Costa Brava, home of three of Europe’s Top 100 golf courses, took centre stage at the International Golf Travel Market 15-18 November, 2010.
The award-winning golf destination on Spain’s north-east coast, close to Barcelona, celebrated the 10th anniversary of being named IAGTO Emerging Golf Destination of the Year by sponsoring IGTM and presenting a destination briefing to golf tour operators.
Marketing Director Jaume Marin informed delegates about the growth in golf tourism in Costa Brava, driven by the search for alternative destinations in Spain with easy access, high quality golf courses and hotels, plus exceptional value.
“We now welcome more than 7 million visitors a year, many of those arriving via Girona-Costa Brava Airport and its 63 European destinations,” said Jaume Marin.
“The fact that we have 10 high quality golf courses within 45-minutes’ drive of the airport – including three top ranking golf courses – makes the city of Girona, the beautiful Costa Brava and the region of Catalonia an attractive and distinct destination for a golf break.”
World Top 100 course PGA Catalunya Resort, plus 36-hole resort Emporda and the seaside course of Platja de Pals are among the 10 outstanding courses on the Costa Brava, famed for its sandy coves, rugged cliffs and beautiful fishing villages.
Other popular courses in the region include: Club de Golf Costa Brava, Club de Golf Peralada, Golf d’Aro, Golf Girona, Golf Serres de Pals, Torremirona Golf Club, Club de Golf Camprodon, plus the delightful par-3 Pitch & Putt Gualta.
As well as Barcelona and Girona-Costa Brava airports, a new high-speed rail link will open soon, connecting the region to Paris (5.5 hours) and the rest of Europe. Services to Girona and Figueres, the second city of the Costa Brava, and home to the Salvador Dali Theatre Museum (which attracts 1.5 million visitors per year) will begin in early 2011, with the extension to Barcelona opening later.
The region is also famous for its cuisine and boasts 20 Michelin stars among 13 restaurants, including the renowned El Bulli (three Michelin stars), voted the world’s best restaurant five times between 2002 and 2009.
Jaume Marin added: “Ten years after receiving the IAGTO Emerging Golf Destination Award, it is pleasing to see Costa Brava and the wider Catalonia region fulfilling its potential as a leading European golf destination. If you haven’t yet experienced golf on the Costa Brava, with the Mediterranean in front of you and the Pyrenees behind, come and see for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you.”
Costa Brava www.costabrava.org