The April 2012 poll by KPMG reveals that golf tourism is again on the increase, bouncing back from the economic downturn.
According to the Golf Travel Insights report, 60% of golf tour operators experienced an increase in the number of golf breaks booked in 2011, compared to 38% in 2010. Similarly, just 12% of tour operators reported a decrease in bookings in 2011 compared to 54% the year before.
While North America maintains a strong domestic golf travel market, Argentina and the Dominican Republic are becoming popular outbound tourism destinations for US citizens, tour operators reported.
The poll reveals that golfers from the USA and Canada, the UK, Scandinavia (predominantly Sweden) and Germany remain the biggest golf travelers.
KPMG also found that golfers spend significantly more on a holiday than regular leisure tourists, typically EUR600-900 on a four to seven-night golf break. More than a third of these breaks (35%) are group bookings of 8-12 people.
Andrea Sartori, head of KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice in EMA, says there is price sensitivity in the market and some popular destinations have had to reduce their prices to maintain competitiveness.
“The quality of the golf courses is the most important factor for a consumer when choosing a destination, but the package price is now almost equally important,” he explained.
Andrea Sartori added: “The outlook among golf tour operators is generally positive, with nearly three-quarters of those surveyed anticipating growth in the coming year.”
The survey, published by KPMG’s Golf Advisory Practice, included the feedback of 90 golf tour operators in 35 countries, most of which are based in Europe. The results are seen as indicators of the golf travel industry’s performance and outlook.
For more information, and to download the report, visit: www.golfbusinesscommunity.com