The 2024 Golf Holiday Review
Our clients have always been more adventurous than most golfers and 2024 saw clients visiting no fewer than 32 different countries around the world. Among the less obvious destinations were Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Sicily, Mauritius, Mallorca, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Bermuda, Oman and Vietnam.
The demand for all encompassing resorts like Costa Navarino in Greece, Camiral in Spain and Verdura in Sicily continues as well as the number of clients travelling with three (or more!) generations of their clan for get-togethers and special destinations.
Independent and boutique hotels tend to be more popular in traditional European destinations such as Auberge du Jeu de Paume in Chantilly and Hotel Bendinat in Mallorca. Whereas the more recognised and famous hotel brands and names are required further afield – for example, Sandy Lane in Barbados and St Regis in Abu Dhabi.
How We Performed
I am pleased to say that 90% of our client reviews are 5* with the remainder losing a star because of the weather or flight delays…So we are practising our sun dances every week and praying that British Airways improve this year! Our Vamoos Holiday App continues to be much appreciated and our new-look and ever-detailed quotations (complete with map) give you all the information you need before you spend your money.
As ever, every one of our clients and their needs are different and it’s a privilege to be trusted to make their holidays successful for them and their loved ones. Thank you.
The Year Ahead
For 2025, Morocco (the Jack Nicklaus-designed Michlifen near Fes is pictured above) will continue to grow as more golfers appreciate the weather, the quality of golf courses and hotels, ease of access and the value. Turkey and Portugal have pushed up their prices but there are certain times of the year when Turkey is a bargain and the Eastern Algarve and Lisbon Coast still offer terrific value for Portugal. I’m delighted that Brittany and Normandy in France are coming back in vogue for those who want to avoid flying and experience the soul-satisfying sights, ambience and food just across the Channel. Belgium continues to appeal for those in the know with easy-to-get-to Bruges offering great apres-golf and several very fine golf courses although I’m surprised that the Brabant-Wallon region (Waterloo and Brussels) has yet to regain its pre-Covid appeal. After contracting with many more hotels and courses in Italy, I’m hoping that more clients will venture to Bella Italia; it’s expensive but unique in style
We’re seeing more clients wanting to go on touring holidays where we organise several hotels over a two/three week period, taking in some lovely golf courses and sights along the way – for example the stunning Basque region which stretches from near Biarritz in France to the dramatically beautiful Galicia area on the north west coast of Spain. Long-haul holidays are back with a vengeance with Asia and the Caribbean providing an “exotic flavour with known quality”. Barbados – the long-standing go-to destination for sunshine and style – is good value from March to November and Thailand and Vietnam provide fantastic value for money, a huge variety of culture to experience and gorgeous courses which have plenty of space to space.