Ragnheiður Jónsdóttir | April. 26. 2012 | 20:20

Per Persson´s view on Iceland as a Golf Destination – The Swedish Experience

A conference was held today by Golf in Iceland, at the Hilton Nordica Hotel in Reykjavík. The subject matter of the conference was „Iceland as a golfing destination”. Among visiting guest speakers was Per Persson, Project Manager Golf & Research from Tourism in Skåne, Sweden. He spoke a.o. about the „Swedish experience” and what Sweden had done in order to attract golf tourists.

Per started his speech by saying that it was nice to be back in Iceland. Last time he had been flyfishing in Iceland and the next time he would definately bring his golfclubs. He said he loved Iceland and loved being in Iceland.  Iceland had really good quality golf courses… but what was maybe just as important was to feel warm and welcomed and have a nice meal after 18 holes. And then Iceland had special scenery, very close to the most populated towns.

Peter has been working in the golf industry in the southerm most part of Sweden,Skåne. Skåne is Sweden´s hottest golf region. For example 70 golfcourses can be reached within a driving distance of  1,5 hrs.

According to KPMG´s 2011 report there are 454 golfcourses in Sweden.  That accounts for 1 golfcourse per 20.739 Swedes, which is an extremely high golfcourse/per capita ratio, one of the highest in the world. Iceland currently holds the world record with 66 golfcourses i.e. 1 golfcourse per 4825 Icelander.

Well, back to Sweden. Most of the courses are in the southern part of Sweden. Sweden has alot of golfers that are known all around the world, for example Peter Hanson, Annika Sörenstam, Henrik Stenson, Robert Karlson and Richard S. Johnson.  People are often surprises and ask how it´s possible to have such world class golf players from Sweden?   The reason for this is that the Swedish Golf Federation has had in place a very good program for young talents.  Per said when he´s driving to work in Malmö he can often see young golfers on their bikes with their clubs on the back riding to the next pracice areas or golfcourses.

According to Per, Sweden and Iceland have alot in common – The countries are trying to do the same things, they are promoting the same thing and the golf season is pretty much the same length i.e. from April – October.  In the southernmost part of Sweden golfcourses are playable all year round but although Per said he played all year he said he wouldn´t want to sell Golf Trips to Sweden all year round.  Well by saying that he sparked interest at least in me to go and play golf in Sweden off season!  When you have played golf in the best possible condition it´s fun to say to have played golf in Skåne in December!

So what do Iceland and Sweden have in common, a.o. these points, which Per mentioned were attractive about Sweden as a golfing destination:

It´s easy to visit Sweden

Well developed infra structure

English spoken by all

Tourism appreciated – tee times highly accessible

A safe society

2,5 hrs. flying time from London to Stockholm, Sweden  (3 hrs. flying time from London to Iceland)

 

Golf toursists in Sweden (just like in Iceland) get:

Good value for money 10€ = 94 SEK  (167 ISK)

Standard greenfee from 40€

Standard lunch price from 8€

Pint of beer 4€

Accomodation from 60€ per night

Transportation to and from golfcourses in Sweden is expensive which makes for that Sweden is only in 8th or 9th place as offering the most favorable golf packages.

What attracts golfers to Sweden are the big golf competitions, which a well known in the golfing world, for example The Scandinavian Masters.  Scandinavia has despite all only 7% in the European Golf Tourism Market 2011 (Source IAGTO)

What is good about the Swedish system is the Citybreak system for efficient planning & booking of a golftrip:

Most Swedish golf clubs are connected to the GIT system

Most hotels and accomodation are connected to Citybreak.

According to Per you have two options as a tour operator or consumer when ordering a Golf Trip:

1. Book packages directly from your computer

2. Book packages traditionally via incoming agent

In a span of 6 years the turnover from incoming golf tourists is Sweden had been moving upwards. In 2005 the turnover was SEK 21.660 and had increased to 1.478.944,- in 2011. The turnover is picking up, but according to Per it takes time, one has to keep working, promoting and building connections.

At last there is well worth mentioning one of the many interesting things that Per mentioned in his speach. That is about the competition which is held among the Skåne´s golfclubs for the best dish… since it scores high in any „feel-good factor” of a Golf Club. The competition is called „Skåne´s Bästa Golfkrog”  The chefs a competing for a Golf Club have to prepare a compulory Swedish dish – the comptition is advertised and people judge and give grades from 1-8 about what they think is the best dish.  The winners  from the first competition compete again against each other in a 2nd competition, now infront of a jury  – and then the entry from the chefs is by choice. At the 2nd competition the best chef of a particular Golf Club restaurant in Skåne is chosen. What a magnificient idea and one well worth considering trying here in Iceland!!! You can read more about the competition about the best dish in Swedish golfclubs by clicking HERE -WWW.GOLFKROGAR.SE