PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1675527
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1675527
Golf tourism refers to trips taken by individuals to play golf, a sport involving using clubs to hit a small ball into a series of cups set out on a course. A subset of sport tourism, golf tourism involves domestic or international travel by individuals who play golf during their journeys.
The primary types of golf tourism encompass domestic and international. The international tourism concept refers to the act of traveling to a country other than the tourist's home country for leisure or business, lasting no more than one year. The various services, including personal tours and professional tours, are sold through direct channels and distribution channels. Golf tourism services are availed by both males and females.
The golf tourism market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides golf tourism market statistics, including golf tourism industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a golf tourism market share, detailed golf tourism market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the golf tourism industry. This golf tourism market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The golf tourism market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $5.83 billion in 2024 to $6.28 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to global popularity of golf, development of golf courses, international sporting events, resort and destination marketing, cultural and recreational attractions, corporate golf events.
The golf tourism market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $9.09 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to emergence of new golf destinations, golf course renovations and upgrades, culinary and gastronomic experiences, government support and investment, specialized golf events. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of technology in golf travel planning, sustainable and eco-friendly golf tourism, customized golf tour packages, collaborations with golf celebrities, golf cruise packages.
Growing government support for promoting golf tourism is anticipated to fuel the expansion of the golf tourism market. Governments are encouraging golf destinations for both domestic and international tourists to generate additional foreign exchange by developing this niche market and contributing to economic growth. For example, in February 2023, the United States Golf Association (USGA), a U.S.-based governing body for golf courses, clubs, and facilities, launched the U.S. National Development Program (USNDP) to establish a unified pathway for nurturing elite golf talent across the country. This program aims to identify, train, develop, and financially assist promising junior players from diverse backgrounds, addressing the U.S.'s competitive gap in golf development compared to other nations. The initiative includes a sustainable grant program to cover costs like entry fees and coaching, with a goal of supporting 1,000 junior players by 2027. Therefore, increasing government initiatives to promote golf tourism are expected to drive the growth of the golf tourism market.
The economic status of individuals is driving the growth of the golf tourism market. Higher disposable incomes enable golf enthusiasts to afford travel expenses and luxury experiences associated with golf vacations. For instance, in September 2024, according to an article published by the Office of National Statistics, a UK-based executive office of the Statistics Authority published an article that said, in 2022, the UK saw a 6.3% increase in gross disposable household income (GDHI) compared to 2021. This economic growth contributes to the increased participation in golf tourism, supporting the market's growth.
Leading companies in the golf tourism sector are increasingly prioritizing sustainability initiatives, such as the Green Drive tree-planting campaign, to appeal to eco-conscious golfers and emphasize environmental responsibility. These efforts highlight the growing importance of eco-friendly practices in attracting golfers who value sustainability, thereby boosting the appeal of golf destinations dedicated to environmental stewardship. For example, in June 2023, DP World, a golf tourism provider based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), launched the Green Drive tree-planting campaign to support environmental responsibility and combat climate change. This initiative aims to plant thousands of trees across various golf courses, promoting biodiversity and reducing the sport's ecological footprint.
Major companies are enhancing their focus on developing solutions, such as the inventory management system, to gain a competitive edge. An inventory management system (IMS) is a software application aiding businesses in tracking and managing inventory levels, orders, and sales. For instance, in April 2022, Agra Golf Course, an India-based provider of golf courses, introduced a Tee-Time inventory management system to enhance luxury golf tourism. This system provides the course with improved data on tee time usage, enabling optimization of scheduling and resource allocation, leading to reduced wait times and a more enjoyable experience.
In March 2023, DreamFolks, an India-based equipment manufacturing company, acquired Vidsur Golf for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to expand DreamFolks' offerings by incorporating golf-related privileges and services into its current portfolio, thereby adding greater value for its clients. Vidsur Golf is an Indian company specializing in providing access to golf courses worldwide.
Major companies operating in the golf tourism market include Fairway Escapes, Goway Travel, Golfbreaks Ltd, Greenscape Holidays, Par Excellence Getaways, Carr Golf, Premier Golf Tours, Kalos Golf, Celtic Golf, Golfasian Co. Ltd, Direct Golf Holidays, SouthAmerica.travel, Ascot Golf Tours, Chaka Travel, TeeTime Travels, Eagle's View Golf Tours, Golf Tours International, GHW Golf Tours, Perry Travel Inc, Scottish Golf Holidays Inc, The Haversham and Baker Co, GolfHolidays.com, Sophisticated Golfer, Caribbean Golf & Tours, Classic Golf Tours, Golf Plaisir, EasyGolf Worldwide Australia, Asian Tour, Links & Leisure Tours, Birdie Bound Adventures, Driveway Golf Tours, Mulligan Travels, Stroke Savvy Tours
North America was the largest region in the golf tourism market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the golf tourism market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the golf tourism market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The golf tourism market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as leisure tourism, tournament tourism, and business tourism. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Golf Tourism Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on golf tourism market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for golf tourism ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The golf tourism market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.