Pent up demand from British tourists ready to give Spanish golf sector a major boost
- Buyers looking for golf homes with private outdoor space, pools and flexible internal areas (Taylor Wimpey España)
- Single-family homes account for record-breaking 20.43% of transactions (Q3 2020)
- Palma Tourism Board “confident” that British visitors will be some of earliest to return
Popular tourism destinations such as Spain have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but hopes are high that pent up demand from British holidaymakers will provide a significant boost this summer.
Spain’s golf industry, in particular, is eyeing up demand from British golfers. The sector is responsible for 120,000 jobs (direct and indirect) and the generation of nearly €13 billion, including €777 million in direct income from golf courses and €4,640 million in spending by golf tourists. As such, golf is a major player in Spain’s tourism offering, with 1.2 million golfers travelling to enjoy Spain’s fairways each year (2020, obviously, being a notable exception).
“Think of Spain and you immediately picture sunny beaches, great food and wine and world-class golf courses. Being able to spend time on the fairways year-round is an intrinsic part of Spain’s appeal. Not being able to visit Spain and play has been distressing for all those who enjoy golf as a way to stay fit and healthy and to spend time outdoors in beautiful natural surroundings.”
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España
British players are certainly missing golf – so much so that design and build firm Oakbridge Bespoke recently reported an increase in interest from clients wanting golf simulators in their own homes. Of course, even the fanciest of simulators can’t beat the feel of being out on the fairway, but it is hoped that British golfers won’t have to wait too much longer to do so. According to Pedro Homar, Director of the Palma Tourism Board,
“With the rate in which the UK is rolling out the vaccination, we are confident that the UK market will be one of the first to return to Palma… In terms of timings, we expect the UK market to return from around May onwards.”
Golf in Spain comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag. Indeed, the Golf Travel Centre recently worked out that the average Brit doing Dry January would save £343 from missing nights out (pandemic aside). That’s enough for a long weekend at the Costa del Sol’s stunning La Cala Golf Resort.
For many golfers, though, the odd weekend here and there just isn’t enough. They are looking for golf properties where they can play golf all year round, enjoying the lush greenery, sea views and abundant sunshine that are so good for mental as well as physical health. As such, many seek to buy golf properties that they can use whenever suits them.
The pandemic has, of course, impacted the kind of homes that golfers in Spain are seeking. According to leading Spanish home builder Taylor Wimpey España, buyers are looking for spacious terraces, communal areas and swimming pools as their top priorities (alongside access to first-rate golf facilities, of course). Open, flexible spaces within the home are also important, with many buyers now incorporating working from home in their plans for the way they will use their golf property. The option to practice other outdoors sports has also moved up buyers’ priority list, with socially distanced outdoor activities holding even more appeal than previously.
As in the UK, demand for rural and coastal area homes has increased, while more densely populated cities have fallen out of favour. Not only that, but buyers also looking for individual villas and townhouses, rather than apartments. The Association of Property Registrars, Movable Property and Mercantile of Spain report that the sale of single-family homes accounted for 20.43% of total transactions in Q3 2020 – the highest recorded percentage for this type of property.
“Single-family homes in quiet locations, with easy access to golf and other outdoor sports are experiencing strong demand right now. Buyers are looking for plenty of their own outdoor space, in addition to communal areas and shared pools.”
Marc Pritchard, Sales and Marketing Director of Taylor Wimpey España
In the Costa Blanca, where prices increased by 2% in 2020 despite the pandemic, according to Fotocasa, it is newly built, private developments that are turning buyers’ heads. At Kiruna Residencial, for example, just one key-ready home remains for sale, priced at €191,000 plus VAT. A further development in the area, Kiruna Hills, has properties available off-plan, priced from €193,800.
The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home at Kiruna Residencial boasts a 50 m2 roof terrace, a 26 m2 garden and a further terrace of 14 m2. The development offers views of the spectacular Sierra de las Aguilas Mountains, as well as Elche’s Alenda Golf, in which the property is located. Residents also benefit from a communal swimming pool, an array of landscaped gardens, a supermarket and a club house. There’s even a bilingual English/Spanish school for families looking to settle more permanently.
The Costa del Sol is, of course, renowned for its golf courses and Taylor Wimpey España’s Green Golf has everything that buyers are looking for there. Available from as little as €299,000 plus VAT, the frontline golf townhouses face southwest to make the most of the plentiful sunshine. The three bedroom, three-bathroom homes, which are ready to move in to, have large terraces that are ideal for outdoor dining, and make up a private, gated community with communal gardens and pools at Estepona Golf.
With Palma’s tourism director ‘confident’ that UK holidaymakers will be some of the first to return to Mallorca, many golfers are also eyeing up properties there as both potential second homes and main residences. One popular development is Canyamel Pins, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach at Canyamel and the Canyamel golf course. The two- and three-bedroom homes, with have large terraces for enjoying the unbeatable Mediterranean climate, are available from €335,000 plus VAT.
For more information please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit https://www.taylorwimpeyspain.com/. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.