(Algarve, Portugal – November 13, 2012) Golfers prefer the flexibility of half-board hotel packages to all-inclusive deals, new research for International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) reveals.
The survey, commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of IGTM (November 12-15, 2012, Algarve, Portugal), is based on responses from more than 9,500 regular golfers in Europe’s four largest golf markets – UK & Ireland (UK&I), Scandinavia, Germany and France.
The research found that half-board accommodation was the number one choice for golfers from Germany (35.5%), Scandinavia (32.9%) and UK&I (28.3%). However, French golfers said they preferred all-inclusive deals (27.7%), the second choice of golfers in the other three markets.
The research, produced by SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC., highlighted other variations in consumer behaviour.
German golfers are the most likely to stay in five-star accommodation (36.5%), followed by French golfers (24%), British and Irish (22.8%) and Scandinavians (18.4%).
However, German golfers are the least likely to stay in on-course hotels (25.8%), although they do stay closest to the course – 13 minutes’ drive, on average.
Scandinavian golfers tend to stay on-course wherever possible (45.9%), compared to 33.9% of British and Irish golfers and just 27% of French golfers.
Hotels remain the most popular form of accommodation for golf travellers (Germans 76.5%, Scandinavians 64.8%, French 64.4% and UK&I 55%).
However, British and Irish golfers were the happiest to stay in ‘bed-and-breakfast’ style accommodation with 14.7% reporting this option for their most recent golf break, compared to 6.4% of French golfers, 4.2% of German golfers and 3.7% of Scandinavians.
IGTM Exhibition Manager, Peter Grimster, said: “While it is interesting that we have seen a rise in all-inclusive golf packages, especially in destinations such as Belek, Turkey, half-board hotel packages remain prevalent in Europe.
“Destinations and hotels should take note of different customers’ wants and needs. While it is well documented that golf tourists spend more on average than typical leisure tourists, a variety of accommodation and price points are required depending on which regional markets a destination is targeting.”
A presentation of the report’s core findings will be made during IGTM on Wednesday November 14 at 14.30. Copies of the summary report will be available in the press office immediately after, with full research findings comparing the different markets or individual geographies surveyed, available on request from SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC.
For more information about IGTM, please visit: www.igtm.co.uk
ENDS
About IGTM
IGTM is owned by the world’s leading events organiser Reed Exhibitions (RE), which organises a portfolio of other travel industry events including World Travel Market, Arabian Travel Market and International Luxury Travel Market.
In 2011, RE held more than 460 events in 36 countries bringing together more than seven million people from around the world generating billions of dollars in business.
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions (RTE), a business unit of RE, is the world’s leading provider of exhibitions in the travel and tourism industry. Its wide-ranging portfolio of events around the globe covers leisure travel, luxury travel and the meetings and incentives industry.
The 12 events are: International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), World Travel Market (WTM), Arabian Travel Market (ATM), International French Travel Market (IFTM), La Cumbre, International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM), International Luxury Travel Market Asia (ILTMA), Asia Pacific Incentives & Meetings Expo (AIME) (owned by Melbourne Convention Visitors Bureau), Exhibition for the Incentive Business Travel Market (EIBTM), Gulf Incentive Business Travel Market (GIBTM), Americas Incentive Business Travel Market (AIBTM) and China Incentive Business Travel Market (CIBTM).
Reed Exhibitions is owned by Reed Elsevier, the world’s leading provider of professional information and online workflow solutions.
About SPORTS MARKETING SERVICES INC.
SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC. is an experienced and focused sports research business servicing the sports facility, equipment & sports’ goods industry.
The company provides a full research service primarily for sports equipment manufacturers, for federations, retailers and sports venue operators where the general public or members play their sport.
www.sportsmarketingsurveysinc.com
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