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

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.  Del Sol Packaged (DSP) is heading for Moscow in April to attend the first Moscow Golf & Luxury Property Show to promote the Costa del Sol and Golf tourism to high net worth Russian clients.

Teeing Off at the Moscow Golf Club

As we know only too well, the Costa del Sol is one of the world’s premier destinations for golf tourism and has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in Europe! The Costa del Sol also has some of the best golfing resources in Europe, from the professional coaches and training facilities to accommodation to suit all budgets and tastes. However, there are no Russian speaking golf professionals the length of the coast and Russians like any other nationality wants to seek out its own group and get support, help and advise in its own language.

The Moscow Golf & Luxury Property Show is Russia’s first 2 day event starting April 23^rd. More than 5,000 guests are expected to attend and the show is uniting the Golf show with the Luxury Property show. “The show is evidence that Golf in Russia is a growing sport. It is the perfect opportunity for the Costa del Sol to introduce itself onto the Russian golfing scene, to network with the Russian golfing community and to meet Russian golf tour operators”  says Marina Robertson, Managing Director of DSP-Spain. “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” Marina continued “It’s a trend that the Costa del Sol cannot afford to ignore”.

DSP–Spain, is a Relocation and Corporate Event Management Company that has a significant Russian speaking client base. DSP-Spain has the marketing expertise, linguistic ability and connectivity to the Russian community throughout Spain. It can also support other organisations based in Spain or abroad that wish to penetrate the Russian speaking expatriate community.

For more information, please contact Marina Robertson at info@delsolpackaged.com, call +34 951 89 40 26 or go online to www.delsolpackaged.com

The “Think Tank Advisory Group” comprises representatives and foreign business groups in the area, among which are the Center for Tourist Initiatives (CIT), the British Chambers of Commerce and German-American Club and Dutch Business Club

The City Council, through the municipal delegation of Tourism, has launched an advisory group, called “Think Tank Advisory Group”, with the aim of bringing together the international business sector about an integration project in cooperation with the Center Tourist Initiative (ILC) in Marbella. The project seeks to advance economic development in the town and its surroundings.

“The group will develop joint actions to achieve integration between the business community and foreigners resident in Marbella in the first phase and then address Spanish business in the second phase”, stressed the Councilor for Tourism, José Luis Hernandez.

He recalled that 137 nationalities living in Marbella for that “must be integrated to become a rich resource, not an element of division”.

Mr Hernandez explained that the initiative comprises representatives and business groups in the area among which are the British Chambers of Commerce and German-American Club, Dutch Business Club, in addition to individual entrepreneurs.

The “Think Tank Advisory Group” has already become operational and the first event will take place on April 14 at 16.30 at the Trade Fair and Congress. The first of the Annual International Business Association of Marbella, which will address draft issues such as the new General Urban Plan (General Plan), the project of the Consortium of Tourism and the presentation of the participating groups themselves.

The advisory group also works on other actions and activities to achieve its objectives. Among them are the proposal to hold a trade show in Spanish and foreign entrepreneurs through the ILC or the “Buddy Program” that will look for companies with a complementary profile to develop joint business projects.

It will also develop networking initiatives, such as golf tournaments, “which will allow the City Council set the stage for the business has a permanent and direct contact.

It is also expected to carry out specialized language classes, which are highly demanded by foreign businessmen, and an advisory service on public grants and applicable to businesses that develop this business group.

Finally, the councilor for Tourism was accompanied at the presentation  by Laura Stanbridge, representing the British Chambers of Commerce and the American Club, Jose V. Rehnelt, the German Chamber of Commerce and entrepreneurs Simon and Marina Robertson, Michael R. Foltinger and Louise Cook.

El Ayuntamiento pone en marcha un grupo de asesores con el objetivo de facilitar la integración a los empresarios internacionales

El “Think Tank Advisory Group” integra a representantes y colectivos empresariales extranjeros presentes en la zona entre los que se encuentran el Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas (CIT), las Cámaras de Comercio Británica y Alemana, American Club y Dutch Business Club

El Ayuntamiento, a través de la delegación municipal de Turismo, ha puesto en marcha un grupo de asesores, denominado “Think Tank Advisory Group”, con el objetivo de aglutinar al sector empresarial internacional en torno a un proyecto de integración en cooperación con el Centro de Iniciativas Turísticas (CIT) de Marbella. El proyecto busca avanzar en el desarrollo económico del municipio y de su entorno.

“El grupo desarrollará acciones conjuntas para alcanzar la máxima integración entre la propia comunidad empresarial extranjera residente en nuestro municipio en una primera etapa para, posteriormente, avanzar también en la misma línea con los empresarios españoles”, ha subrayado el concejal de Turismo, José Luis Hernández.

Ha recordado que en Marbella conviven 137 nacionalidades a las que “hay que integrar para que se conviertan en un factor de riqueza y no en un elemento de fraccionamiento”.

El edil ha explicado que la iniciativa integra a representantes y colectivos empresariales de la zona entre los que se encuentran las Cámaras de Comercio Británica y Alemana, American Club, Dutch Business Club, además de contar con emprendedores a título individual.

El “Think Tank Advisory Group” ya ha comenzado a funcionar y la primera cita tendrá lugar el próximo 14 de abril en el Palacio de Ferias y Congresos con la convocatoria de la I Asamblea Anual de Asociaciones Empresariales Internacionales de Marbella y en la que se abordaran cuestiones de calado como el nuevo Plan General de Ordenación Urbana (PGOU), el proyecto del Consorcio de Turismo y la presentación de los propios colectivos participantes.

El grupo de asesores también trabaja en otras acciones y actividades para alcanzar sus objetivos. Entre ellos, destacan la propuesta para celebrar una feria profesional de empresarios españoles y extranjeros a través del CIT o el “Buddy Program” que buscará empresas con un perfil complementario para que desarrollen proyectos de negocios conjuntos.

Asimismo, se desarrollarán iniciativas de networking, de socialización como torneos de golf “que permitirá que el Ayuntamiento ponga el escenario para que el tejido empresarial tenga un contacto permanente y directo”.

También está previsto que se lleven a cabo clases de idiomas especializadas, que son muy demandadas por los empresarios foráneos, y un servicio de asesoramiento sobre subvenciones y ayudas públicas aplicables a los negocios que desarrollan este colectivo empresarial.

Por último, el concejal de Turismo ha estado acompañado en la presentación de hoy por Laura Stanbridge, representante de la Cámara de Comercio Británica y del American Club; José V. Rehnelt, de la Cámara de Comercio Alemana; y los empresarios Simon y Marina Robertson, Michael R. Foltinger y Louis Cook.