The OLI Sports Tourism Field Study Project, developed in collaboration with the Department of Marketing & Communication at the Athens University of Economics and Business, marked an important milestone in connecting higher education with the rapidly evolving sports tourism industry. Delivered as part of the Tourism Marketing course, the initiative was highly successful, offering students the opportunity to work on a real business challenge while exploring one of the fastest-growing sectors of global tourism.
Throughout the project, student teams were tasked with analyzing OLI Sports Tourism’s service offerings and had to develop strategic recommendations that could support the company’s future growth. By combining academic research with practical industry insights, participants examined topics including tourism marketing, digital innovation, sustainability, market expansion and service development.
The project concluded with a final presentation event, where each team presented its strategic recommendations before a panel assessment committee consisting of representatives from OLI Sports Tourism. The quality of the proposals exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong analytical thinking, creativity, and a clear understanding of contemporary tourism trends. The wide variety of ideas and the strategic depth of the presentations made the evaluation process particularly competitive, reflecting the students’ commitment and professionalism throughout the project.
Throughout the semester and during the competition finale, Mr. Ioannis Mostrios, CEO & Founder of OLI Sports Tourism, and Mr. Panagiotis Kratimenos, Director of Marketing, actively supported and guided the students, delivering lectures on Tourism Marketing and assisting with the progress of their assignments. For OLI Sports Tourism, the collaboration served as a platform for meaningful knowledge exchange, where academic excellence and industry expertise came together to generate forward-looking ideas for the future of sports tourism.
The successful completion of the Field Study Project further strengthened the relationship between OLI Sports Tourism and AUEB, reinforcing a collaboration built on innovation, knowledge exchange, and continuous development for both sides. Through partnerships with leading academic institutions, OLI continues to support initiatives that encourage strategic thinking, creativity, and a deeper understanding of the future of tourism.
