Golf may be the next new tourism product on offer in Greece as industry stakeholders explore ways to tap into a sport that can generate significant revenues.
According to the findings of the latest study released by the Foundation for Economic and Industrial Research (IOBE), golf facilities can help solve seasonality which is impacting Greece’s tourism performance, increase tourist receipts by attracting higher income travelers, support the holiday property market, and boost Greece’s competitiveness over its rival markets.
The study’s analysts found that golf tourism in Greece can, once fully established, generate some 104.8 million euros with average spending per traveler reaching up to 2,400 euros – four times the average spending per trip of other tourists to the country, OT reported.
Meanwhile, the total contribution of the golf tourism segment to GDP is estimated at 111.4 million euros while facilities can support approximately 4,300 jobs.
Examples cited during the study presentation event in Athens, include the Costa Navarino resort in the Western Peloponnese, Crete and Rhodes, where golf facilities can be developed.
Addressing the event, Greek Tourism Confederation (SETE) President Yiannis Paraschis underlined the importance of attracting Greeks to the sport in addition to international visitors.
There are currently 10 golf courses operating in Greece which generated 10 million euros in revenues in 2022. Portugal is home to 113 golf courses and in Spain there are eight golf courses per 1 million residents. Spain is Europe’s leading tourist destination for golfers.
