The Algarve is set to register a record year for golf in the region according to the director of the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA), Dora Coelho.
Golf is hugely important for the Algarve, bringing in much needed revenue, especially during the low and winter months and currently the Algarve represents around 70% of the national total of golf rounds in Portugal.
The popularity of golf in the Algarve continues to grow and following a record breaking year in 2016, where there were close to 1.3 million rounds played during the year, representing a 10% increase when compared to 2015.
According to figures from the Algarve Tourism Association, the official entity responsible for promoting tourism in the region to foreign markets, a total of 1.7 million rounds of golf is expected to be registered this year in the Algarve and this would represent an increase of 4.6% compared to 2016.
Dora Coelho said: “We believe that by the end of the year we will have hit a new record for rounds of golf played in the Algarve. We have seen exponential growth in the industry since we began registering the numbers in 2014 and this growth validates the effectiveness of our promotional strategy and the persistence and resilience of the industry over the past few difficult years.”
Golf has a massive strategic importance in the Algarve and is responsible for contributing to the number of foreign visitors who visit the region, especially during the low season and as an alternative for the “sun and sea” holidays that have traditionally attracted visitors to the Algarve.
Dora Coelho added: “With more than 40 golf courses scattered throughout the region, and all boasting different characteristics, the Algarve is uniquely placed to offer golfers an incredible choice which has helped to make it the number one golf destination in Europe.
“The fantastic infrastructure and good climate throughout the year are also key in attracting golfers to the Algarve.”
Wherever you choose to stay in the Algarve you are only ever a short distance from a golf course, making the Algarve a haven for anyone looking to enjoy golf in the sunshine.
