Del Sol Packaged (DSP)

There is no doubt that the Russians are catching the golf bug. There are brand new courses popping up all over

Moscow & St Petersburg and according to some data, the number of players is expected to grow from 5,000 to 25,000 over the next few years. Whilst it still may be a niche market, the number of courses being built in Moscow and St Petersburg and the number of players joining the Russian Golf Federation every year speak for themselves.  The cost barrier to join a Russian club for most means that it is less expensive to book through a tour operator and travel to abroad to play. Due to the lack of promotion of Spain in Russia until now, the destination of choice is Belek in Turkey. However, it is the view of many that Spain is of much higher quality and is much more desirable as a destination to most Russian golf enthusiasts. The challenge for Spain is to get the message through to Moscow that Spain and specifically the Costa del Golf, should be the destination of choice for the travelling Russian golfer.

In October & November, Del Sol Packaged (DSP) will be hosting 2 Golf tournaments specifically aimed at the Russian Golf Tourism market. Timed to coincide with the end of the Russian golf season, both tournaments are being actively promoted through the Russian Golf Clubs and recent collaboration with the Spanish Embassy’s Tourism Department in Moscow has already given a significant boost to the awareness of both competitions throughout Moscow and St Petersburg. The November tournament is the “Golf Style Cup 2010” and fourteen Invited guests have already confirmed their attendance to this exclusive tournament, open to sponsors only. The guests include the Managing Director of “Golf Style” Magazine as well as senior businessmen from sectors including the Moscow Golf Federation, Oil & Gas, Real Estate & Public Sector utilities. “Golf Style” magazine will run a 6 page feature on the visit experience and the golf tournaments.

DSP’s collaboration with the Spanish Embassy’s Tourism Department has increased the level of interest from this very affluent group of Russian golf enthusiasts. At a recent competition in Moscow in association with the Spanish Tourism department, the winner of the competition was presented with free entry including accommodation to the October tournament, the “DSP Marbella Cup 2010”, which will take place over 2 days at San Roque old and new courses on the 29^th and 30^th. Marina Robertson, Managing Director of DSP said “We are very proud to be hosting so many prominent Russian Businessmen and golfers here on the Costa del Sol. This visit marks the start of a new market opportunity for the region as I am sure Russian golf enthusiasts will be very impressed with the standards here”.

The recent success of Spanish sports stars on the Tennis court, football pitch and the number of Spaniards competing for Ryder cup places has created a buzz around the country and a feel good factor that many envy. The Spanish golf and residential tourism sector has many Russian Nationals interested in taking a serious look at what Spain has to offer them. Once they see, taste and enjoy the lifestyle, they know very quickly that it is tough to beat.

For more information contact Simon Robertson at the DSP press office on +34 951 89 40 26, or email to pressoffice@delsolpackaged.com

The Spanish companies show of strength at the Golf and Luxury Property Show held in Moscow last week was a clear sign that the Russian community as part of the local economy is becoming increasingly important to the Costa del Sol. Despite the chaos in Europe caused by the Icelandic volcano, more than 10 Spanish companies were represented amongst the 90 exhibitors all focused on the Golf and Real Estate sectors, both very important industries for the coast and Andalucia.

Over the past year a number of Russian focused businesses have opened as well as the launch of three new Russian language magazines to cater for the demand for Russian language publications. The number of Russian registered residents in Spain now tops over 190,000, with some 30,000 in Andalucia and it is a community that is set to continue to grow. The Russian Federation has a tiger economy and wealthy young Russian families have started to look to Europe as a place to settle and bring up their children. Schools, Colleges and the Real Estate companies have all seen a surge in enquires and registration from the growing numbers within Russian speaking community looking at Spain as the place to settle.

The Golf and Luxury Property Show is Moscow’s leading trade show within these sectors, although this is the first year in which the organizers in Russia have merged the previously separate shows. “The synergy for Real Estate and Golf Tourism makes it ideal for a number of Spanish businesses” said the organizer and Moscow based ExPat Kim Waddoup “We are very pleased that so many Spanish businesses see the opportunity in the Russian market and want to promote Spain as a destination market for the Russian community”.  Marina Robertson, a Russian National and Director of Del Sol Packaged, braved the ash cloud to attend the show for the first time. Marina said “ The opportunity to meet the Golf Associations, Golf tour operators, Real Estate promoters and to feel the positive attitudes towards Spain has been very encouraging. There are so many opportunities to promote the Costa del Sol to the growing golfing community here. Golf tourism in Spain and the Real Estate sectors will undoubtedly benefit from attending this years show”

There is no doubt that the Russians are catching the golf bug. There are brand new courses popping up all over and according to some data, the number of players is expected to grow from 5,000 to 25,000 over the next few years. Whilst it still may be a niche market, the number of courses being built in Moscow and St Petersburg and the number of players joining the Russian golfing federation every year speak for themselves.  The cost barrier to join a Russian club for most means that it is less expensive to book through a tour operator and travel to abroad to play. Due to the lack of promotion of Spain in Russia until now, the destination of choice is Belek in Turkey. However, it is the view of many that Spain is of much higher quality and is much more desirable as a destination to most Russian golfers.

During the summer Del Sol Packaged will be hosting a number of delegations from Moscow as a result of the show, which will include media, golf course designers, golf club owners, players and a number of tour operators. A famous movie once coined the phrase “The Russians are coming, the Russians are coming!” The Russians are indeed coming to the Costa del Sol.

For more information contact Simon Robertson at the DSP press office on +34 951 89 40 26, or email to pressoffice@delsolpackaged.com

If you’ve been considering a Costa del Sol golf holiday or have been itching to play in a pro style 4 day competitive golf tournament, here’s as good an excuse as you need to play in the spring sunshine  in southern Spain.

The Costa del Golf Challenge 2010 is the coast’s Premier Amateur Golf Tournament for 2010. Taking place between the 9^th and 14^th March 2010, the tournament will challenge golfers of all standards over 4 days on 4 great courses.  The golf will start at Los Flamingos on the first day (10^th March) and will then move onto Alferini, San Roque New Course and conclude at La Quinta Golf and Country Club. There are prizes for best score of each day, longest drive and nearest the pin and well as prizes for overall winners of the 4 day event.

With 5 nights accommodation at the H10 Andalucia Plaza Hotel in superior rooms (Double Occupancy) half board, golf transfers, on course snacks, a welcome cocktail, Gala prize giving dinner and free access to the Andalucia Plaza Casino for an all inclusive price of only €649 p.p. , The Costa del Golf Challenge 2010 is also great value for money.

The other good news is that just around the middle of March is when the weather gets perfect for golf, mid to low 20’s temperatures and a lot of sunshine, but significantly and importantly before the summer crowds head for Marbella, the traffic gets heavy and the hotels switch their high season summer rates.

For the non-golfer or those who simply would like to get some spring sunshine and enjoy the vibrant Marbella Town and Puerto Banus, there is also an accommodation only option from € 295. For the Costa del Sol resident golfer there is a Golf only package for € 316 which also includes the welcome drinks and the Gala dinner.

The tournament will consist of Fourball Betterball, ¾ handicap stableford format and the playing days are the 10^th, 11^th, 12^th & 13 March 2010.

The tournament is designed for 160 golfers of all nationalities, bookings have been taken from the USA, UK and Scandinavia and it is also being promoted throughout Russia. The tournament has a number of sponsorship opportunities:-

The Birdie Package (€ 1,900)

-         Exclusive hole sponsorship on all 4 golf courses
-         1 page brochure advert
-         Company branding on all literature
-         Invitation for a table of 10 at the Gala Dinner

The Eagle Package (€ 4,900)

-         All features of the Birdie Package plus;
-         Page editorial in event brochure
-         Sponsorship of Longest Drive, nearest the pin and best score of the day

The Albatross Package (€ 6,800)

-         All features of the Birdie Package plus;
-         Four page editorial/advert in event brochure
-         Golf towels & caps with Company logo
-         Sponsorship of the Costa del Golf Challenge Trophy
-         Company awareness desk in the H10 Hotel Lobby
-         Priority featuring of company at the Gala Dinner

For more information and to make a reservation, please call +34 951 89 40 26

March 2010 Sponsors proposal – please follow the link to submit PDF application form