The Costa Blanca and Valencian Community Golf Course Association (ACGCBCV) has carried out a comparative study of the tee times of all its member courses from January to June during the last 4 years (2019-22), whose main conclusion is that in the first half of 2022 there has been a return to practically the same pre-pandemic situation as in 2019, thus recovering the tremendous hole in occupancy generated by Covid-19 in 2020 and 2021.

Global exports have increased by 57.21% compared to 2021, already approaching the figures reached in 2019. Taking into account that COVID still had an impact at the beginning of the year and the very rainy spring we have had throughout the Levante region with the fields closed for many more days than normal due to the rain, the reading is positive and if this trend continues for the 2nd quarter, by the end of the year the figures should be equal to or exceed those of 2019 and definitively return to normal.

Breaking down the number of rounds by customer type, we observe that rounds by local players (course members and season ticket holders) are already above 2019 levels, having increased by 19.91% compared to 2021. This demonstrates that golf is emerging stronger after the pandemic, as it is perceived as a very safe and healthy activity. On the other hand, rounds by visiting players are still below 2019 levels, but have experienced an increase of 150.11% compared to 2021, showing a strong upward trend.

Regarding the weight of departures of local and visiting players in relation to the overall total, it can be seen how the situation has also normalized and has returned to the 50%-50% ratio that existed before the pandemic.

For 30 years, the ACGCBCV has been promoting the Costa Blanca and the Valencian Community as a golf destination and highlighting the significant economic and social benefits it generates in the region. Golf is one of the most effective ways to reduce the seasonality of tourism, generating 500,000 overnight stays annually in Valencian Community hotels, an annual economic impact of €745 million, and more than 9,000 jobs per year.

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SOURCE: Costa Blanca Golf Courses Association, Valencian Community.