In 2022, Spain received 1.4 million golf tourists, mainly from Europe, which represents an increase of 17% compared to 2018, with the study stating that visitors are attracted “not only by the quality of the courses and the favourable climate, but also by the range of services that complement the sporting experience”.

As for the economic impact of golf in Spain, direct spending by golf tourists reached 5.872 billion euros in 2022, 27.6% more than in 2019, a figure that includes accommodation, restaurants, transport and leisure, thus generating “a multiplier effect on the economy”.

In total, the economic impact of golf tourism amounted to 14.152 billion euros, with the authors of the report highlighting that, considering direct, indirect and induced income, the total revenue generated by golf course activity and tourist spending reached 15.937 billion euros in 2022.

In addition to its economic impact, the study refers to the quality of employment generated by the golf sector. In 2022, 132,994 jobs were created, which represents an increase of 9.6% compared to 2019. The majority of these jobs were permanent contracts (93.4%), full-time (94.7%), “values ​​that exceed the national average and reflect a commitment to the stability and sustainability of employment”, highlights the study.

“This growth in job creation and in the quality of available jobs not only boosts the economy, but also helps to mitigate the seasonality of tourism, since the peak golf season is spread across the spring and autumn months, avoiding the typical summer overcrowding and supporting the economic development of local communities throughout the year”, also highlights the “II Study on the Economic Impact of Golf in Spain”.