Golf in Portugal

[pcowgill]

Hi all

I run a golf tour company selling tours to most of the established overseas golf holiday regions. During the past 3 or 4 years, our bookings to Portugal have increased steadily year on year. However, this year has seen a marked halt in this growth. On the other hand our bookings to France and Spain have shot up. They are all in 'Euroland' so its not a currency issue. Quite frankly I'm baffled. Any regular golf travellers got any suggestions?

 

[Up_Point_1]

I fear you may have lit the blue touch paper again my friend. Take cover

DHM.

 

[pcowgill]

Hi DHM
Not sure what you mean.

 

[HTL]

Dont worry about it pcowgill, we have had a few idiots posting surveys etc on their first posts and us F.U.G.S are a bit sick of it.

As long as your a real F.U.G.S and want to stay around we offer the best advice available from real golfers.

As for you problem mate, Sorry I have no answer, have you contacted the tourism board and asked for their tourism stats?

 

[madandra]

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F.U.G.S.

Like htl said and I am sure younwill be aware we as a forum have a reputation of attacking unsolicited posters selling something or offering some service or another.

I have never played golf in Portugal but guys from my old club went last year and complained it was too warm. I would love that kind of problem right now.

 

[pcowgill]

Ah - I see what you mean DHM.

No, it was a genuine question. We've researched our customers but the results are inconclusive. We also asked our hotel and golf course managers who tell us what we already know i.e. bookings are down. The key question is why? A friend suggested I post the question in the hope that there are some regular golf travellers out there who may have the answer. Here's hoping.

 

[Dodger]

I could talk you thro the problems in return for a free long weekend for 4 at Quinta?
No honestly I cannot say why,I have been there 5 years in a row playing all along the Algarve and the only thing I notice is the prices creeping up for golf but no worse than the costa del golf.Some courses have been scruffy but you get that at all places,notables being Penina (a superb track but a total shithole condition wise last year although good the year before) and 1 of the Vilamouras (laguna I think it was) but on the plus side both Carvoeiro courses excellently priced and conditioned,Quinta as good as ever Vila Sol too although not cheap (not just the golf) and newer ones like Boavista and Morgoda good.
Who knows??!!

 

[stevelockie]

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F.U.G.S.

Like htl said and I am sure younwill be aware we as a forum have a reputation of attacking unsolicited posters selling something or offering some service or another.

I have never played golf in Portugal but <u>guys from my old club went last year and complained it was too warm</u> . I would love that kind of problem right now.

Ha ha, that's like going to the desert and complaining about the sand!

 

[pcowgill]

Now I think about it dodger, you may be close. Prices on the courses in the Algarve around Vilamoura have risen quite steeply this year whereas our suppliers in Spain have held their's for the third year running. When I look at our sales to other parts of Portugal, notably the Lisbon Coast, they have held up very nicely so the problem is the Algarve - or to be more precise Vilamoura. Let's hope the 'powers that be' there are not going to kill the goose that lay the golden egg.

Thanks for your help

 

[HTL]

I hope your going to stay around pcowgill? We all hate the feeling of being used for our minds.

 

[pcowgill]

No worries - feel free to use my mind at any time.... not that it would do you much good

 

[thecraw]

deleted

It didnt read very well and I apologise for any offence. None was meant.

 

[pcowgill]

I think if tourism was that badly affected by crimes of violence against the young and innocent, London would be a ghost town

 

[Dodger]

I hope this isnt some sort of sick gag in relation to Madeline McCann. I would imagine tourism in Portugal will be down this year.

Not sure I understand or want to understand that post Craw...
Anyhow,last yr I also went to Costa Brava where for me the best value for money golf is had.Stayed in Girona,great nightlife at a good rate for beer and espec food and played the Cataluynas (new home of tour school) which were superb and also Pals and Emporda,all very good and cheap compared to Costa del golf and Algarve.Girona was great to as the lack on English spoken and egg and chips was a great plus point.

 

[thecraw]

Ok maybe its worded badly. In general many Brits would/will have second thoughts about going to Portugal after the tragic incident involving Madeline McCann. I know as a parent I would seriously consider all alternatives.

Hope that clears it up a little.

I also believe it to be a very strange first post!

 

[pcowgill]

I also went to Costa Brava where for me the best value for money golf is had.Stayed in Girona,great nightlife at a good rate for beer and espec food and played the Cataluynas (new home of tour school) which were superb and also Pals and Emporda,

Couldn't agree more dodger. Costa Brava golf is about as good as it gets especially PGA Catalunya and Emporda..... pity you didn't book it with my company but hey ho, can't win 'em all

 

[HTL]

thecraw why do you always speak in a pontificate way? Just relax mate and enjoy yourself.

Not really that stranger post seeing as he explains himself.

I have enjoyed it, reasons behind people not going to Portugal are unmitigated and would make an interesting debate in several forums including this one.

 

[Dodger]

cleared up craw,no problemo.
Overall though I think that Algarve is a great place to golf but as said the Vilamoura/Quinta area epesc the prices are lifting sky high,my pal is head man at Pinheros Altos and was saying that just last year but as he says go along the coast toward Carvoiero/Lagos and golf at a reasonable cost can be had and also 2 or 3 new tracks springing up along there so hopefully they will be good and the costs will stay reasonable too.

 

[pcowgill]

2 or 3 new tracks springing up along there so hopefully they will be good and the costs will stay reasonable too.

Before you get much older, check out the new golf course at Monte Rei near Tavira on the Eastern Algarve. I know some FUGS will lambast me for plugging my site but here goes... click on this link http://www.drivelinegolf.com/golfcourses.asp?id=164
Then click on the Golf Monte Rei link. Anyone that does will see one of THE!! Great Golf Courses and maybe the FUGS will then forgive me and I promise I won't do it again.

It was built to rival Valderrama and it does!! Quite pricey but it is one of the best rounds of golf you will ever play

 

[thecraw]

thecraw why do you always speak in a pontificate way? Just relax mate and enjoy yourself.

Not really that stranger post seeing as he explains himself.

I have enjoyed it, reasons behind people not going to Portugal are unmitigated and would make an interesting debate in several forums including this one.

Dont agree at all buddy.

If this guy is who he says he is I'm sure he has the ability to do some sort of questionaire with his previous clients. A company will have records and it doesnt take much to organise a letter drop or email previous clients from trips to Portugal asking why the decline this year.

There is no need for him to come on and ask strangers why they are not going to Portugal after all we are not his clients are we?