More and more people are teeing off at Algarve golf courses.
Data from the Algarve Tourism Association (ATA) shows that the number of rounds played this year increased 6.1% compared to the same period in 2014.
This translates into over 602,000 rounds of golf played in the region by the end of June.
March was the best month with a total of 128,163 rounds played. April followed (123,932) and was the month that improved the most compared to last year (+12.8%).
Executive director of ATA Dora Coelho is delighted by the news, saying “our golf courses stand out for being located in distinctive places, having excellent infrastructures and qualified professionals.”
Coelho explained that most visiting golfers come from the UK, Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden, and are considered “quality tourists” who have “spend a lot of money in the Algarve” and are lured by the region’s “excellent year-long weather”.
Although still struggling with its 23% VAT rate levy, Coelho added that golf is one of the attractions that ATA tries its best to promote.
A flagship event is the Portugal Masters, which will take place between October 15 and 18 and feature some of the world’s biggest golfing stars, she added.
Other events include the EDGA Algarve Open, a competition that brings together the world’s best disabled golfers and will take place in November.
