Victoria Guerrero, tourism and golf on the Costa del Sol

A native of Benahavís, one of the municipalities with the most golf courses in Spain, Victoria Guerrero is in charge of the Tourism Secretariat of the Association of Municipalities of the Western Costa del Sol, an entity that groups together eleven towns in Malaga.

1. Can you imagine the Costa del Sol without golf?

– No , right now they are complementary and inseparable resources. We have to be more and more clear that golf is not only a sport, but a tourist product with a series of effects for the Andalusian community as a whole and, in particular, for our area. Benahavís has a lot to say in this area. First of all, we have 14 golf courses, imagine what that means in all senses… Therefore, no, we cannot imagine the Costa del Sol without golf, it is part of the culture and the daily activity of many people.

2. This is one of the few sports that makes fans travel to practice it. do you think that the different public administrations, that politicians in general, are aware of the importance of this tourist segment?

– They should be, and I believe they are, because of the importance of the resources it generates, the quality of supply and demand. Awareness, fortunately, is increasing. In addition, we must recognize that in this aspect the Costa del Sol Tourist Board is working hard to raise golf to the category it deserves.

3. You are a representative of the Andalusian left, do you think that all those of your ideological tendency understand the phenomenon of golf as part of the tourism industry or do you still have prejudices about this sport?

– But who told you that people or some people of the Andalusian left are prejudiced about the golf segment? No, it must be part of the misunderstandings or of the rumorology… How can we not bet on a first class tourist product that brings us fundamental effects for tourism?

If what you are asking me is not possible, we are talking about the first factor that breaks the seasonality of tourism, since the influx of tourists who practice this sport takes place between October and April, which is when they close their fields due to weather conditions, and this coincides, precisely, with our low tourism season, which means for the sector, mainly for the hotels that would not be forced to close in winter or to carry out, for example, permanent-discontinuous contracts.

In addition, prejudices about golf are decreasing as the practice of this sport is becoming more accessible and widespread, and it is in this line of approach to all audiences that all of us involved in the sector are working.

4. With more than 50 golf courses in the municipalities that comprise the mancomunidad, are you sure, as claimed, that this is the best golf tourist destination in Europe?

– Yes , it is one of the best tourist destinations in Europe to practice golf, and proof of this is the number of tourists who visit us. And no wonder, since we meet a series of requirements that those who visit us value highly: good weather, good gastronomy… We cannot forget that golf is much more than a sport. It qualifies the tourist offer and gives value to other tourist resources that may arise around the golf course. It is not in vain that plans for tourist excellence usually include a golf course.

5. Things have been bad in recent years, what do you think we can do to continue being a leading golf destination?

– Continue in the line we are, continue doing things well, improve those that are not entirely satisfactory and, ultimately, devote effort and enthusiasm to a sector that has already proven to be of the highest quality. You can always do more and that is precisely what we are doing from the Socialist Group of Benahavís, claiming to the PP government that we must offer more and better to all those who spend their leisure time choosing our town to practice golf.

6. You play golf, what do you think about the quality of the golf courses in Costa del Sol?

– Everything can be improved, but sincerely the quality and climate conditions are, together with the landscape, among the most competitive in Europe. We have the best golf courses, some of them in the municipality of Benahavís.

In any case, it would be convenient to continue advancing in the sustainability of the courses, the services and accesses, the public golf schools, the events related to the golf culture and the image of the tourist municipalities that have to do with this sport.

7. There are certain environmental groups that strongly oppose golf on the grounds of alleged environmental damage…however, a large percentage of golf courses on the coast are irrigated with recycled water and many also favor the recovery of native flora and fauna. Do you think these groups are misinformed or simply hold preconceived positions?

– When a group maintains a position on an issue, it must have its reasons; I am not going to go into that. However, it must be said that fortunately, there has been a great improvement and less vegetation is being transformed, maintaining the native fauna. As for environmental damage, environmental impacts are being constantly corrected and we are working towards the development of a sustainable model in the golf segment.

8. With the crisis, many golf courses have reduced their prices. Do you think that the quality/price ratio of golf courses in Costa del Sol is now more adequate?

– Quality has always existed, although it is true that prices are now a little more adjusted, as in most sectors, due to the crisis. It should be emphasized that golf is increasingly practiced and is within reach of more people.

9. Without any modesty, tell me why a golf tourist should choose the Costa del Sol and not any other destination.

– Because we are a privileged destination and we have excellent golf courses to practice this sport. And if we add to this the diversity of gastronomic, cultural and scenic offerings, the result is more than satisfactory.