Andalusia has become in its own right the leading golf tourist destination in Europe thanks, among other things, to the mild climate all year round and the quantity and quality of its golf courses. This autonomous community has almost 120 golf courses, of which 74 are located on the Costa del Sol, in the strip that includes the coast of Malaga and the Campo de Gibraltar in Cadiz.
It is in this area where the Sotogrande macro-urbanization and the flagship of Spanish golf, the Real Club Valderrama, the scene of the historic Ryder Cup in 1997, two American Express World Championships and sixteen editions of the Volvo Masters, among other important tournaments, are located.
Golf tourism is in excellent health in Andalusia and the outlook is that its strength will continue to grow in the coming years. According to the statistics handled by the public company Turismo Andaluz, around half a million golfers come to this autonomous community every year from the national territory as well as from European countries and other latitudes. Especially noteworthy is the presence of golfers from Great Britain, 38.8 percent of the total.
The second largest source market of golf tourists to Andalusia is the Spanish, with 14 percent, and the third, German, with 11.7%, followed closely by Irish golf tourism, with 10.7%. Next come golfers from France, with 3.5 percent, the Netherlands and Sweden, both with 3 percent. Those from other countries account for the remaining 15.4%.
Regarding the motivation that moves golfers to travel to Andalusia and the activities carried out, 69% of tourists say they have no secondary reason to visit this autonomous community beyond the practice of golf. However, 16.5% are secondarily motivated by sun and beach, and 8.8% by cultural tourism.
As for the activity of playing golf itself, there has been a maintenance in the number of golf outings in recent years, with an average of 6 outings in their trip. In addition, these tourists visit an average of 3 golf courses during their vacations in Andalusia.
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