The UAE has become one of the leaders in the global golf tourism sector, facilitated by the large volume of investment in the development of sports infrastructure in recent years, according to a study by global audit firm KPMG. The KPMG Golf Travel Insights annual survey for the first time included the UAE in the top 10 global global destinations.
Taking the sixth place in the ranking, the emirate was ahead of such major centers of sports tourism as the United States and South Africa. Luxurious championship-standard golf courses, including on the island of Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi, attracted much more athletes and fans of this elite sport than England, France and Thailand.
The main role in enhancing the role of Abu Dhabi was played by the excellent conditions created here for tourists and athletes. Dubai has already invested a significant amount of funds in the development of golf courses, now Abu Dhabi has also joined the process, so the whole country has become a leader. In 2012, 9.3% more golf tours were sold than in 2011, and the total cost of such vouchers reached US $ 1.95 billion. In total, 1.6 million golfers rested and trained last year. Still the most popular destinations for this sport are Spain, Portugal and Scotland.
