PGA Tour 2012 Schedule released, golf tourism remains unaffected by weak economy

08/11/2011

http://www.pfconcept.com/index.php?p=logos&l=EN

According to the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators, the golf industry has shown significant resilience in spite of the currently suffering economy.

In fact, after the main 2008 global financial crisis, golf tourism bounced back much more quickly than other sectors. Today the international industry is still growing.

Need proof? There have been at least 50 million travelers this year alone in international golf tourism. Plus, the typical golfer spends about 120% more per day at a resort than the average traveler.

Another striking statistic is that a mere 12% of the population of the United States plays the game of golf yet they account for 27% of U.S. travel spending. The U.S., Spain and Thailand are currently the most population international golf destinations. This is particularly surprising for Thailand, considering the flood waters that currently affect various regions around the country. American-owned Kalos Golf recently sent a group to Bangkok who were reportedly shocked to find no flooding whatsoever on the course.

This coming April the inaugural IAGTO Asia Golf Tourism Convention will be held in Kuala Lumpur. Developing countries like Turkey and Portugal are not far behind however, each boasts a rapidly developing golf tourism industry.

Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators, Peter Walton, further states, “While we don’t have figures for other countries, this shows how important golf tourism is in the current international tourism climate,” he explained.

Despite economic uncertainty, an average of 1 in 3 golfers plan to travel within the next year.

Want to incorporate the PGA Tour into your next incentive program? Check out the schedule of tournaments below:

Majors
April 5-8: The Masters, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
June 14-17: U.S. Open, Olympic Club, San Francisco, California
July 19-22: British Open Championship, Royal Lytham & St. Annes Golf Club, Lancashire, England
August 9-12: PGA Championship, Kiawah Island Resort Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, South Carolina
September 27-30: Ryder Cup, Medinah Country Club, Medinah, Illinois

Selected Tournaments
January 5-9: Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Plantation Course, Kapalua, Hawaii
January 26-29: Farmers Insurance Open, Torrey Pines GC, San Diego, California
February 9-12: AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill, Monterey Peninsula Shore Course, Pebble Beach, California
March 1-4: Honda Classic, PGA National GC, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
March 8-11: WGC-Cadillac Championship, TPC Blue Monster at Doral, Doral, Florida
March 15-18: Transitions Championship, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida
March 22-25: Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando, Florida
May 10-13: The Players Championship, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
July 5-8: The Greenbrier Classic, The Old White Course, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
August 31-September 3: Deutsche Bank Championship, TPC Boston, Norton, Massachusetts
October 18-21: The McGladrey Classic, Sea Island Resort, St. Simons Island, Georgia
November 8-11: Children’s Miracle Classic, Walt Disney Resort, Lake Buena Vista, Florida