Murcia has been named Spain’s best-value destination for group golf trips, according to newly released booking data from tour operator Glencor Golf Holidays, strengthening the region’s reputation as an increasingly attractive option for corporate incentive travel, client entertainment and team away days.
The analysis, based on two years of booking data across every Spanish region where Glencor recorded more than 10 bookings, found that the south-eastern Costa Cálida region outperformed more established golf destinations such as the Costa del Sol and Costa Blanca on a combination of group size, hotel room bookings and value for money.
According to the study, Murcia recorded the highest average group size at 8.1 golfers per booking and the highest average number of rooms booked per trip at 4.1. Both figures exceeded those of every other Spanish region included in the analysis, highlighting Murcia’s growing appeal among organisers planning larger golf-focused group experiences.
While Andalusia’s Costa del Sol has long dominated the European golf market — regularly recognised by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators as Europe’s leading golf destination — Murcia is increasingly gaining attention for its accessibility, convenience and more relaxed atmosphere.
The Region of Murcia tourist board states that the area offers more than 300 days of sunshine annually, alongside 19 golf courses located within a 50km radius. Industry observers say that compact layout and reduced congestion are becoming key selling points for group organisers.
Corrie Renton, co-director of Glencor Golf Holidays, said Murcia’s success with larger groups is driven as much by logistics as by the quality of its golf offering.
“Murcia is one of those destinations that group golfers return to again and again because everything feels easy,” she said. “The courses are close together, transfers are straightforward, and the whole atmosphere is much more relaxed than some of the busier Spanish resorts. When you’re organising a trip for eight or more people, that convenience makes a huge difference.”
She added: “Groups want great golf without the stress, and golf holidays in Murcia deliver exactly that. We can take care of the hotels, tee times and transfers, leaving golfers free to simply enjoy the trip.”
Murcia’s strongest performance in the study came on cost efficiency. The average booking price was £139 per person, per night, making it the second-cheapest region in the Glencor analysis.
Despite the lower average nightly cost, hotel quality remained high. When Glencor compared average hotel star ratings against average spend, Murcia delivered the best “price-per-star” ratio of any Spanish region included in the report.
The findings are expected to resonate with corporate travel planners and finance teams facing continued pressure to justify off-site spending and hospitality budgets in 2026.
The value proposition has also helped Murcia attract first-time golf visitors who may previously have focused on more established destinations further west. La Manga, one of the region’s best-known golf resorts, continues to serve as a key draw for travelling groups and has hosted golf visitors since the 1970s.
The Glencor data also identified clear seasonal booking trends.
October accounted for nearly 30% of all Murcia golf bookings, making it the busiest month by a considerable margin. May and September each represented 15% of bookings, followed by April at 13% and March at 10.9%. Smaller booking volumes were also recorded during June, August and November.
The pattern reflects broader demand for shoulder-season golf travel across Europe, when temperatures are more moderate, course conditions improve and flight availability from UK airports becomes more manageable.
Travel planners say this seasonal profile also strengthens Murcia’s position as a destination suited to conference extensions, incentive add-ons and corporate retreats linked to wider European business travel itineraries.
Located between Alicante–Elche and Almería, Murcia benefits from access to both Corvera Airport and Alicante Airport, placing the destination within approximately two-and-a-half hours of most major UK airports.
Combined with comparatively uncrowded tee times, multiple four- and five-star resort options and pricing that continues to undercut the Costa del Sol, Murcia is increasingly being viewed as a strong-value option for corporate golf travel.
As Renton summarised: “It is the combination — easy logistics, quality courses, real value — that keeps groups coming back.”
For UK businesses planning incentive and group travel programmes for 2026 and 2027, Glencor’s findings suggest Murcia is becoming a destination that deserves significantly greater consideration.
Source material: fileciteturn0file0
