Selling an enriched Spanish golf holiday – courtesy of world-renowned Catalan cuisine, striking Mediterranean scenery, blue flag beaches and historic Roman attractions – the region is attracting travellers who wish to play championship golf courses and experience a warm and lively culture.
Costa Daurada, on Spain’s North East coast, is demonstrating its potential to become a leading golf destination in Europe. Following its staging of the 2013 International Golf Travel Market, the region has reported accelerated interest from the industry.
“We have already seen notable increase in golf travel to the region in recent months,“ said Octavi Bono General Manager of Costa Daurada Tourism Board. “Having turned the heads of international buyers with our value proposition, we are building on the momentum to capitalise on our newly established business relations.”
Selling an enriched Spanish golf holiday – courtesy of world-renowned Catalan cuisine, striking Mediterranean scenery, blue flag beaches and historic Roman attractions – the region is attracting travellers who wish to play championship golf courses and experience a warm and lively culture.
“Costa Daurada is a popular destination for our clientele and I believe it has the potential to grow even further and become one of Europe’s top golf destinations,” said Euan Gillon, Head of Product Marketing and Strategy, Your Golf Travel. “The selection of golf is complemented perfectly by the breadth of activities, both cultural and leisure and the ease of access from Barcelona and Reus Airport makes for the perfect getaway.”
The region, situated south of Barcelona on Spain’s North East coast, has been a recent talking point in European golfing circles, with Troon-managed LUMINE Mediterranea Beach & Golf Community receiving widespread acclaim as host to European Tour Qualifying School Stage 2, as well as the 2014 Challenge de Catalunya.
The resort, home to 27 holes designed by the legendary Greg Norman and a further 18 created by Alfonso Viador, has had great impact on inbound traffic, particularly from the Scandinavian countries.
Championship golf is not new to the region. The Costa Daurada’s Bonmont Golf Club is a former home of the Volvo Tour’s Catalan Open and continues to draw attention today, thanks to the mountainous and ocean-front scenery offered from Robert Trent Jones Jr’s rolling fairways.
Ten further layouts, featuring Jose Maria Olzazabal and Bernhard Langer-designed layouts, complete a comprehensive golf offering on the Costa Daurada, with courses scattered between the region’s beaches, historic Roman ruins, fishing ports and vineyards.
In response to the growing interest, a renewed golf tourism strategy has identified the need to bring together suppliers in a joined-up-approach, as explained by Bono: “We understand the need to cater for golfers beyond the course and the Costa Daurada does just that. The alignment of our stakeholders has allowed us to push forward and promote the region in its entirety.”
A range of accommodation options exist throughout the region from ancient, 5* boutique hotels set within hillside vines to 3 and 4* contemporary hotels within easy reach of the region’s golf courses.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales.
She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
