The triple social, economic and environmental sustainability of the Golf sector in Spain, and specifically in Catalonia, became the central axis of the presentation of the ‘PlaySpain.Golf’ project of the Royal Spanish Golf Federation, the Spanish Association of Golf Courses, the Catalan Golf Federation and the Costa Brava Golf Courses Association. A project financed by the Next Generation European Funds granted by the Secretary of State for Tourism of the Government of Spain, within the scope of the Recovery, Transformation and Stability Plan.
In Catalonia, the use of regenerated water for the irrigation of fields is 73%, higher than the figure of 59% at the national level, according to data obtained from a report prepared by the University of Cádiz on the use of water in the farm of golf, demonstrating the sector’s commitment to sustainability both in the country and in Catalonia, where efficient water management is essential for the activity of golf courses and their integration with the natural environment.
The second report on the Economic Impact of Golf in Spain, carried out by IE University, revealed that golf has become an important economic and tourism driver, with special relevance in Catalonia, where the total spending by tourists in golf reached 263 million euros , 4.5% of spending at the national level. Catalonia has seen how the growth of golf tourism and the digitalization of the sector have helped local economic development, boosted by initiatives such as the PlaySpain.Golf digital platform. This tourist offer integrator brings together the entire Spanish golf offer on one website, facilitating access to courses in the region.
In 2022, golf tourism in Spain will grow by 17%, and Catalonia is one of the regions that benefited from this trend, positioning itself as a major destination. The economic impact of golf in the country reached 15,937 million euros, and of this figure, a large part went to complementary sectors such as hospitality and commerce, generating new job opportunities and economic development for the region.
The study estimates that the turnover of the fields of Catalonia represents 10% of the national total, with 9% in terms of direct employment, contributing more than 82 million to the total turnover of the sector at national level .
The data in the report underlines that Catalonia has managed to integrate golf as an engine of economic growth and tourism. With the increase in the influx of golf tourists, a commitment to the maintenance and implementation of digital tools such as PlaySpain.Golf, the region is positioned as a benchmark in the golf offer in Spain. Collaboration between public institutions and the private sector has been key to promoting this development, and with digitalization and commitment to sustainable water use, Catalonia is ready to continue to exploit the potential of golf as a wealth generator and work.
Berni Álvarez, Minister of Sport of the Generalitat of Catalonia He emphasized that “sports tourism is an important part, and we must continue to raise awareness about the maintenance of golf courses and golf events. I congratulate the ector’s initiative to explain its impact on society, economy and environment.”
Ramón Nogué, president of the Catalan Golf Federationrecalled “the connection of sport, health and business in a sector that does things well in terms of sustainability, as confirmed by the studies presented today.”
For your part Luis Parera, president of the Costa Brava Courses Association and member of the board of directors of the Spanish Association of Golf Courses He emphasized “the importance of presenting reports like this that shed so much light on the sector.”
The study on the economic impact of golf in Spain was carried out by IE University based on a questionnaire to the companies that manage golf courses in Spain – carried out by AECG and RFEG -, as well as data from Mastercard that collects of the spending pattern of foreign tourists in Spain up to one month before and one month after their visit, and microdata from the Tourist Expenditure Survey provided by the National Institute of Statistics.
Source: La Verdad
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