GTE has slowly been re-emerging from the confusion and disruption of the Covid Pandemic with a view to be back at full steam at the start of September. With travel restrictions still affecting bookings from overseas (although not all bookings), it has been great news for golf clubs that domestic travel has been flourishing and demand has on occasions outweighed supply…long may that continue.
The general word from our Tour Operators though is that enquiries about trips to Spain, Portugal, Turkey, and others in 2022 are flooding in, so it is inevitable that there will be a significant return to overseas travel next year as we gain greater control of the virus and life returns to some kind of normality. This could result in a calming down of the surge in interest for staycations, but there can be no doubt that the last 4-5 months has been a great opportunity for English golf clubs to remind golfers of the outstanding quality that exists on their doorstep.
GTE has visited courses in Northumberland, Devon and Surrey in recent weeks and the news from all is one of positivity, but also of caution about the future. We are in extraordinary times, and it remains very important to maintain good practise in relation to marketing and communication to keep the momentum going.
Additionally, news from Scotland and Ireland would suggest that many tee times for the premier courses are already booked up for 2022, so there will be an opportunity to entice more in bound golfers to England, particularly after the huge success and global TV coverage achieved by the superb Open Championship and Seniors Open at two of England’s most iconic venues.
Exciting times for golf travellers!
