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Sports transcend boundaries and borders, becoming a pivotal factor for travelers when selecting their destinations, offering tourists distinctive and memorable experiences. Our Brand Manager, Carlos Ramírez, delineates the sector’s rapid growth and our contribution to its expansion through a range of personalized soccer programs available year-round.
The World Tourism Organization states that sports tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry. What factors do you believe contribute to this growth?
There are several factors which contribute to the rapid growth of sports tourism. The increasing popularity of sports globally has led to a rise in interest from travelers seeking to participate in or witness sporting events firsthand.
On the other hand, the desire for unique and memorable experiences drives individuals to incorporate sports into their travel plans, thus contributing to the sector’s growth. In many cases, sports have indeed become the deciding factor when choosing a travel destination, whether it’s to participate in an event, attend a game, visit a team’s stadium, and so on. This reason has turned sports into a significant attraction factor that enables certain tourist destinations to draw in new travelers and enhance their international brand.
And how sustainable do you think this growth is?
Major sports brands and competitions have achieved global recognition, transcending geographical boundaries to captivate audiences globally. With sports properties increasingly striving to extend their reach beyond national borders, the potential for sustained growth is enormous.
According to a study by the Barcelona Tourism Observatory, sports tourism accounts for nearly 20% of all visitors to the city. What’s ISL’s participation in this statistic?
The ISL Experience Team hosts various BSE (Barcelona Soccer Experience) trips each year for young soccer players from the US. During the current season, we will host a total of 5 BSE sessions for boys and 2 sessions which are exclusive for girls. Our partnership with FC Barcelona enhances the authenticity and appeal of these experiences, making us a key player in driving sports tourism to the city. Since 2015, over 6,000 young boys and girls and more than 15,000 people overall have traveled to Barcelona as part of our soccer programs, including players and families. The number of travelers continues to increase every year.
In which other cities does the Experience Department organize experiences?
Apart from Barcelona, the ISL Experience Department organizes other soccer experience programs in iconic cities like Madrid, Manchester, Lisbon, and Paris, among others. These destinations offer rich sporting heritage and vibrant cultures, providing travelers with immersive and unforgettable experiences beyond the pitch. We are also present in some of the most important youth soccer tournaments which offer our players the chance to test their level among the best in a competitive environment.
From your point of view, what is the main thing players coming via Futbol First look forward to in their trip?
In my opinion, what players and families traveling with Futbol First are seeking is to live a unique sports experience in every way. From experiencing training sessions with the best academies, such as FC Barcelona’s, and watching their team and idols play live, to facing local teams in friendly matches that allow them to test their level and enhance their experience. In addition to this, our trips always incorporate a cultural element through guided tours, which add an educational component that we consider key to providing a comprehensive experience.
How do football clubs benefit from sports tourism? Which new opportunities and revenue sources open up?
Football clubs benefit from sports tourism in various ways. Firstly, it allows clubs to expand their global fan base by engaging with supporters from different regions through international tours, friendlies, and fan experiences. Additionally, sports tourism opens up new revenue streams through ticket sales, merchandise purchases, sponsorships, and partnerships, further enhancing the club’s financial sustainability and brand recognition.
ISL has been tapping into this sector for many years now. How do you assess the Experience Department’s evolution over the past decade?
Over the past decade, the ISL Experience department has evolved significantly. We have refined our trip itineraries, diversified our destination portfolio, and incorporated innovative internal changes to streamline operations and deliver unparalleled service to our clients. Our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, with special attention to detail, ensures that ISL remains a leader in sports tourism, providing transformative experiences for players and families alike.
How is the preparation for the new season coming along? What can we expect?
At the moment, we are working on the updates for the upcoming season, which for us begins in mid-June. Looking ahead to next year, our focus is on continuously incorporating innovations into our programs to offer an even better service and provide an enhanced experience for our clients. In this regard, we believe it is very important to listen to the opinions of the players and families who travel with us each year to understand what they like most and where they see room for improvement. This ongoing dialogue with our clients serves as the guiding principle to achieve excellence in everything we do.
Read Pere Segarra’s, our director of talent relationship, take on the current player market, the skills a Professional Player must have to thrive, and the importance of mental health in the football industry.
The market is on fire, especially in MLS. There have been two-star signings for LAFC: Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and Giorgio Bellnini (Juventus), two European legends who will make a difference in this league.
And as for Europe, there have been several star signings such as Halaan, who has signed with Manchester City, and Pogba’s return to Juve.
Many American players have the potential to enter the European market.
European clubs are interested in having young American promises to make the club grow in the United States, it is a good marketing tool, and obviously, the talent in the United States is increasing.
2. What skills should have a Tandhem player to represent him?
We mainly value the player’s professionalism and his commitment to his career. We also highly value the player’s projection and talent, but his dedication is critical.
You must be mentally strong and aware that there will be times that are tougher than others. We also consider his education and his closest environment, which are a support rather than a burden on his way.
3. And regarding mental health, is it essential that high-performance athletes take care of it?
Mental health is a taboo subject among footballers, which is not talked about enough, and it is the key and the big difference between a professional and non-professional player.
I recommend it to any player who feels that he doesn’t know how to handle pressure well, criticism, who has more negative thoughts than usual…
Certain players are affected much more than others, and due to their ego, they prefer to keep this fight quiet, and all they do is harm themselves.
Resorting to professionals will always provide a more significant improvement than any advice from someone who is not specialized.
4. Do the big teams consider physical and mental health when they are interested in a player?
Yes, both aspects are of vital importance for the clubs. The scouts of any club monitor not only the player on the field, but also his mental state, which I mentioned before: his environment, family, education…
The clubs have it very present. They discard the player if they believe that the player is confrontational or will not fit in well in the locker room because of his behavior.
Talent is what weighs the most in the balance, but each case must be taken into account individually.
On a physical level, they also study if the player has any irregularity that could cause future injuries or reduce his performance. Many millions are invested for each footballer, and the team takes care of even the smallest detail so that the operation is successful.
After a forced two year break due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, ISL resumes its events and sports travelling activities to the UK. We are extremely excited to return to the home of soccer!
“We can finally return to the UK since this program offers different activities and experiences to our programs in Spain. I am very satisfied with the team’s great work, since October we have had 6 events during the toughest moments of the pandemic and the peak of the Omicron variant. That is not easy at all and it is due to the great work of the Experiences team.” – says Achille Obougou, Director of Travel Management.
Players and their families will join Team ISL on its return to the British Isles for an unforgettable nine-day experience visiting London and Manchester.
The players will train at Manchester City’s facilities with Manchester City´s official coaches and compete in friendlies against other teams. They will also train at West Ham´s training grounds for a day.
Players and families will enjoy exclusive tours of the Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford in Manchester, as well as two Premier League games. They will be lucky enough to watch World Champions Chelsea take on Crystal Palace on Saturday and Manchester United battle Watford next weekend.
Outdoor and cultural activities are planned for players and families to explore these two soccer hungry cities. More exciting surprises await our guests and we can´t wait for you to arrive!
The ISL team has been working hard to offer better travel experiences, prioritizing the players’ and families’ safety at all times.
This season, ISL has 20 sport events lined up in 5 different locations.
Stay tuned for more information about our soccer experiences! @team_isl
For many the Christmas season is a time to take a break from the busyness of the year and relax with family and loved ones. For others, it’s the chance to experience a once in a lifetime trip to Barcelona with their extended futsal family, all the while taking in rich Spanish culture and showcasing their indoor prowess by playing against the highest level of international competition.
If you didn’t know already, futsal is quickly becoming one of the fastest growing youth sports in America, for boys and girls, and beyond that the U.S. is producing some of the best talent in the world.
As a global sports marketing company, with a heavy focus on soccer, we pride ourselves in being involved in this alternative to the beautiful game, additionally running two successful futsal academies in Austin, TX and Charlotte, NC as part of our portfolio, spearheaded by ISL Director, Adam Brundle.
In the world of Futsal ISL has quickly aligned itself with the game’s heavy hitters, including the USYF and Keith Tozer – the Commissioner of the Professional Futsal League. It was through this relationship that the idea of putting on a trip together for a sizable group of boys and girls in conjunction with USYF to Barcelona was birthed. This is no easy feat, but the task of seasoned professionals like our Travel Management and Experience Team, headed up by Achille Obougou.
From the planning stages to the execution, it all came and went in the blink of an eye. Over the course of 10 days, 250 plus players and family members made the inaugural USYF/ISL joint international trip from different parts of the U.S. to the Catalonian city of Barcelona. Aside from being a highly immersive training and competitive playing trip, where the USYF played the likes of the Catalan National team, players and guests had the chance to take in the historical sights, take an all access tour of Camp Nou, dine at the many wonderful eateries around the city, but best of all they all had the great fortune of being able to participate in a FC Barcelona Futsal – First Team practice, as well as the chance to meet their heroes and grab pictures with them.
“From the time we landed in Barcelona until the time we headed back to the States, the ISL team had seamlessly organized and executed a non-stop, fun and action packed itinerary for the players and family members.” – Keith Tozer. He added, “We are very excited about the partnership the USYF have with ISL, and look forward to many trips together in the near future.”
What better way to feel the Holiday Spirit than to give back to our communities, and help those in need. This was the vision when putting together the ISL Foundation Holiday Kickoff Charity Food Drive. ISL Foundation exists to improve our communities through the power of sport, and during the holidays this is even more important.
In total, the Academies and Experience Trips collected and donated over 1,000 pounds of goods to local charitable organizations. We’d like to thank all players, coaches, directors and families for helping ISL Foundation improving our communities through sport. Lastly, we thank the Salvation Army, Loaves and Fishes, the Greater Chicago Food Depository and every organization for their help and all that they do not just during the Holidays, but all year.
October 30, 2019
This month, ISL Travel Management, with the support and aid from players and families traveling from the United States, have began an initiative to help aid our environment. Every little bit can help keep our environment clean and help avoid waste. ISL understand this, and have taken steps towards doing their part during international trips.
The initiative was introduced at the beginning of October during our second ever all girls international experience trip, and continued during our Barcelona Experience Trip at the end of October. During training, games or cultural activities, ISL staff worked to emphasize and educate players on the importance of taking care of the locations they were visiting, and how every bit of help goes a long way towards helping their environment. Players and families helped clean up beaches, training facilities, and accommodations. Most importantly, as the players need to constantly rehydrate during their soccer training or games, water bottles were recycled or re-used throughout the trip.
The major hopes of our initiative is that the young players leave the trip with a sense of pride in taking care of their environment, and gain an education in the importance of being conscious about their footprint, even when they are playing hard and having fun! The initiative was so widely welcomed, that all international sports trips in the future will continue the recycling program, and help build a better future!
Over a 10 day trip, 90 girls from across the United States experienced the second international all girls clinic put together by ISL’s Travel Management team. During the trip, players immerse themselves into European soccer lifestyle, as well as learn the value of experiencing international cultures. While playing in competitive matches, the clinic participants represent ISL’s unique on field brand, Team ISL. Players train in world class soccer facilities, compete against European academies, learn from the teachings of leaders in the game, and explored the beautiful culture of Barcelona.
During the trip, FC Barcelona Femini, one of the most successful Spanish Womens Soccer Teams of all time, were gracious enough to take time out of their training for a meet and greet with the girls clinic participants. International stars like Marta Torrejon and Stefani Van Der Gragt gave some words of inspiration, and took photos. It was a special moment which the clinic players will remember forever.
Not only was there a girls clinic going on, but ISL Travel Management was also leading a clinic for 35 of the top boys players around the country. ISL were executing 2 clinics over the same 10 day period. As our Travel Management Team continues to grow, more opportunities like this will continue to be a reality.
In Barcelona, Spain today, FC Barcelona Femení, one of the most successful Spanish Women’s soccer teams, took time after training to meet with an all girls soccer group that ISL Travel Management were managing during a Sports Trip throughout the historic Catalan city. Major Women’s soccer stars like Marta Torrejón, and Stefani Van Der Gragt met with the girls soccer players to provide words of encouragement and to hopefully inspire them to further greatness! We’d like to thank FC Barcelona Femeni and their players for helping create this special moment.
This week it was announced that United States Youth Futsal (USYF), the highest level of youth Futsal, have partnered with ISL to help execute future international Futsal trip management. The partnership, beginning in 2019, signifies the first time ISL Travel Management will provide services to Futsal athletes, and are excited to enter an agreement with a great organization like USYF. ISL have become leaders in sports Travel Planning for large groups, and are thrilled USYF have trusted us with its travel needs. ISL Travel Management will be taking care of accommodations, flights, cultural activities, training, and competition opportunities against European opposition.
Players and families from from across the country will be heading to Barcelona for the trip. Talented Futsal players between the ages of 10-14 begin the selection process during more localized State ID events. Those players selected from their State ID are then eligible for the National ID event in Kansas, where the talent pool is narrowed down to a select group who will compete in Europe during an International Futsal Experience. The rigorous selection process yielded invitations to 108 of the best Futsal players around the country, and will bring the unique experience of players competing internationally alongside fellow players from the other side of the country.
It’s the beginning of hundreds of memories around the United States, and creating connections across the country through the power of sport.
On August 17th, ISL partnered with BCN Sports from Toronto, Canada to provide Travel Management services for a unique sports trip to Europe. For the first time, ISL’s Travel Management team partnered with a Canadian group in executing all travel needs during an international trip. The group will be be enjoying the trip until August 26th.
Travel Management aided in customer services, travel logistics, cultural activities, and setting up elite playing opportunities in Spain. Our partner, BCN Sports, is an organization committed to delivering top quality sports and educational programs for young athletes. From soccer camps and academies in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand and China, they offer a wide range of programs to players interested in developing themselves as players and as individuals. Our partners relied on our ability to execute a seamless experience for their group.
ISL continue to build strong relationships around the world with clubs and organizations. We look forward to helping others achieve their Travel Management goals. Our Travel Management team provides sport trip experiences around the world for groups of all cultural backgrounds, and we couldn’t be more proud of the execution of a truly professional team.
