International Golf Tourism Market Size & Share [2033]

International Golf Tourism Market Overview

The International Golf Tourism Market size was valued at USD 9949.25 million in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 13515.27 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2025 to 2033.

The international golf tourism market has grown into a prominent segment of global tourism, driven by the rising popularity of golf as both a sport and a lifestyle experience. In 2023, an estimated 13.6 million international golf tourists traveled across borders specifically for golf-related experiences. Countries with high golf infrastructure density, such as the United States, Spain, and Thailand, are top destinations, drawing over 4.8 million, 2.3 million, and 1.1 million golf tourists respectively. Golf vacation packages often command higher spending levels per tourist, averaging $2,200 per trip, compared to general leisure tourists, who spend around $1,450.

The demand for bespoke golf travel itineraries, combining leisure, wellness, and luxury lodging, has surged. For instance, 46% of international golf tourists in 2023 chose resorts offering integrated services like spa facilities and private coaching. The increasing number of professional and amateur tournaments hosted globally, totaling 1,270 international events in 2023, also significantly drives travel. Asia-Pacific has emerged as a rapidly growing region, with 18% of total international golf tourists in 2023 visiting destinations like Vietnam and South Korea. The market continues to benefit from aging affluent populations, particularly in Europe and North America, who frequently seek high-end golf experiences abroad.

Key Findings

Driver: Increased spending on leisure travel among affluent middle-aged and senior consumers.

Country/Region: The United States leads with the highest number of outbound and inbound golf tourists.

Segment: Leisure Tourism remains dominant due to rising demand for golf vacations tied with luxury experiences.

International Golf Tourism Market Trends

The international golf tourism market is being shaped by lifestyle changes, digital booking transformations, and a broader emphasis on experiential travel. In 2023, over 9.2 million golf travel packages were booked online, accounting for nearly 67% of all international golf tourism bookings. This shift to online platforms allows more personalization, with tourists selecting destinations based on course ranking, climate, and off-course amenities. Europe remains a dominant player, with Spain, Portugal, and Scotland collectively attracting more than 4.9 million inbound golf tourists in 2023. Another notable trend is the rise of golf tourism among millennials and Gen X travelers. About 28% of all international golf tourists in 2023 were under the age of 45, indicating that golf’s appeal is expanding beyond its traditional demographics. Furthermore, 34% of golf travelers combined their trips with other activities like wine tours, safaris, or cultural exploration. In South Africa, 147,000 international visitors booked golf-safari hybrid experiences in 2023 alone.

Sustainability and eco-tourism have also gained prominence. Courses with water recycling systems, electric golf carts, and wildlife conservation programs experienced a 19% increase in bookings. For instance, in Thailand, 420,000 inbound tourists selected eco-certified golf resorts. Golf travel is no longer confined to just playing on elite courses—it increasingly reflects broader values such as environmental stewardship and wellness. The global golf tournament calendar is also a key demand driver. Events like The Open Championship, the PGA Tour, and the Ryder Cup attracted over 980,000 international spectators cumulatively in 2023. These events contribute significantly to local economies and create parallel opportunities for tour operators and local hospitality businesses. The popularity of golf cruises—combining luxury cruises with golfing stops at ports—grew by 11% in 2023, particularly in the Mediterranean and Caribbean regions. Lastly, the demand for high-end, all-inclusive golf resorts has risen. About 63% of travelers preferred packages that included green fees, transfers, equipment rentals, and dining options. In Dubai, the number of tourists choosing all-inclusive golf resort stays increased to 88,000 in 2023 from 62,000 in 2022. These trends signal a robust, evolving landscape where golf tourism is becoming more integrated with luxury, sustainability, and tech-driven personalization.

International Golf Tourism Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Rising demand for premium leisure travel experiences

The international golf tourism market is benefiting immensely from increased consumer spending on luxury and premium travel. In 2023, more than 3.2 million global travelers sought golf destinations with 5-star lodging and elite course access. Baby boomers and high-income Gen X travelers, who represent 54% of global golf tourists, are particularly drawn to bespoke itineraries featuring concierge services, private lessons, and fine dining. The average spend per premium golf tourist was recorded at $3,800 per trip in 2023, significantly higher than average leisure tourists. This driver reflects a broader global shift toward experience-centric tourism, where golf plays a central role.

RESTRAINT

High seasonal dependency and climate vulnerability

International golf tourism is highly seasonal, with 73% of all travel occurring between April and October in the Northern Hemisphere. This creates off-season revenue drops for operators and local businesses. Additionally, extreme weather events due to climate change are disrupting travel plans and damaging courses. In 2023, more than 160 golf resorts globally experienced course closures due to floods, heatwaves, or storms. For example, southern France saw a 14% decline in golf tourists due to heat advisories during July-August 2023. This seasonal dependency affects consistency in year-round revenue generation.

OPPORTUNITY

Integration of wellness and golf tourism

There is a growing convergence between wellness tourism and golf travel. In 2023, over 1.7 million international golf tourists selected resorts offering spa treatments, fitness centers, and wellness coaching alongside golf. Countries like Thailand, Costa Rica, and Portugal are leading this fusion with integrated resort experiences. Resorts that invested in wellness facilities saw a 22% rise in average occupancy rates in 2023. This hybrid model caters especially to couples and families, expanding the addressable market and enabling resorts to diversify their offerings beyond golf alone.

CHALLENGE

Complex visa and travel regulations

The complexity of obtaining visas remains a significant barrier for international golf tourists. In 2023, over 310,000 potential bookings were canceled due to visa processing delays or refusals, particularly affecting travelers from Asia and Africa. For instance, golfers from China faced waiting times of 4–6 weeks for U.S. or Schengen visas, leading to loss of peak-season travel opportunities. The absence of streamlined processes for sports-based travel, even for tournament qualifiers, continues to impact travel volume and booking confidence, especially in post-pandemic regulatory environments.

International Golf Tourism Market Segmentation

The international golf tourism market is segmented by type and application. By type, the primary categories are Leisure Tourism, Tournament Tourism, and Business Tourism. By application, it is divided into Group Travel and Personal Travel. Each segment has unique growth characteristics influenced by age, income, travel goals, and booking behavior.

By Type

Leisure Tourism: Leisure tourism is the largest segment, accounting for approximately 68% of the market in 2023. Over 9.2 million tourists booked leisure-focused golf holidays, preferring scenic destinations like Algarve, the Caribbean, and Bali. Most of these travelers (nearly 5.8 million) were retirees or professionals above 50 years of age. These tours typically include 7-10 day stays with 3–5 rounds of golf.
Tournament Tourism: This segment includes both spectators and participants of international tournaments. Around 2.7 million tourists traveled internationally for tournaments in 2023. Key destinations included Scotland, the U.S., and UAE. Spectator packages were especially popular for events like the Ryder Cup, which alone drew 310,000 international fans. Amateur participation also grew, with 220,000 tourists taking part in international amateur events in 2023.
Business Tourism: This category includes business travelers extending their trips with golf activities. In 2023, around 1.6 million travelers engaged in golf while on business trips. Popular destinations included Japan, Singapore, and Dubai, where resorts are near financial hubs. Business golf accounts for 12% of total golf tourist traffic, often involving high-end corporate retreats.

By Application

Group Travel: Group travel accounted for 56% of international golf tourism in 2023, totaling 7.6 million tourists. These include social golf clubs, tournament groups, and corporate outings. Group packages typically span 4–6 days and are booked 3–6 months in advance. Countries like Spain and Thailand hosted more than 2.4 million group golf tourists collectively.
Personal Travel: Individual or couple-based travel represented 44% of the market, amounting to 5.9 million travelers in 2023. These tourists often seek customization, booking premium resorts and exploring multiple courses. Nearly 65% of these travelers come from North America and Western Europe, often driven by recommendations, influencer marketing, and reviews.

International Golf Tourism Market Regional Outlook

The international golf tourism market demonstrates strong regional variation in preferences, infrastructure, and tourist volume. North America and Europe dominate the market, while Asia-Pacific is showing rapid acceleration due to new investments in golf tourism infrastructure.

North America

In 2023, North America welcomed over 4.9 million international golf tourists. The United States accounted for 4.1 million, with Florida, California, and Arizona as major hubs. Canada attracted 820,000 visitors, particularly to British Columbia and Ontario. North American golf tourists are also major outbound travelers, with 2.7 million Americans traveling to golf destinations abroad, mainly to the Caribbean and Mexico.

Europe

Europe drew 5.6 million international golf tourists in 2023. Spain alone received 2.3 million golf travelers, with destinations like Costa del Sol and Murcia being top picks. Portugal hosted 1.1 million, primarily from the UK and Germany. Scotland attracted 930,000 tourists thanks to its historic courses and tournaments. Accessibility and inter-European travel agreements contribute to high regional traffic.

Asia-Pacific

Asia-Pacific saw 3.2 million international golf tourists in 2023. Thailand hosted 1.1 million, making it the region’s leader. Japan and South Korea together welcomed 980,000 travelers. The rise in luxury golf resorts and eco-golf destinations contributed to this growth. Vietnam saw a notable increase, with 340,000 international golf tourists, thanks to new course development.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa hosted 1.5 million international golf tourists in 2023. The UAE accounted for 780,000 visitors, driven by events like the DP World Tour and the appeal of courses like Emirates Golf Club. South Africa attracted 540,000 tourists, with many combining golf with safaris. Morocco drew 110,000, targeting the French and British markets.

List Of International Golf Tourism Companies

Your Golf Travel
Golfbreaks
Golf Plaisir
EasyGolf Worldwide Australia
Golfasian
Classic Golf Tours
Premier Golf
Carr Golf
PerryGolf
Haversham & Baker
Emirates Holidays
Caribbean Golf & Tours
Golf Holidays Direct
travel
Ascot Golf Tours

Your Golf Travel: Handled over 580,000 international bookings in 2023, with a strong presence in the U.K. and European markets.

Golfasian: Processed 430,000 bookings, specializing in Asia-Pacific tours with strong demand in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Investments in the international golf tourism market have surged, driven by the dual appeal of golf as a premium lifestyle activity and tourism as a high-yield economic sector. In 2023, over $1.1 billion was invested globally in golf tourism infrastructure, including new course developments, resort upgrades, and digital booking technologies. Thailand, for example, announced a $120 million public-private initiative to develop 11 new golf resorts by 2026. Similarly, Portugal earmarked $95 million for the modernization of Algarve’s top golf destinations. Private equity is increasingly flowing into the market. Golfasian received $22 million in funding in 2023 to expand its platform and launch AI-based itinerary personalization tools. Investment groups in the UAE and Saudi Arabia are focusing on luxury golf resorts that can serve both tourism and elite-level tournaments. In Dubai, two new resorts launched in 2023 attracted over 160,000 golf tourists within nine months of operation. Digital transformation is another focal point. Online booking platforms for golf tourism have experienced a 39% increase in user engagement year-over-year. Companies like Golfbreaks and Your Golf Travel have upgraded their systems to offer virtual course previews, instant group bookings, and bundled packages. Resorts offering digital concierge services reported 23% higher booking conversion rates in 2023.

Opportunities also lie in emerging destinations. South Africa, Vietnam, and Colombia saw respective year-over-year golf tourist growth of 14%, 18%, and 11% in 2023. Governments in these countries are offering incentives like tax rebates, fast-track development licenses, and co-branding opportunities with global tour operators. The Dominican Republic, already a Caribbean golf hotspot, added 9 new luxury golf villas in 2023, supported by $64 million in foreign direct investment. Corporate travel partnerships represent another avenue. Approximately 870 global companies included golf retreats in their 2023 incentive travel programs, benefiting travel agencies and resorts alike. The increasing use of data analytics for customer profiling and demand forecasting is also helping investors target niche segments more effectively. In essence, the international golf tourism market presents compelling investment opportunities across infrastructure, digital innovation, destination marketing, and service bundling. Countries and companies aligning themselves with luxury, personalization, and tech-integration are best positioned to capture market share and drive sustainable growth.

New Product Development

Innovation in international golf tourism is redefining the travel experience, with new products enhancing convenience, luxury, and customer engagement. In 2023, over 140 new golf travel packages were launched globally, with a focus on thematic tours, smart booking interfaces, and all-inclusive resort deals. For instance, Haversham & Baker introduced a 10-day ""Historic Scotland Golf Trail"" including tee times at St Andrews, Royal Dornoch, and exclusive whisky tasting sessions, selling out its 2023 slots in under 48 hours. Digital platforms have also evolved. Golf Holidays Direct launched a real-time tee-time reservation system integrated with over 220 courses worldwide. Within the first quarter of 2024, the system processed over 93,000 bookings, cutting traditional booking time by 47%. Meanwhile, Your Golf Travel introduced customizable AI-powered itineraries that suggest destinations based on player handicap, group size, and desired travel dates. In Asia-Pacific, Golfasian launched a women-focused golf retreat across Thailand and Bali, complete with yoga, spa treatments, and coaching from LPGA professionals. The package attracted over 5,600 bookings within its debut year, with 76% of travelers returning high satisfaction ratings.

Hybrid product experiences are also emerging. Emirates Holidays created “Golf & Desert Safari” bundles, which saw 12,000 bookings in 2023, primarily from U.K. and German tourists. These innovations are particularly effective in converting leisure travelers into first-time golf tourists by offering more holistic, culturally rich experiences. Luxury is a strong development focus. Premier Golf rolled out “Executive Golf Jets,” a charter-based service offering private jets to destinations like Pebble Beach and Cape Kidnappers, complete with concierge booking and 5-star hotel stays. Over 320 bookings were made within the service's first six months. Carr Golf also launched a “Legends of Ireland” private tour including helicopter transfers and castle lodging, garnering strong demand among U.S. executives. Technology integration continues to play a vital role. More than 60% of new golf resorts in 2023 included smart lockers, digital swing analyzers, and GPS-enabled carts as standard offerings. Resorts that introduced app-based concierge services saw a 28% increase in user retention and repeat bookings. These developments indicate a vibrant, dynamic industry that is evolving to meet changing traveler preferences, with innovation focusing on exclusivity, wellness, sustainability, and digital convenience.

Five Recent Developments

Golfasian launched a women-centric golf retreat in Thailand and Bali, booking 5,600+ customers in 2023.
Your Golf Travel introduced AI itinerary personalization tools, used by over 140,000 clients in 2023.
Emirates Holidays created a ""Golf & Desert Safari"" hybrid package, receiving 12,000 bookings within eight months.
Golfbreaks implemented real-time tee-time booking across 220 global courses, completing 93,000 bookings in early 2024.
Premier Golf debuted “Executive Golf Jets” service with 320 elite bookings by end of Q1 2024.

Report Coverage of International Golf Tourism Market

This report presents a comprehensive and detailed overview of the international golf tourism market, capturing the most critical factors shaping its development and trajectory. It covers demand patterns, competitive strategies, geographic trends, and key business dynamics influencing growth across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2023, the market served approximately 13.6 million international golf tourists, with over 65% traveling for leisure purposes and 35% for tournaments and business retreats. The segmentation analysis evaluates the market across key categories—Leisure, Tournament, and Business tourism—alongside Group and Personal travel applications. Each segment is discussed with factual backing on tourist volume, geographic distribution, and user behavior, including age demographics, average stay duration, and spending levels. For example, the report highlights that business travelers engaged in golf stayed 2.3 days longer than average business tourists in 2023.

Regional performance is assessed using indicators such as inbound tourist numbers, infrastructure growth, and climate resilience. Asia-Pacific is noted for its emerging golf destinations, while Europe dominates the traditional circuit with premium and historic courses. The U.S. remains both a major source and destination market, contributing over 6.8 million tourists across inbound and outbound travel combined. A focused section on dynamics explains drivers like premium travel demand, restraints like visa hurdles, and challenges such as climate impact on golf seasons. Meanwhile, opportunities like wellness-tourism integration and AI-based personalization are critically evaluated. Quantitative data, including 2023 figures for booking trends, digital adoption, and eco-tourism participation, support these insights. The report profiles 15 major international golf tourism companies, providing insights into their market roles, new product launches, and technological innovations. It further lists the top two market leaders—Your Golf Travel and Golfasian—with supporting statistics on booking volumes and geographic spread. New product development and investment sections highlight the market’s future trajectory, with data-backed examples of tech integration, hybrid experiences, and venture capital inflows. The five recent developments section offers an industry pulse check, ensuring the report reflects the most current market realities. Optimized for keyword visibility and factual accuracy, this report serves as a robust reference for stakeholders seeking data-driven insights into the global golf tourism industry.