Published on : Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Its beaches, coastal villages and mountains inspired artistic genius Salvador Dali – now Costa Brava’s picturesque golf courses have been captured in the photographer’s lens with a new collection of images to promote the region in 2014.
Situated in the north east of Spain, close to the Pyrenees and boasting the historic city of Girona at its heart, the Costa Brava – meaning ‘rugged coast’ – is one of Europe’s most cultured golf destinations.
Featuring Spain’s highest concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, including the acclaimed three-Michelin star El Celler de Can Roca in Girona – ranked 1st in Restaurant Magazine’s World Top 50 dining venues – the region is enjoying a growing reputation as a distinctive golf travel destination, and is benefiting from proactive tourism marketing and social media campaigns.
The Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board commissioned golf course photographer Steve Carr to shoot a compelling portfolio of pictures capturing the beauty and challenge of the region’s leading courses.
“A number of our golf venues and resorts have invested in course and facility upgrades in the past two years, so it was the right time to showcase the destination with a new portfolio of pictures,” said Ramón Ramos, Director of the Costa Brava Girona Tourist Board.
“Following this year’s successful International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) event, we have had an increased number of tour operators interested in promoting our region as a leading golf destination and we wanted to ensure they had the best collateral.”
Fifty tour operators and travel agencies from 23 countries took part in post-IGTM familiarisation trips to Costa Brava, enabling the attendees to experience the region, its golf courses, world-famous gastronomy and rich heritage.
“There are many golfing destinations in Spain,” continued Ramón Ramos, “and, given the findings of a new study of European golfers, which confirmed Spain as the No.1 golf travel destination*, we realised the importance of showcasing what Costa Brava offers in terms of great courses, including the country’s number one course at PGA Catalunya Resort**, as well as the experiences, value and climate.
Steve Carr, who has experienced some of the world’s top courses, including Augusta National, USA, Mission Hills, China and many of the courses on the Open Championship rota, said: “There are few more pleasant places in Europe to visit and play golf than the Costa Brava. The variety in landscapes, from coastal courses to pine forest to rolling layouts in the foothills of the Pyrenees, makes it a photographer’s dream.
“What makes the mix even more special is the variety of world-class courses and friendly, member’s clubs. Wherever you go, there is a warm Catalan welcome and outstanding hospitality.”
Located an hour north of Barcelona and easily accessible thanks to Girona-Costa Brava Airport – an important Ryanair hub – the region is home to many prestigious golf resorts and other attractions, Michelin-starred restaurants and a wide variety of accommodation, from luxury hotels to farmhouses.
*A SPORTS MARKETING SURVEYS INC study, commissioned by Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of the International Golf Travel Market, which took place in Costa Daurada, Catalonia, Spain in November 2013, entitled ‘European Spotlight on Golf Tourism to Spain’.
Tags: Destination News
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