Transformations and Strategies of the Sports Tourism Industry During the Covid-19 Epidemic

This study aimed to identify the implications of Covid-19 on sports tourism and to provide appropriate strategies. The research paradigm is interpretive, its nature is exploratory, the approach is inductive, the research method is qualitative, the research strategy is the thematic analysis and the data collection was performed using targeted library study and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Data were collected from two groups of related text and informed people. Sampling was done based on theoretical saturation and purposeful manner (8 informed people and 17 articles). Holsti’s PAO method was used to measure reliability, which was approved. The thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. The effects of Covid-19 on sports tourism were 67 basic themes, 13 organizing themes, and 3 global themes.  52 basic codes, 7 organizing themes, and 2 global themes were identified as strategies to deal with these effects. Based on the findings, it can be stated that along with the changes caused by Covid-19, the sports tourism industry needs change in its approach and operations. This research proposes strategies to make these changes that will lead to the restoration of sports tourism.