to anAustralian online forum for triathletes was undertaken over 4 weeks. The data supported the contentionthat persons who train for and travel to triathlon events face significant resource-relatedconstraints in the form of competing priorities. Three domains where the triathletes encounteredcompeting priorities in their lives were identified: intrapersonal, interpersonal, and structural. Interms of negotiating constraints presented by their competing priorities, the triathletes appearedwilling to accept a range of opportunity costs in order to maintain momentum in their event travelcareer. This study contributes to enhancing knowledge regarding constraints faced by serious leisuristsin a tourism context, and also in understanding the broader implications of constraints negotiationat the individual level.

Gambling on sport sponsorship: a conceptual framework for research and regulatory review

Matthew Lamont et al. — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:45:18 PDT

Commercial gambling providers (CGPs) have recently intensified the promotion of theirproducts and services through sport sponsorship. Consequently, gambling products andservices now gain substantial exposure to large audiences via media broadcasts of sport.Due to the mainstream appeal of some sports, television audiences and fan-bases caninclude youth, at-risk and problem gamblers, who may be prompted to gamble, or toincrease their gambling, by the direct marketing, alignment of gambling with a ‘healthy’activity and increased normalisation of gambling. Therefore, sport sponsorship by CGPspromotes a potentially risky behaviour and may exacerbate the public health issue ofproblem gambling. Regulatory measures have been implemented by governments andprivate organisations in relation to sport sponsorship by tobacco companies in recognitionof the potential harmful impacts of this form of marketing. Subsequently, the involvementof ‘unhealthy products’ including alcohol, junk food and gambling in sport sponsorship hasbeen publicly questioned. This may lead to further regulatory changes that would directlyaffect the management of sport organisations. Few studies have examined these issues andthere is little knowledge of the impacts that sport sponsorship arrangements have onsociety. Research is needed to inform prudent decision-making about the appropriateregulation of sport sponsorship. This paper reviews the current gambling sportsponsorship landscape and proposes a conceptual framework aimed at facilitating asystematic, interdisciplinary research agenda for examining corporate social responsibilityissues pertinent to the sponsorship of sport by CGPs.

Cooperative business organizations: intrinsic in every strategically functional tourism industry

Neil Leiper et al. — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:45:16 PDT

Relationships between organizations sharing the same domain (such as a marketplace) can take the form of competition, cooperation, coexistence, or a combination of such. An article previously published in Tourism, Culture & Communication suggested that competition and cooperation are mutually exclusive. That is, business organizations cannot simultaneously compete and cooperate.This critique from Leiper, Lamont, and Hing critically discusses the notions of “competition” and“cooperation,” and presents evidence supporting a contention that business organizations commonlycompete and cooperate on a concurrent basis. This review also seeks to clarify the notion of industrial cooperation by identifying and discussing two forms of industrial cooperation: intraindustry,and interindustry. The importance of both intraindustry and interindustry cooperation in understanding the structure of tourism industries is also highlighted. Readers should note that this article was initially composed as a counter argument paper (and almost completed!!) by Professor Neil Leiper in his study on the east coast of Australia. The article has been read as an “in progress” work by Lamont and Hing, who had worked closely with Professor Leiper over recent years. Lamont and Hing have sought to work with precision to retain and strengthen the core ideas of their colleague, Professor Leiper. In certain places, they have drawn on their long knowledge of the Leiper manifesto for relevant and strategic Tourism Management/Tourism Development decision making to round off the interpretations that Professor Leiper was in process of finalizing at his untimely passing. (Abstract by the Critical Review Editor)

Event governance: the rhetoric and reality of the World Rally Championship, Northern Rivers, NSW

Dianne Dredge et al. — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:26:36 PDT

Processes of globalisation and the concomitant need to establish a presence in a globally competitive marketplace are frequently cited as factors underpinning national government involvement in the support of events. State government, and to a lesser extent, local government involvement in events is often justified by an event’s ability to facilitate, among other things, regional development, destination branding and city imaging. Yet despite increasing involvement of such governments in activities aimed at attracting events, little attention has been paid to the way in which the different levels of government collaborate, and the quality of governance arrangements in place before, during and after the event. This paper addresses this gap in research by examining the governance arrangements that characterised the World Rally Championship event held in the Northern Rivers Region of New South Wales in September 2009.

The Rally was a controversial event from which lessons can be drawn that contribute to, and enhance understandings of, good event governance. In addressing this broad aim, the objectives of this qualitative study are, firstly, to identify the governance issues associated with the planning and management of the World Rally Championship event in the Northern Rivers Region, New South Wales in 2009; and secondly, to identify lessons for event planning and management practice that would enhance good event governance. The results of the study suggested that more effective event governance in relation to the planning and management of the rally could be achieved by addressing the numerous issues that were identified in this analysis.

The better mousetrap fallacy: a case study of the Bali Pathfinder tourist map

Neil Leiper et al. — Wed, 25 May 2011 21:20:36 PDT

‘Build’ a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door’ is a slogan originating in the USA in the 19th century that could be applied to the Bali Pathfinder tourist map which is, in its utilitarian and artistic features, superior to other maps intended for tourists in Bali – and its price is lower. However, it is ‘a better mousetrap’ which relatively few tourists are beating a path to buy. Other maps are selling in larger quantities. Thus the case study illustrates what critical thinkers – skeptics – call ‘the better mousetrap fallacy’. A map of excellent quality – designed, published and distributed by a small-scale Balinese-owned business, has a minor share of its market. The weakness is in its method of distribution. In contrast, multinational publishers have a strong method, enabling them to capture a larger share. The strength of the multinationals cannot be matched by the small-scale local publisher.

Selfish leisure? Competing priorities and constraints in triathlon event travel careers

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:29:18 PDT

The term event travel career refers to a potentially lifelong desire to travel to events pertinent to an individual’s preferred leisure activity that is characterised by progression, evolving preferences, and modified behaviour. This paper applies the concept of an event travel career to non-elite triathletes. It is argued that for these serious sport tourists, ongoing pursuit of an event travel career is constrained by competing priorities that intervene between their day-to-day life and their event life. Indepth interviews were conducted with 10 non-elite triathletes engaged in a triathlon event travel career. Interpretive analysis of the interview data revealed seven domains of competing priorities that constrained the nexus between day-to-day life and pursuit of an event travel career. These domains included relationships, sociability, domestic, financial, leisure, wellbeing and work/education. The theoretical implications of this research are discussed, along with avenues for future enquiry.

Splitting the peleton: segmenting attendees at a participatory cycling event using recreational specialisation

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 00:29:16 PDT

This paper argues that recreation specialisation is a useful means for segmenting participants in participatory cycling events, particularly for event evaluation research. Segmenting event participants according to their level of recreation specialisation may contribute to a more comprehensive insight into attendees’ needs, preferences and satisfaction than segmentation based on elementary demographic variables. In this paper, a two-step clustering method for segmenting attendees at a participatory cycling event according to level of recreation specialisation is tested. The research used data collected from the 2010 Audax Alpine Classic, a participatory cycling event that is an important Summer-time tourism drawcard for Victoria’s Alpine region. Results indicated that although participants in this event generally exhibited high levels of recreation specialisation in relation to cycling, this population could be segmented into two distinct clusters: ‘intermediate’ and ‘expert’. Management implications are discussed along with suggestions for future research.

Competing to compete? Exploring competing priorities as constraints in event travel careers amongst non-elite triathletes

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:26:59 PST

Prominent event management scholar Donald Getz recently coined the term ―event travel career‖ to describe how highly involved and/or committed persons can initiate a career of travel to events surrounding their preferred leisure activity. However, individuals may face dilemmas in prioritising between day-to-day needs and desires and those of their event travel career. Negotiating these competing priorities can lead to opportunity costs, or the loss of benefits that may have eventuated if one course of action was prioritised over another. The fields of leisure constraints and constraints negotiation are therefore relevant in understanding how event travel careers integrate into people‘s lives. This paper argues that the concepts of competing priorities, values, and opportunity costs are useful in understanding how and why people make tradeoffs in aspects of their life in order to pursue event travel careers. A textual analysis of postings to an Australian online forum for triathletes was undertaken over four weeks. The data collected supported a contention that persons who train for and travel to triathlon events face numerous competing priorities, such as allocating leisure time between their event travel career versus spending time with family and friends. Three categories of competing priorities were identified: intrapersonal, interpersonal and structural. From a scholarly perspective this study represents new ground in the field of leisure constraints research. Avenues for future research based around the notion of competing priorities are discussed in this paper.

Guiding the way: exploring cycle tourists’ needs and preferences for cycling route maps and signage

Matthew James Lamont et al. — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 21:04:05 PDT

Independent bicycle tourism: a whole tourism systems perspective

Matthew James Lamont — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 15:03:40 PDT

Leiper’s model of whole tourism systems is a useful conceptual framework for generic research into tourism. However, several limitations can be identified regarding its capacity to describe elements that comprise whole tourism systems involving independent bicycle tourism. This paper draws on a combination of empirical evidence, existing literature and critical analysis to demonstrate how two geographic elements of whole tourism systems: transit routes and tourist destination regions, can be reconceptualised to better reflect tourist flows associated with independent bicycle tourism. It is suggested that for independent bicycle tourists, the concept of a destination is multi-dimensional. Furthermore, two distinct transit routes used by such tourists are identified. An adapted model of whole tourism systems specific to independent bicycle tourism is proposed and implications for theory and practice are discussed as are avenues for future research.