Naples, FL: Golf tourism in full swing
Monday, 02 Feb, 2016
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Last week’s successful Florida Huddle travel trade gathering in Tampa has brought a renewed focus on Gulf coast tourism. Every region of Florida was showcased to international travel buyers from 17 countries, with Tampa itself in the shop window.
The resort city of Naples on Florida’s Paradise Coast has also been in the spotlight, promoting its diverse tourism offerings. Long considered an upscale retreat for retirees, the city has evolved to appeal to a wider market of young families and couples. Aside from its renowned white sand beaches, which are consistently ranked among the very best in the US, golf tourism is also a major lure.
Naples is the number one destination in the US based on the National Golf Foundation’s rankings of golf holes per capita, with more than 90 golf courses in the Greater Naples metro area alone. Golf is a major contributor to tourism revenue, hosting three major televised tournaments each year. The ACE Group Classic, part of the PGA Champions Tour tees off each February at TwinEagles Golf Club; the LPGA’s season finale CME Group Tour Championship is played in November followed by the Greg Norman hosted Franklin Templeton Shootout in December, both held at Tiburon Golf Club.
It is easy to see why Florida’s Paradise Coast was chosen by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators as 2014 Golf Destination of the Year-North America. The Naples area has a wide variety of championship standard public courses accessible to visiting players such as the TPC Treviso Bay course, and the Flamingo Island and Mustang courses at Lely Resort.
For play and stay guests, there are numerous options for visitors to get into the swing at some of the best golf resorts in the country. Resorts with their own courses include LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Naples Grande Beach Resort, Marco Beach Ocean Resort, and the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort.
Even some of Naples’ prestigious private clubs welcome non-members during the quieter months of May through December when visitors can often snag significant discounts on hotel room rates.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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