Algarve tourism authorities have launched a “Golf clubs are on us” campaign to help visiting golfers with their flight costs. Under the innovative scheme, the popular southern Portuguese golfing destination is teaming up with tour operators to provide golfers with savings of up to €100 on a direct flight to Faro Airport – with most major airlines included.
The offer of free golf bag carriage is being applied to bookings made with a licensed golf tour operator for a minimum five-night stay between November and the end of April 2021. Bookings have to be confirmed by 31 December 2020.
Golfers travelling from the UK, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands – who are staying at an officially-licensed hotel, villa or apartment – are eligible to take part.
Announcing the initiative, a spokesperson for Algarve Tourism said, “We know our friends across Europe see their opportunities to play golf a little more limited in the autumn and winter months, but in the Algarve we are open all year round.
“We all know it’s been a difficult time for everyone with so many travel plans postponed or cancelled this year. But we hope this gesture will be appreciated and may allow some more of our guests to rearrange their visit to our golf courses during the next few months.”
At last year’s International Association of Golf Tour Operators’ annual golf tourism awards, the Algarve secured the top prize as “Golf Destination of the Year”.
The coronavirus pandemic, and travel and quarantine restrictions, forced golfers to postpone their plans earlier this year, but in August the Algarve was once again ready to “roll out the green carpet”.
Guaranteeing visitors a warm welcome and outstanding golf on courses in optimum condition, tourism authorities said at the time, “Everyone has worked extremely hard to make Portugal and the Algarve one of the safest places to visit in Europe, and we’re thrilled to be able to welcome UK golfers back after so many months away.
“While some things in the world may have changed after the COVID-19 lockdown, we can reassure golfers that our courses remain as good as ever and our message is clear – put months of lockdown and quarantine behind you and enjoy some of Europe’s top-ranked courses in a part of the world that is a golfing paradise.”
The Algarve’s paradisiacal attractions for golfers include year-round sunshine, warm temperatures, and 43 nine or 18-hole courses along the coastline and inland. “Visitors will also feel safe in the knowledge that the Algarve has extensive precautions implemented, with hotels and courses having Clean & Safe certification, which has been introduced by Portugal Tourism in recent times.”