Mid Sweden University

Immigrant-receiving societies, like Sweden, underscore the importance of immigrant integrationinto mainstream life. While integration through leisure activities and outdoor recreation has beena focal point in Europe (Gentin, 2011), academic research on this aspect is lacking in Sweden. This is significant given Sweden's strong social and economic ties to outdoor activities. Sweden, renowned for its vast forests and natural environment, places importance on outdoor recreational activities, winter sports, and international events. Major sports events not only impact regional economies but also contribute to positive social outcomes, including a sense of pride and improved quality of life (Wallstam et al., 2020). The popularity of outdoor activities among Swedes, with one in three Swedes ages 6-80 engage in sports (Idrottsstatistik, 2022) and one-third in outdoor recreation (Public Health Agency for Sweden, 2018), make the mintegral to daily life. Sports and outdoor activities serve as potential avenues for immigrants to connect with natives, acting as social bridges for integration (Ekholm, 2019; Elbe et al., 2018). Previous research highlights the potential for integration through events and leisure activities, with factors such as race (Qian & Cobas, 2004), and cultural differences (Kalmijn & Tubergen, 2006) influencing cross-group interactions. This study focuses on the social integration of immigrants in Jämtland County, Sweden, exploring socially sustainable tourism perspectives, social capital (Putnam, 1993), and integration frameworks (Ndofor-Tah et al., 2019). Insights from 34 immigrants reveal events as potent settings for building interactions and networks. However, the study emphasizes that time and active involvement in events are fundamental for integration, placing a substantial responsibility on immigrants. Moreover, the study reveals that immigrants perceive events differently from other leisure activities, particularly sports, underscoring a significant and multifaceted information gap. Recognizing the distinctive role and importance of events in their social lives during the post-immigration period is crucial, calling for increased awareness among both immigrants and relevant stakeholders.