“GOLF”

An unexplored treasure for Greece.

 Quick Golf Information
♦ World-wide, golf is a USD 60 billion industry with 30,730
courses globally and 57 million golfers.
♦ In Europe, the number of courses has more than doubled in the
past sixteen years
♦ The number of registered golfers has grown by an average of
6% per annum
♦ 65% of European golfers are interested in "golf tourism" and
70% of them are looking for new destinations -- preferably a
short-haul destination (i.e. a maximum three-hour flight).
♦ Golf started in the States as an elite sport and thanks in part to
the arrival of Arnold Palmer in the middle 1960's gradually
evolved into the Volksport it is today
 Golf Status in Greece
♦ Greece currently has 5 golf courses (population 11 million)
♦ Only one 12-hole course in Athens (population 4,5
million) that was established in 1962
♦ Other 4 golf courses located in the islands of Corfu,
Rhodes, Crete and one on the coast of Macedonia in
Halkidiki region
♦ It would be safe to say that Greeks have not really taken up
the game of golf
♦ General belief of golf, still,
as an elite sport
♦ Greece is not considered as a
great golfing destination

Porto-Carras hotel golf course in Halkidiki

 Greece & Tourism
♦ Tourism probably contributes close to 20% to Greek GDP,
directly and indirectly, and accounts for about one in six of
all jobs in the country
♦ 12-14 million arrivals that generate an income of EUR 10-
20 billion per year
♦ Steadily declination in tourism industry in the last decade
♦ Prices are rapidly converging with European levels, thus
the country is losing its comparative advantage as an
inexpensive destination.
♦ Majority of the tourists arrive in a 90-day period between
mid-June and mid-September crowding venues and
straining infrastructure
♦ Last decade stronger competition is coming from Turkey,
Egypt, and the Dalmatian coast that offer similar products
at cheaper prices
 Greece & Tourism (the next day)
♦ There must be diversification in order to spread the
arrivals throughout the year
♦ Offer a multitude of new venues of which the country has
many
♦ Development of facilities for conferences, city breaks,
golf, yachting, skiing, spa and medical tourism
♦ Governmental assistance to tourism industry*

Golf course in Crete

 *Assistance to Tourism
♦ Grants: Special rules apply for tourism. The state is
seeking to upgrade the hotel stock of the country and to
integrate hotels with other amenities.
♦ Grant aid is available for construction,
extension, and modernisation of B-class
hotels and higher
♦ Accommodation will be integrated with
other facilities, such as harbors, airfields,
heliports, and marinas
♦ Incentives are also available for the construction of
amenities such as marinas and of course golf courses

Source: Ministry of National Economy

 *Assistance to Tourism
Grant
(continued…)
Area Own participation a b c
A 40 -- 15 25
B 40 10 30 35 Source: Ministry of
National Economy
C 40 15 30 35
D 30 25 30 35
Thrace 20 35 35 35
a. Construction of B class hotels and above in areas of Integrated Tourist
Development.
b. Conversions to hotels of buildings designated as traditional or under a
preservation order.
c. Construction and operation of marinas, golf courses, thermal and sea-
bathing spas, health farms, winter tourism centers and conference centers.
 Why Invest on Golf in Greece?
♦ Golf is new as an idea and as a sport. Not many facilities
for golf in the country where tourism is the #1 industry
♦ The aging of the population in industrialised countries
means a growing market of people with more discretionary
income and more available time to travel, Greece is also
one of those countries.
♦ Greece’s Mediterranean climate provides for excellent golf
playing conditions year round
Why Invest on Golf in Greece?
♦ Greek government currently seeks to marry the concepts of
tourism, urban regeneration and golf development with
sustainable development to produce multi-faceted
complexes that combine resorts and leisure facilities with
residential and holiday housing
♦ A golfing trip to Greece is also
a journey to the roots of
civilisation with outstanding
sightseeing, in a country famed
for its countless artistic and
natural treasures
 Final Thought
♦ Golf has evolved tremendously from the rudimentary
game that was first played in Europe more than five
centuries ago. Today it provides the focus for
developments that embrace, as well as hotel complexes,
spas, fitness and thalassotherapy centres, casinos, marinas,
vineyards, conference destinations, theme/amusement
parks and real estate projects such as residential
communities, vacation rentals and timeshare properties.
♦ Having Greece’s legacy in tourism and developing golf as
an idea and as an activity also for the Greeks…..
The future for Greece is GREEN!
…and Golf must be
the next big thing!