Foreign golfing breaks on the rise in Europe

Golfers in four key European markets take more golf breaks now than they did in 2009, according to new research. The survey, commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), was conducted with core golfers (those playing at least twelve times a year) in the largest European golf markets: France, Germany, Sweden and the UK.

The research, conducted on behalf of IGTM by Sports Marketing Surveys Inc in September 2014, found at least 50 percent of golfers in France (54 percent) and Germany (50 percent) take more golf breaks now than in 2009, while the figures for Sweden and the UK were 47 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The findings also indicate that Spain, continues to be the first choice of golf destination in each of the country’s surveyed with at least 30 percent of golfers from France (30 percent), Sweden (42 percent) and the UK (36 percent), having been to Spain for a golf break in the last 12 months. The second most popular golf destination for golfers surveyed in the UK and Sweden was Portugal with 23 percent and 13 percent respectively, while for the French it was Morocco (18 percent) and for Germans it was Austria (18 percent).

Commenting on the findings, IGTM Exhibition Manager, Peter Grimster, said: “The findings demonstrate the buoyant state of golf tourism at the present time and the opportunities for tour operators to sell to an audience of core golfers who are travelling for golf more frequently.”