Friday, 26 February 2010 16:04
Portugal is bidding to host the 2018 Ryder Cup, when it takes place for the second time in history outside the British Isles. The Portuguese Golf Federation, at the invitation of the European Tour, is currently working on the official Bid which will be presented to Ryder Cup Europe LLP on the 30th of April 2010. Portugal is a country with unique features regarding the conditions to play Golf, it has established itself as one of the best Golf destinations in the world. Golf has been selected as one of the top 10 key tourism products to develop in the next few years and currently generates revenues of € 1.8 billion through 1.4 million rounds of golf sold annually. The Ryder Cup, the biennial match which confronts the best players in Europe against USA, is the third largest sporting event in the world and has guaranteed media coverage of 2,000 journalists, photographers and broadcasts to over 500 million homes in over 180 countries. It is estimated that the number of spectators can reach 300,000 over the five days of the event.
The Ryder Cup is a national project and will serve, not only to promote the region that will host the Ryder Cup, but all regions that have Golf as a tourism product. The annual investment required by Ryder Cup Europe LLP will be approximately €12 Million which will be invested in professional tournaments of the European, Senior and Challenge Tours and in the promotion of Golf.
Portugal National Tourist Office