Discover Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s first-ever Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), announced that Puerto Rico golf courses and resorts report substantial growth in rounds and revenue during the first four months of 2019 (compared to the same timeframe last year), a positive trend mirroring the Island’s robust tourism ascension.
The golf club at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort in Rio Grande is thriving, capturing a 128% revenue increase January-May, with rounds played rising 56% for the period.
“We’ve invested substantial resources in the property, forecasting that our new clubhouse and its innovative amenities, our first-class courses, and our mandate to exceed our guest and member expectations would successfully drive demand and satisfaction,” said Jamie West, Director of Rio Mar Country Club, a Troon-managed property.
TPC Dorado Beach Director of Golf Jeff Willenberg describes his club’s financial performance as exceptional.
“We have clearly exceeded expectations,” said Willenberg, who oversees a 36-hole golf operation with membership and public play.
“The TPC Dorado Beach club membership has grown at an incredible pace this year. Golf rounds are doing so well that we’ve had to make hard decisions in limiting outside play so our members and our [Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve resort] guests can fully enjoy our golf courses and are cared for in the elite manner they expect.”
The golf niche increases align with recently published Discover Puerto Rico tourism statistics. These include January – April 2019 occupancy spending reaching $373.6 million, the highest in the past eight years, and an increase of 12.4 percent when compared to 2017 pre-hurricane Maria levels. The Island’s rapid lodging spend growth was driven by a rise in bookings of vacation rental properties, accounting for 23 percent of the notable jump. This is also underscored by strong passenger arrivals – a rising number of which are travellers who golf – which are on par with levels of pre-hurricane Maria, reaching 1.5 million for the January – April timeframe.
“We’re thrilled to see this volume of travellers experiencing all that Puerto Rico has to offer – not the least of which is golf – and supporting the visitor economy of the Island, which directly impacts the local community. Our research-driven approach, combined with award-winning publicity and marketing campaigns, have driven quick results for the Island,” said Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico.
There are 17 golf courses on Puerto Rico (all welcoming public play), a significant number for the Island’s quaint size. They range in category from luxury resort to municipal, spread across all four sides of the Island – several clustered near historic San Juan – as well as located inland. Ocean front views, omnipresent palm trees, and mountain and rainforest vistas define the golf club settings. Price points, terrain, layout style, and related amenities are as varied as they are complementary. Specific details for the Island and its golf courses and resorts can be found at Discover Puerto Rico Golf.
For more information on Island golf courses, resorts, and other destination attractions, visit: https://DiscoverPuertoRico.com.
PRESS RELEASE C/O IAGTO