Portugal top golf destination
17 September 2008
The influential Association of Independent Tour Operators this week described Portugal as "one of the world's best year-round destinations for golfing holidays".
A spokesman for the Association told reporters that the Algarve is a "particular favourite" and that the region is venue to some of the densest concentrations of high quality golf courses in Europe. A further advantage highlighted by the AITO spokesman for golfing tourists visiting Portugal is its number of courses and near-perfect weather.
"The area has developed an infrastructure to cater specifically for golfing enthusiasts - from dedicated staff handling golfing queries at hotels to shuttle bus services taking guests to courses", AITO said.
Holidaymakers looking for a golf holiday with a difference were advised to visit top courses located in Estoril, Cascais and Sintra.
In 2007, the country won the International Association of Golf Tour Operators award. The Algarve was also voted best established golf destination in the world in 2006, receiving the golf tourism industry's most prestigious award.
International Golf Travel Market, which hands out the awards each year, is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry, comprising more than 860 companies in 66 countries, including over 240 specialist golf tour operators in 38 countries, and found the Algarve to be the best on offer anywhere in the world.
Golf is estimated to attract more than 300,000 visitors each year to the Algarve, who in turn generate an income in the region of close to 400 million euros, with three-quarters of this total spent away from the golf course. The number of rounds of golf in the region now also totals around one million each year.
Portugal currently boasts nearly 70 high-quality golf courses, which have played host to some of the world's top competitions.
After staging the World Cup, the Portugal Masters returns to Vilamoura next October. With prize money in excess of 3 million euros, the world's top golfers will once again be returning to Portugal, with Padraig Harrington, the British Open and US PGA Championship defending champion, confirming he will be in the Algarve next month in the hope of ending 2008 on a high note.