The Madeira Promotion Bureau and the Portuguese archipelago’s three golf venues held a combined total of more than 100 meetings across the three days of the IAGTO European Convention (IEC) in Malaga, Spain, from May 18–20, and said the level of trade interest had left them confident heading into the rest of the 2026 golf season.
The annual convention, which IAGTO said was set to attract a record 900 delegates this year, brings together golf tour operators, tourism suppliers, destinations and service providers from across Europe, Africa and the Gulf States. Meetings at IEC are pre-scheduled at delegates’ request, so a full diary reflects demand from the buying side of the market.
Madeira’s delegation
Madeira’s presence in Malaga included the Madeira Promotion Bureau alongside representatives from the island’s three golf venues, Palheiro Golf, Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe, as well as the Dreams Madeira Resorts, Spa & Marina. The delegation used its meetings to present Madeira’s golf product, gastronomy and cultural experiences to operators and suppliers from the UK, continental Europe, Africa and the Gulf States.
A spokesperson for the Madeira Promotion Bureau said: “We were delighted by the level of interest and engagement we received at this year’s IAGTO European Convention. Across the three days, our team and partners held a full schedule of meetings with tour operators and industry professionals from across the UK and Europe, highlighting the appeal of Madeira as a world-class golf destination.”
Ponta do Pargo as a 2027 draw
One of the main topics of discussion at Madeira’s meetings was Ponta do Pargo Golf, an 18-hole course designed by six-time major winner Sir Nick Faldo that is scheduled to open in 2027. The project featured prominently in the delegation’s pitch and, according to the Madeira Promotion Bureau, has increased trade interest in the destination.
“The continued growth in demand for golf in Madeira is extremely encouraging, particularly as we look ahead to the opening of Ponta do Pargo Golf in 2027, which will further strengthen our position as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations,” the spokesperson said.
Current golf offering
Madeira currently has three established courses spread across the archipelago. Palheiro Golf is an 18-hole, par-72 championship layout set nearly 500 metres above sea level within a botanical estate overlooking Funchal. Clube de Golf Santo da Serra is a 27-hole Robert Trent Jones Sr. design on the island’s eastern side. Porto Santo Golfe, on the neighbouring island of Porto Santo, is an 18-hole course designed by Seve Ballesteros.
The destination packages its golf through the Madeira Golf Passport, which bundles rounds at Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf with free transfers between course and hotel. The passport can be upgraded to include additional rounds and a day at Porto Santo Golfe.
Access and climate
Located roughly 1,000km from the European mainland and 500km from the African continent, Madeira has a mild sub-tropical climate with summer temperatures around 25°C and winter temperatures around 17°C, making it playable year-round. The archipelago is a three-and-a-half-hour flight from London and has direct connections with major European cities, as well as a direct route to the United States.
With the Ponta do Pargo project on track for 2027 and operator interest growing, Madeira’s trade presence in Malaga underlined the island’s hopes of maintaining momentum through 2026 and beyond.
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Simon Bale
Simon Bale is the publisher of Golf Today. A low single-figure handicap golfer, he was previously a major shareholder and course reviewer for Top100GolfCourses.com for over a decade, starting in 2010. Through this role, he developed extensive knowledge of golf course design and architecture while playing more than 300 courses worldwide.
Simon is also the founder of Media Drive, a leading digital golf marketing agency which he successfully directed from 2008 to 2024.
As a lifelong student of the game, Simon takes an analytical approach to both equipment technology and swing mechanics—insights sharpened by two years working in a pro shop under the guidance of experienced professional Rae Sargent, alongside 15 years in equipment marketing. His deep understanding of the elite and professional game is further reinforced by his role as the father of elite-level Surrey county player Henry Bale, and by the strategic partnerships he forged with the PGA Tour and DP World Tour (DPWT) throughout his career at Media Drive.
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