Costa Brava Sees 67 Percent Growth in European Golfers over the Past Two Years

Region also tops TravelSupermarket’s list of the fastest-growing short haul destinations

(Girona, Spain) - In a year in which it celebrates 50 years of golf, Spain’s award-winning Costa Brava region today reports golf visitors to the area have increased to more than 103,000 over the past two years.

In figures collated by the Costa Brava Tourism Board, they show a 67% growth in European golfers to the region between 2013 and 2015, driven by visitors from France, Germany, the UK and the Netherlands, with 2015 statistics revealing these nationalities made up almost half of the golf visitors to this north-eastern area of Spain.

The data also showed a healthy domestic market, with golf visitors from Spain and the wider Catalonia area, comprising a combined 43% of visitors to Costa Brava in 2015.

Ramón Ramos, Director of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board, said: “It has been very encouraging to see such an upswing in the number of golf visitors to the region – and in particular, the increase of Catalan golfers visiting Costa Brava. Our data shows this group grew the most over the past two years, quadrupling to more than 26,000.

“Coupled with new flight routes to Girona-Costa Brava airport announced by Jet2, Transavia and Ryanair for 2016 and 2017, we remain confident this momentum will continue and look forward to welcoming new – and returning – golf visitors to one of Europe's most distinct and culturally-rich golf destinations.”

These figures are supported by findings from influential UK price comparison site, TravelSupermarket, which identifies Spain’s Costa Brava region as the fastest-growing short haul destination for this season, based on a surge in internet searches received during the first quarter of 2016, compared to the first three months of 2015.

TravelSupermarket revealed Costa Brava’s search rank rose 31 places, compared to the same period in 2015, and was particularly popular among families and single travelers.

Statistics from Costa Brava’s 2016 Vivid wine festival also showed a growth in visitor numbers, increasing 27% year-on-year, and generating an economic impact of almost €500,000.

These figures are revealed as Costa Brava uses 2016 to celebrate the region’s world-class golf, wine and gastronomy offerings.

Details of TravelSupermarket’s fastest-growing short haul destinations list can be found here, while more information about the Costa Brava can be found on www.costabrava.org.