Germany leads the way in women golf travellers

08 July 2014

Germany has one of the highest ratios of female golfers in the world - and it is also showing the greatest growth in visiting women golfers, studies by two influential golf organisations reveal.

While German Golf Union figures show that Germany has one of the highest percentages of female golfers in the world, representing 39% of all golfers in the country, a survey by the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), reveals that Germany also enjoyed the greatest growth in women golf visitors worldwide in 2013.

The revelation is among findings just released from IAGTO’s latest annual global golf tourism survey, conducted among 350 member golf resorts and golf courses around the world.

IAGTO has also confirmed the appointment of Antje Groch as its first representative in Germany. IAGTO’s Chief Executive, Peter Walton, said: “Germany has always been one of the world’s most important outbound markets for golf tourism and we have had a very strong membership of German golf tour operators since IAGTO was founded in 1997. Golf resorts and courses in German golf destinations are increasingly interested in attracting international golf travellers.

“Antje will represent IAGTO in Germany, coordinate our activities in Germany and provide assistance to the travel trade that seeks to send German golfers abroad or attract golf visitors to the country.”

Antje Groch said: “Having been a member of IAGTO in different categories for many years, I am delighted to be appointed to represent this dynamic travel trade association in my home country. We staged two IAGTO golf days in Munich and Hamburg last month in order to bring golf tour operators together with golf travel media and sponsor golf destinations.

2014 Golf Tourism Survey - Key Findings

  • International golf holiday sales from Europe by IAGTO member golf tour operators grew by 9.4% in 2012 and by 10.1% in 2013 - a cumulative growth of 20% in two years.
  • Bookings taken by IAGTO operators in Europe grew by 14.5% in January and February this year, ensuring that 2014 will be third consecutive year of growth in golf tourism.
  • 56% of IAGTO member golf courses, golf resorts and hotels reported a significant growth in women golf travellers over the past three years, with Germany being reported as showing the highest growth (followed by the UK, Sweden, France and the USA).
  • The top 10 fastest growing golf destinations in 2013 for IAGTO member golf tour operators worldwide were:
  1. USA
  2. Portugal
  3. UAE
  4. Scotland
  5. Morocco
  6. Ireland
  7. Spain
  8. Belgium
  9. Vietnam
  10. Italy

Notably, the UAE jumped from ninth fastest growing golf destination in 2012 to fourth in 2013, while Morocco jumped seven places from 13th to sixth.

Other destinations that showed growth in 2013 include Turkey, Thailand, Dominican Republic, South Africa and Mauritius.

  • 52% of golfers worldwide booked their golf holiday via a golf tour operator or travel agency compared to 48% booking direct. The figures vary according to the proximity of the golf destination to the country of origin, but this signals the importance of the knowledge and skills that are required to deliver the best golf holiday experience to the golf traveller.
  • Golf courses, golf resorts and hotels report that 51% of their golf holiday bookings are taken outside of three months from the date of travel with 49% booking less than three months before travel.

IAGTO Golf Days

Thirty-seven IAGTO member golf tour operators and golf media took part in IAGTO Golf Days at Golf Club Feldafing near Munich and IAGTO member golf club Treudelberg in Hamburg in late May. They were able to meet with representatives from the golf day sponsors of Gran Canaria Golf Association, Costa Blanca Golf Association and Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort in Portugal.

Antje Groch said: “It was great to meet with industry partners, long-time German IAGTO members, from the tour operator and media side right at the beginning of my activities for IAGTO in Germany, and we were able to exchange opinions with Peter Walton and [IAGTO General Manager] Carlton Carugati from a German golf industry point of view - while having a glass of beer after a great day of golf.”

Ms Groch added that IAGTO would definitely to be running another two golf days in Germany next year, one in the south and the other near Koln or Frankfurt with details to be confirmed soon.

END

INFORMATION FOR THE EDITOR

Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, and has over 2250 members in 99 countries including more than 550 golf tour operator members in 62 countries, which control more than 85% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide and which collectively have annual sales of over US$2 billion. IAGTO runs a successful North America Convention, now in its 6th year, along with annual Asia and Mid Year Conventions and regular Destination Conventions. IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Market, now owned and operated by Reed Travel Exhibitions, in 1997 and the International Golf Travel Writers Association in 2000. IAGTO also runs the prestigious annual IAGTO Awards and the IAGTO Excellence Awards.


Contact:
Carlton Carugati - IAGTO General Manager
Tel: +44 20 8906 3377