24.10.2023
Portugal named ‘World's Best Golf Destination’ at the World Golf Awards
Portugal was recognised as the ‘World's Best Golf Destination’ at the World Golf Awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi, reaffirming its position as ‘Europe's Best Golf Destination’ for the second year running. This success is due to the integrated tourism offer, accessibility, quality infrastructure and excellent value for money, thus consolidating the golf sector as an important contributor to national tourism.
Portugal was honoured as the "World's Best Golf Destination" at the 10th edition of the World Golf Awards, at a ceremony held in Abu Dhabi which reaffirmed our country as "Europe's Best Golf Destination" for the second year running, thus consolidating the excellence of golf tourism at national level. This double honour had already been achieved between 2014 and 2018.
Portugal's success as a golf destination can be attributed to the provision of an integrated tourist experience, good air and land accessibility, exceptional hospitality, high-quality sports and hotel infrastructures that cater for different profiles of players (whether professionals or amateurs), and excellent value for money. Portugal currently has 89 golf courses spread across the seven tourist regions, with a particular focus on the Algarve, Lisbon and Porto and the North. As a consolidated tourism product recognised internationally, demand in the first half of 2023 reached record figures, surpassing those recorded in the same period of 2019 (one of Portugal's best tourism years) and 2022. The average number of rounds played by foreign players rose by more than 13 per cent compared to 2019 and 14 per cent compared to 2022.
Golf, traditionally associated with tourists with high purchasing power, contributes to an increase in tourist revenue and the expansion of tourist activity throughout the year and throughout the territory, converging with what is defined in the 20-27 Tourism Strategy.
Mindful of environmental issues and committed to sustainability, the golf sector in Portugal is adopting responsible practices to preserve the distinctive assets that characterise the country as a destination. To this end, strategies are underway to increase water efficiency, improve waste and energy management and reduce the use of plastic on golf courses. This set of actions and initiatives, launched under the partnership established with the Portuguese Golf Federation and the National Council of the Golf Industry, has consolidated the golf industry as an important partner in the implementation of Turismo de Portugal's sustainability strategy.
The World Golf Awards are voted for by golf industry professionals from over 100 countries and are part of the World Travel Awards.
Source: Turismo de Portugal
