Game on or Adventure Bound? Delving into Master Athletes' Travel Motivations

Abstract

This research delves into the primary factors driving athletes, specifically master swimmers, to Qatar for competitive sports events. Employing a discrete choice survey methodology, hypothetical event packages were crafted to mimic athletes' decision-making processes in selecting their travel options. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews administered to 175 individuals experienced in aquatics. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) with Smart-PLS software was utilized to explore the relationship between travel motivations and two key outcomes: the intention to visit Qatar and overall satisfaction with the Masters Aquatics Championship 2024, as well as the mediating influence of satisfaction. The findings underscored the significant impact of motivators such as the pursuit of stimulation, novelty, and escapism on both athletes' intent to visit Qatar and their satisfaction with the event. Conversely, motivations tied to competitive social status and the desire for victory exhibited varying levels of influence, with the latter exerting a lesser impact on travel intentions.