Golf travel 'bouncing back'

A new report on golf tourism has suggested it is seeing something of a renaissance after a few lean years - and people catching ferries from Portsmouth to Santander may agree.

Visitors to Spain may also be increasingly looking to the golf course, according to the report by KPMG's Golf Advisory Practice.

Andrea Sartori, the head of the practices, said a recent decline in this form of tourism is set to be reversed as the cost of enjoying such activities has been lowered by providers on the Iberian Peninsula.

"Our survey shows there is price sensitivity in the market and the popular destinations of Spain and Portugal have had to reduce their prices to maintain competitiveness," she remarked.

This means that those catching ferries to Spain - where they can enjoy some rather warmer temperatures and more reliable sunshine than Britain while whacking a small white ball towards a hole - can do so for less and this may make for a great bargain holiday.

According to the report, this price competitiveness is helping Spain and Portugal stay ahead of the UK and Ireland as golf tourism destinations at present.

Ms Sartori commented that price is now an "equally important" factor those going on such trips consider to the quality of the courses.

The expense of packages in the two countries fell between ten and 20 per cent in 2011, in contrast with rising prices of between 30 and 50 per cent in Asia.

However, some Britons may like to travel to Northern Ireland this summer to see some golf.

That is because this year offers a chance to enjoy the Northern Ireland Open at Royal Portrush, with no less than three Ulstermen with major tournament wins under their belt taking part.

Among them is local boy and 2010 US Masters winner Graeme McDowell, alongside Open champion Darren Clarke and 2011 US Open winner and world number one Rory McIlroy.

It takes place between June 28th and July 1st.

Posted by Mark Robinson

Tanger Med - Algeciras

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