Tourism Golf Scenarios: The Algarve Case

Abstract

Sport tourism, in particular golf, is an emerging form of tourism. This is the case in the Algarve region where golf has significant economic, social and environmental impacts. This paper presents a sustainability assessment framework developed for the Algarve's golf courses. Sustainable golf development (SGD) was analysed from an integrated perspective: economic, financial and environmental. A scenario methodology was used to measure the long-term golf development impacts at different supply levels, given the core indicators defined for each dimension of analysis. It was concluded that SGD in the Algarve should be framed within high service and environmental quality standards, with a supply of between 29 and 41 golf courses.