The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has designated the Costa del Sol as the Best European Golf Destination for a second time as part of the European Convention in Gran Canaria

Francisco Salado, President of the Provincial Government of Malaga and Turismo Costa del Sol, has hailed the recognition as proof of the excellent quality of the destination’s tourism opportunities.

The Costa del Sol has been recognised for the second time as the Best European Golf Destination by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), as part of IAGTO’s 2025 European Convention (IEC), held from 19 to 21 May at the ExpoMeloneras Convention Centre in Gran Canaria.

This annual event, considered the European sector’s most productive and accessible gathering, brings together some 800 representatives of the golf tourism industry from Europe, Africa and the Gulf States.

IAGTO is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry. Its membership includes more than 2,700 golf tour operators, resorts, golf hotels, airlines, tourism offices and specialist media from 98 countries.

This award, whose winner is selected by professionals in the sector, highlights the Costa del Sol’s excellence and ongoing appeal as the destination of choice for golfers from all over the world, recognising the quality of its courses, its tourism infrastructure and its overall visitor experience.

The Costa del Sol’s selection as the best European golf destination was based on direct evaluation by tour operator members of IAGTO, who are responsible for more than 87% of the golf packages sold worldwide. Around half of the buyers attending IEC 2025 come from the top 22% strongest outbound markets in the sector, figures which underline the significance of this award.

Francisco Salado, President of the Provincial Government of Malaga and Turismo Costa del Sol, expressed his pride on receiving the award, stating that “this recognition, awarded by highly qualified professionals from the sector, confirms our position as a global benchmark destination in golf tourism. The Costa del Sol remains a safe bet thanks to the quality of its facilities, its connectivity and its wide range of services and activities”.

Salado asserted that “with more than 70 golf courses - almost 70% of the total number in Andalusia - the Costa del Sol not only leads the segment at national level but ranks as one of the continent’s most attractive destinations for golf tourism. This award offers a key impetus to further develop our strategy of de-seasonalising tourism and attracting visitors with high purchasing power.”

Meanwhile, Andalusia’s Minister for Tourism and the Exterior, Arturo Bernal, stressed that the IAGTO award “confirms, once again, that the Costa del Sol and Andalusia set the gold standard for golf tourism in Europe”.  He also drew attention to the "top-of-the line" opportunities offered by the Malaga destination and indicated that the award is "a recognition of the joint effort made by the sector’s clubs, professionals and companies and the local authorities to offer a global experience that transcends golf and encompasses experiences, gastronomy, culture and the Mediterranean lifestyle".

According to Bernal, the Andalusian Regional Government "promotes a strategy that consolidates the entire community as an undisputed leader in southern Europe and a benchmark player in the global golf market", an industry that "creates stable employment and attracts off-season visitors with high purchasing power - a key driving force for tourism’s economic impact, sustainability, excellence and international competitiveness".

The award was presented during the 2025 IEC Gala Awards Dinner, held in spectacular surroundings and followed by the traditional IAGTO After Party, which brings an end to each year’s prestigious event.

The convention includes two days of pre-arranged business meetings between IAGTO tour operator members and golf industry suppliers from all across Europe. In parallel, the IEC golf tournament was held at four outstanding courses in Gran Canaria, located a short distance from the hotels hosting the event.

The convention was also the focus of an extensive promotional agenda for Turismo Costa del Sol, including strategic meetings and visibility-raising actions to consolidate the destination’s image as a leader in quality, infrastructure and services within the international golf tourism industry.