Golfbreaks predicts golden year ahead

After reporting record-breaking figures for 2009, leading UK golf travel company Golfbreaks.com predicts this year will be a golden time for consumers looking for exciting deals, new golf destinations and closer-to-home UK breaks.
 
Last year 134,000 golfers booked with Golfbreaks.com – a 22% increase over the previous 12 months – and chief executive, Andrew Stanley, is already confident 2010 will be another good year for the consumer seeking great value holidays and breaks across the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
 
Andrew, who formed Golfbreaks.com in 1998, said: “Although the best prices will attract customers to book these holidays, the very best customer service and support is still a vital factor in the booking decision for golfers – 98% of the golfers who booked with us last year said the service they received was excellent, that’s just as important to me as the deals themselves.
 
“Consumers enjoyed some superb deals in 2009 and this year is already seeing that continue. Many golfers chose to play golf in the UK last year because of the wider economic situation but outside the UK, Spain still ranks as our most popular European destination.”
 
The UK golfers’ demand for Spanish sun is backed by some incredible deals, including a current offer to the five-star La Cala Golf Resort & Spa, Costa del Sol, from £239 per person for three nights’ B&B and three rounds of golf. This offer is exclusive to Golfbreaks.com with one-in-eight golfers in a party booking staying for free. Complimentary shared buggies and room upgrades are also available.
 
Closer to home, Golfbreaks.com have seen a huge rise in UK bookings, last year sending over 100,000 golfers on UK breaks, the first time it has broken through this milestone figure. Also, its sister business, teeofftimes.co.uk booked UK tee times for 45,000 golfers over the same period and expects that figure to dramatically increase in 2010.
 
Andrew added: “We’re finding that groups are booking early to guarantee tee times and are taking advantage of the many offers and incentives we have negotiated with our partners, which can include free buggies during the stay, free places and our Golfer’s Gift Pack worth over £100 (for bookings between now and Feb 28th, 2010), which contains TaylorMade golf balls, a shoe bag and bag towel.”
 
Golfbreaks.com is also seeing a growing interest in some emerging golf markets and Andrew predicts 2010 will be a very good year for the Turkish golf business.
 
“More airlines have opened up flights into the Antalya region of Turkey and this is great news for golfers who can mix five-star hotels with some of the best signature courses in Europe designed by the likes of Nick Faldo and European Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie,” he added.
 
To illustrate the great value Turkey has to offer, Andrew cites one of his company’s current offers to the five-star Sueno Hotels Golf Resort at Belek, Antalya, Turkey from £365 per person for five nights’ half board and three rounds of golf. What’s more, if a group of eight book, one golfer from the party travels for free!
 
Some of the most popular current breaks include:
 
• The Belfry 4*, Warwickshire: From £79 per person for a night’s B&B and two rounds of golf.
 
• De Vere Oulton Hall 4*, West Yorkshire: From £89 per person for one night’s dinner, B&B and two rounds of golf. Plus book a group of 16 or more and receive one free place, this offer is EXCLUSIVE to Golfbreaks.com and includes 20% discount on all bar drinks for groups of 16+.

• Marriott Forest of Arden 4*, Warwickshire: From £99 per person for one night’s dinner, B&B and two rounds of golf. Plus book a group of 16 or more and receive one free place.
 
Andrew Stanley concluded: “Although it’s challenging for hotels and resorts to forecast their business because customers are waiting for last-minute deals, consumers are taking advantage of some great January deals.”