Although currently a very minor sport in Brazil with equally negligible playing options, golf looks set for a period of significant expansion over the coming years as the tourism and resort industries in particular look to attract more golfing tourists.
A report released this week by Embratur, the Brazilian Tourism Institute, has detailed how Brazil’s approximately 45 golf resort have been performing extremely well in recent years, generating revenues of around R$1.1 billion per year and, importantly, attracting the types of tourists that spend significantly more than regular visitors.
In a bid to build on this base, Embratur has penned up an agreement with both the Brazilian Association of Resorts and the Brazilian Golf Confederation aimed at developing ways to promote the country’s golfing options in the international market. Initial ideas include roadshows and workshops in key markets and events around the world.
In other key indicators of golf’s expected rise, the inclusion of the sport in the 2016 Olympics has pricked up the ears of Brazilian sporting authorities intent on developing talent in time for their home Games, while the country’s growing economic strength is also helping the cause as millions of Brazilians climb the social ladder and seek new and more sophisticated exercise and leisure options. A range of resort and property development groups around the country are also looking at adding to Brazil’s underdeveloped golf course offering.