covid19
Tag: covid19Flexible Cancellations and Clear Health Information… Most Highly Valued by Tourists
This is the second part of our report outlining the conclusions of a survey we held among international golfing clients in early-September. The survey was conducted by personal email invitation to verified clients, and attracted 1,000 replies from clients in 28 countries (74% of them European). We explained some of the technical aspects in the first part and in the complete survey report.
In that initial report we analysed data in reference to cancellations, while here in the second part we compare the conclusions that can be drawn when it comes to respondents’ perception of Spain’s diverse destinations, as well as the key measures they take into account when assessing our bookings.
Only 11% of International Golfing Tourists are Considering a Trip to Spain in Autumn
This is one of the initial conclusions drawn from a survey we held among international golfing clients, with the aim of learning how bookings had been affected this year – as well as determining medium-term travel plans and the current perception of Spain’s main destinations.
The survey was conducted by personal email invitation to verified clients, and the preliminary results are based on 1,000 replies from clients in 28 countries (74% of them European) from 20 August.
It should be borne in mind that autumn and spring are the golfing high seasons in Spain and – although there are no official figures for golf’s impact on the economy and tourism sector – it is estimated that the market generates €2,400 million in directly related business revenue and 2.6 million tourists a year. Spain is the premier golf destination in Europe, with an estimated market share of 35%. A total of 28% of those surveyed indicated that they make more than three getaways a year to Spain or Portugal to play golf.
COVID-19 Travel Insurance
We want you to continue travelling, playing golf and enjoying all our services without any financial loss. In these post-coronavirus times, travel insurance is becoming more important than ever – especially as it has to cover cancellations, infections, quarantines, etc., due to the virus.
We have been studying and comparing various travel insurance options that cover these aspects related to COVID-19, and we have incorporated the possibility of contracting coverage with all our bookings.
Here we highlight two travel insurance options with COVID-19 coverage…
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- Holiday COVID (national):
- Travel cancellation costs up to €900
- Medical assistance up to €1,500
- Including reasons for contracting COVID-19 before travelling or during trip
- Repatriation due to airline bankruptcy
- Refund for cancelled holiday
- Coverage for pets
- Substitute vehicle for accident/breakdown
- Sending professional driver
- Coverage of sporting and adventure activities
- From €9.55/person
- Force majeure à la carte – free withdrawal:
- Travel cancellation costs up to €600
- Medical assistance up to €10.000
- Cancelled holiday up to €3,000
- Valid for sport-tourism and/or adventure activities
- Includes coverage for COVID-19 assistance
- From €30.56/person
- Holiday COVID (national):
You can take out either insurance coverage at the end of your booking process but bear in mind that it is essential to request them at the time you make your golf reservation. We will include the price in the quote and we will contract the insurance coverage when you confirm your reservation. If you require any specific coverage, do not hesitate to contact us and we will recommend the insurance that best suits your needs.
Remember, in any event, that we also offer our new “Super Flexible” options, with free cancellation until the last moment.
Golf Course re openings after COVID19
Which golf courses are open?
We are trying to keep you updated about the golf courses with which we collaborate that have already confirmed opening dates. Remember that right now it is mandatory to pre-book your green fee. You can do it by clicking on each link or calling us from 09:30 to 15:00. Keep in mind that these indications and dates are informative and will be subject to changes based on the government regulations.
Alicante
- La Sella Golf: May 11
- Las Colinas Golf & Country Club: May 11
- Bonalba Golf: May 11
- Vistabella Golf: May 11
- Lo Romero Golf: May 11
- Puig Campana Golf: May 11
- Campoamor: May 11
- La Marquesa: May 11
- Campo de Golf Villamartín: Open
- Font del Llop Golf Resort: May 18
- Altea Club de Golf: May 11
- El Plantío Golf: open
- Alenda Golf: May 22
New COVID-19 Protocol for Golf
Spain’s golf courses are preparing to re-open their facilities – and we couldn’t be happier! We believe this could help reactivate tourism in general, and promote and enhance the Spanish brand outside our borders.
A new golf protocol has been presented to Spain’s health authorities, incorporating a series of proposed measures and recommendations for golfers. Many other countries are already allowing golf to be played in accordance with similar protocols. Golf has specific characteristics which mean it can be both accessible and safe following the COVID-19 outbreak.
These include the fact it is a non-contact sport, so security measures can be maintained, it is played outdoors, and tee times can be booked online.
Changing Times Due To the COVID-19 Crisis
#COVID-19 has changed everyone’s life, and for us it has been a hard few weeks trying to look after our clients. First of all, those who were already travelling, and then those who needed to cancel their trips. And all this while we moved our operations to enable the whole team to work remotely. Nearly all the pending cancellations have already been processed, and we will be continuing to closely monitor the situation over the next few weeks.
The tourism sector, and by extension the commercial golf sector, is likely to be the most affected in Spain by this crisis, mainly because a lack of confidence will last longer than the effects of the virus. The decrease in sales has been absolute, so we have adopted a series of key measures, including temporarily reducing our business hours. They are now from 10am to 3pm from Monday to Friday, although we will be making adjustments every week, depending on demand and how the situation evolves.
This is unquestionably the most serious crisis experienced in the golf tourism sector in the 25 years since we launched GolfinSpain, an anniversary we were just about to start celebrating. Nevertheless, we have already decided to consider this period of “global shutdown” to be an opportunity and take advantage of the time to continue incorporating improvements to our website and the products we market.
We would like to send our thoughts and affection to those golf clubs and hotels that are suffering severely from this situation, and we also want to reassure all our clients and suppliers of our financial solvency and liability insurance as a travel agency, together with a restructuring plan that we have already applied. These ensure that we can approach this sales stoppage without suffering any financial risks and still be able to offer the best guarantees. Together, we will come out of this stronger.
#stayathome
