To promote South Africa as a golfing destination across the world, a delegation from the country recently participated at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) that was held in Portuguese capital Lisbon.

With the rise of golf as a sport in various parts of the world, golf tourism has emerged as a significant pull-factor for various destinations and several shows to promote golf tourism have emerged at national, regional and international levels.

The leading golf tourism show, International Golf Travel Market, was held from October 16-19 in Lisbon, Portugal. It is a bespoke trade show for golf destinations, resorts and courses and provides them with the opportunity to connect with leading global golf travel agents and tour operators who help grow the world’s outbound tourism market.

At the event, South Africa Tourism, too, participated in a significant manner, using the show as a prime platform to showcase the country’s burgeoning golf tourism industry. Leading the South African participation at the show was Zinhle Nzama, Acting Chief Conventions Bureau Officer at South African Tourism.

Nzama said that participating in the IGTM was a testament to South African Tourism’s commitment to promoting South Africa as a premier golf tourism destination. “Our country’s unique blend of world-class golf courses, stunning landscapes and rich cultural experiences make it an ideal choice for golf enthusiasts, and we are thrilled to engage with industry professionals from around the globe,” she said.

Nzama added that South African Tourism has diligently worked towards positioning the country as a golfing destination.

“With a diverse range of golf courses encompassing coastal links and those nestled against picturesque mountains and savannahs, South Africa offers a golfing experience unparalleled elsewhere,” she said, adding that the country’s mild climate ensures year-round playability, with the summer months, from November to March, being particularly popular among golfers.

“Golf tourism significantly contributes to the local economy by attracting tourists who spend on accommodation, food, transportation, and other services. This increased revenue supports local businesses and creates job opportunities, enriching the entire tourism value chain,” said Nzama.

SA Tourism said that the significance of this participation is underscored by the remarkable growth in tourist arrivals recorded in South Africa. Between January and August 2023, a total of 5.5 million arrivals were recorded, reflecting an increase of 63.4 pc, compared to the same period in the previous year.

“We are immensely grateful for the collaboration exhibited by the tourism sector in growing our industry. We continue to welcome this spirit of partnership with the industry as we collaborate to provide visitors and domestic travellers with the best our country has to offer through our quality-assured accommodations, high service excellence across various experiences, and our award-winning restaurants and culinary offerings,” said Nzama.