A Qualitative Paradigm of Family Tourism Drivers with a Sports Tourism Approach

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop and explain a qualitative paradigm of family tourism drivers from a sports tourism perspective and to identify the key factors influencing the development of family-oriented sports tourism. This study employed a qualitative research design using a thematic analysis approach. The participants consisted of sports tourism experts, including university academics, researchers, and sports tourism tour leaders. Purposeful sampling was applied, and data collection continued until theoretical saturation was achieved, resulting in 12 semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA software through open, axial, and selective coding procedures. A total of 114 primary codes, 12 secondary concepts, and 5 major categories were extracted and organized into a comprehensive conceptual framework. The thematic analysis revealed that the drivers of family tourism with a sports tourism approach are organized into five major categories: economic infrastructure characteristics, technology and existing sports potentials, socio-cultural factors, sports facilities, and health and wellness. The economic infrastructure dimension comprised the core themes of “economic impacts” and “travel planning and management.” The technology and sports potential dimension included “attractions and activities” and “technology and media.” Socio-cultural factors were represented by four major themes: “culture and identity,” “sport-cultural attractions,” “experience and learning,” and “social interactions.” Furthermore, the sports facilities category consisted of “diversity of sports activities” and “access to sports facilities,” while the health and wellness dimension encompassed “recreation and entertainment” and “physical health” as the most influential factors supporting family sports tourism development. The findings indicate that successful development of family sports tourism requires an integrated focus on economic infrastructure, technological capacities, socio-cultural resources, sports facilities, and health-oriented opportunities. The interaction of these dimensions can enhance family participation in recreational and sports activities, strengthen family relationships, improve physical and psychological well-being, enrich leisure experiences, and contribute to sustainable tourism development. Therefore, policymakers and tourism planners should adopt a multidimensional strategy that promotes sports-based family tourism as a mechanism for social, economic, and public health advancement.