A new study of European golfers reveals that Spain remains the number one tourist destination for visitors from the UK, France, Germany, and Scandinavia, with over 28% of respondents having played golf in the country in the past 12 months.
The results are part of the study “European Spotlight on Golf Tourism to Spain,” commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, organizers of the IGTM (November 11-14, 2013, Costa Dorada, Catalonia, Spain), and produced by SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC.
Top Golf Destinations in Spain
- 28.5% of golfers traveled to Spain to play.
12.7% chose the Costa del Sol.
3.9% visited the Costa Brava.
3.2% played in the Canary Islands.
8.7% went to other areas.
Comparison with Other Destinations
17% choose Portugal.
16.1% visit Great Britain and Ireland.
7.5% travel to Turkey.
7.1% prefer France.
6.9% take golf trips to the USA.
Key Facts about Golf Tourism in Spain
- The average duration of a golf trip to Spain is 7 nights.
- Golfers prefer to stay in 4- and 5-star hotels.
- The average daily expenditure is:
- €170 (British golfers).
- €230 (Scandinavian golfers).
- They book between 5 and 6 rounds of golf per trip.
- They play on up to 4 different golf courses in a week.
Preferences by Nationality
- British and Scandinavians prefer the Costa del Sol.
- French choose the Costa Brava.
- Germans are distributed among several regions, including the Canary Islands.
Expert Statements
Peter Grimster, Director of IGTM, stated:
“This latest study demonstrates that Spain remains at the heart of the European golf tourism industry and illustrates why thousands of golfers continue to place its golf regions at the top of their travel destination lists.”
Entre los factores clave que mantienen a España como líder destacan:
Variety and quality of golf courses.
High standards of accommodation.
Year-round favorable weather.
Peter adds:
With Spain hosting this year’s IGTM, we will welcome a large number of representatives from across the country, including 100 centers, clubs, and tourism offices, showcasing the world’s best golf resorts, as well as Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.”
Golf Growth on the Costa Dorada
- Three years ago, less than 2% of rounds on the Gold Coast were played by international golfers.
- Today, that figure has grown by 30% and continues to rise.
Upcoming IGTM 2013
- A summary of the report with more detailed data will be presented at IGTM.
- Location: PortAventura Convention Centre, Costa Dorada, Catalonia, Spain.
- Dates: November 11-14, 2013.
Download the full report at:
www.sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com
Note: This article was published in 2013 and contains historical context. For the most up-to-date golf tourism statistics, please refer to official IAGTO reports.
