A thousand professionals who pull the strings of golf tourism set strategies in Malaga

Pilar Martínez

Málaga

Golf is one of the aces of the Costa del Sol tourism industry. It is an industry that generates 5,456 million euros in ... Andalusian destinations. This figure is expected to increase following the largest continental meeting that began this Tuesday at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga of the international golf operators association, the IAGTO European Convention (IEC). An event that has gathered in the capital of the Costa del Sol a thousand professionals from this sector from 54 countries and after which an increase of 30 million euros in golf tourism sales in the region over the next three years is expected, according to data provided by the Ministry of Tourism.

The opening of this congress was attended by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior in office, Yolanda de Aguilar, who highlighted that golf "constitutes a segment with great capacity to generate stable employment, quality economic activity and opportunities throughout the year." She also added that it helps to fix population, invigorate territories and reduce seasonality. "This traveler is one of the most valuable tourist profiles, with an average daily expenditure of 352 euros per international visitor," she specified.

For his part, the CEO of IAGTO, Peter Walton, stated that this meeting "has firmly established itself as the most important golf tourism trade event in Europe and Málaga has once again proven to be the perfect host destination." He also confirmed IAGTO's long-term commitment to Andalusia, where it will host the 2028, 2030, and 2032 editions. "The association's goal is to offer the most productive professional golf tourism event each year, and the continuous growth of the convention demonstrates both the strength of the global golf travel industry and the enduring appeal of Andalusia and the Costa del Sol as top international golf tourism destinations," he points out.

5,456

are the millions that the golf industry generates in Andalusia, according to data from the Regional Government of Andalusia.

During these sessions, the thousand professionals meeting in Málaga maintain business contacts and participate in a program of talks and lectures on the challenges of the sector to set strategies that will shape the future. In addition, a familiarization trip has been scheduled along with about forty international operators that includes tours through different tourist enclaves and golf courses in the provinces of Málaga and Cádiz, which is the area in Europe with the highest concentration of facilities for enjoying this sport. The forum, in which the Ministry of Tourism and Andalusia Exterior, Turismo Costa del Sol, and the City Council of Málaga collaborate, will generate, according to the organization, a direct economic impact of about two million euros, along with the increase in sales forecasted for the coming years.

It should be noted that the IEC has the presence of 348 delegates from operators from 42 countries, 31% more than in its last edition in Málaga, who have scheduled more than 11,000 business appointments with professionals and representatives of the European offer of the segment, including golf courses, hotels, receptive companies, and other entities. Regarding the origin of the buyers, about 20% are from the United Kingdom, the main international market in the forum, followed by Germany and the Nordic senders. Also present are about 70 representatives from North American operators and about twenty from Asia and the Pacific.

At the opening, De Aguilar reminded that Andalusia "has managed to position itself as one of the great international references of golf thanks to a combination difficult to match, with more than a hundred courses, about 53,000 affiliated players and an offer that brings together unique conditions, experience and talent." She highlighted the profile of this visitor, who she said is not only looking for a good course but also well-being, authentic experiences, real sustainability, and combining sport with gastronomy, rest, nature, and culture. And she highlighted "the effort of the sector and the administrations to ensure that its growth is sustainable socially, economically, and environmentally." In this regard, she referred to the investment of the courses in "efficiency, reuse of regenerated waters, technological modernization, and environmental sustainability." An industry that she estimated has an economic impact of 5,456 million euros at the destination.

Also, Turismo Costa del Sol has highlighted the recent recognition received by the Costa del Sol as the Best European Golf Destination 2025, an award given by professionals in the international tourism industry. The entity has emphasized the strategic importance of golf tourism within the province's tourism model and its contribution to deseasonalization and attracting high economic impact visitors. Esperanza González, CEO of Turismo Costa del Sol, has pointed out that "the Costa del Sol has consolidated itself as one of the great European and global references of golf tourism thanks to a combination of infrastructure, connectivity, hotel quality, and complementary offer." She also stressed that "the recognition as the Best European Golf Destination 2025 represents an extraordinary satisfaction for the entire Malaga and Andalusian tourism sector."

• More topics
• Golf
• Tourism
• Costa del Sol
• Andalusia
• Málaga