Sport Tourism in the “D”: New Sport Venues and the Lodging Industry

Abstract

Sport’s potential contribution to urban regeneration is particularly important for cities such as Detroit, Michigan. This study examines the relationship between events in Detroit’s three sport venues and tourism, including before and after the opening of a new arena in 2017 and the relocation of a franchise to the new venue from the suburbs. Guided by central place theory and destination attractiveness, we examine spatial and temporal growth and supply and demand for short-term rentals and hotel data on event days. Econometric models indicate that sport events at the new arena are not associated with a significant increase in demand as opposed to other cultural and sport events. We cannot determine whether growth in the city’s hospitality industry would grow as much without the new arena and propose that other potential factors need to be assessed to identify how the arena impacts tourism and hospitality such as the city’s image.