Golf in Spain

[HainanWel.com(e)!]

Costa Dorada is transformed into the grounds of golf

Golf on the Costa Dorada in recent years successfully developed. Thanks to foreigners this tourist segment remains active throughout the year, especially during the winter months. For the president of the association «Costa Daurada destinació de Golf i Pitch & Putt» Anhelya Lopisa explanation is simple: "From 365 days a year of 363 days is appropriate for the game."

Besides the excellent weather conditions for golfers Costa Dorada offers five excellent golf within 30 kilometers. In addition, the district has two dozen companies catering, hotel and transport sector, directly to those who walk in the "golf-sector", which today covers 1% of the tourist flow Costa Dorada.

According to the association, which represents Angel Lopis in 2012 were sold 15250 golf tours, last year ended with the index 47400 rounds, but only for the first four months of this year, the figure reached 20 thousand. Goal of our association is to reach the figure of 100 thousand. within 3-4 years. And for this purpose it is necessary to continue the work, especially among the Scandinavian, German and French tourists, as competition from experienced foreign golf clubs is very big.

The turning point in this sector occurred in 2008, when the golf club «Lumine» opened the field with 45 holes in PortAventura and this diversified offer, allowing local travel agents to represent Costa Dorada as a place for the best golfers.

Another powerful impetus to the development of this sector has become a Fair «International Golf Travel Market», held in November last year, which attracted more than 1,200 tour operators from 60 countries. "Events of this magnitude we have never held", - says the head of the Patronage of Tourism of the Provincial Council of Tarragona Oktavi Bono.

Profile client golf tourism on the Costa Dorada is a upper-middle class, he is older than 40 years, and spends about $ 180 per day. Basically a client arrives without a family, his stay is about 7 days, 4-5 of which he dedicates to the game.

Golfers generally go on the Costa Dorada of the Nordic countries, the UK, Germany and France. They are looking to the Mediterranean climate, which is not present in their countries.

"I see the future of golf tourism zone", - said the assistant Bono, Cesar Burger, which, in this context, recalls the special promotions for women and children's summer courses, combining the practice of golf with the English language.

However, in recent years, the sector recorded a decline of 15-20% in the number of domestic customers. And this decline has forced reconsideration of the strategy in many golf clubs.

After 4-5 years of complex crisis elite Costa Dorada is changing its philosophy. "A lot of people refused to golf because of the crisis, and we want them to come back to us again. We are reviewing the conditions, "- said General Manager and Head PGA (organizer of the main male professional golf tours) Ian Williams.

Now, in addition to the annual quota, a member of the club can purchase the right to play for a period of 5 to 10 years. In addition, introduced new semiannual, and weekly passes are intended for foreigners.

After the introduction of the new commercial policy, the club with more than 20 years of history and landscape design, designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., was able to increase fees by 10%.