There is a sport that is establishing itself as one of the main drivers of attracting visitors to the Algarve, going beyond the traditional association with the beach and gastronomy, at a time when the region is showing signs of recovery after the damage caused by recent storms. Golf has been gaining economic and tourist importance, with a direct impact on external demand and investment in infrastructure.
According to SIC Notícias, a study by the National Council of the Golf Industry concludes that the activity contributes around 100 million euros to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Algarve, reflecting the growing importance of the sector in the regional economy.
Storms hampered the start of the season
The beginning of the year was marked by adverse weather conditions that affected several fields in the region. According to the same source, at Amendoeira Golfe, in Silves, the overflow of the surrounding streams led to the flooding of parts of the course.
The wind associated with successive storms even forced temporary closures on some days, the channel writes, with vouchers issued to compensate affected customers. The situation had an immediate impact on demand, in a phase that normally marks the beginning of the season.
March marks resumption of demand
With the improvement in weather conditions, the sector is now looking towards the start of the high season, which takes place between March and May, repeating itself later between September and November. According to the same source, there is an expectation that the worst is over, allowing training and competitions to resume.
The same publication says that many golfers have homes in the Algarve or visit the region frequently, and it is rare to remember such a climate-dependent start to the season.
Growing international demand
Despite the initial constraints, the underlying trend remains positive. Every year the external demand for Algarve fields increases, with thousands of people choosing to live in developments located close to sports infrastructures.
It is not just occasional tourists who value the regional offer. There are even schools promoting three-month internships in the Algarve, reinforcing the formative and prolonged dimension of the presence of practitioners.
Investment allows prices to rise
Investments made in new fields and in the renovation of existing structures have allowed the Algarve to position itself in a higher price segment. He adds that the modernization of the support infrastructure contributes to this appreciation.
According to the same source, there are customers who choose to leave destinations such as Spain, Morocco or Türkiye, preferring to pay more to play in the Algarve, in a choice associated with the quality of the conditions offered.
Between the cost of the game and access to learning
Although playing golf can represent a significant burden, learning the sport does not necessarily involve high costs. The publication states that initiation is accessible to a wider audience, which could expand the base of practitioners in the future.
As the peak months approach, the sector awaits the consolidation of the recovery. The combination of international demand, continued investment and relevant economic impact places golf at the center of the regional tourism strategy, confirming that, for many visitors, the Algarve increasingly begins in the green and not just on the sand.
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