Madeira Promotion Bureau targeted international marketing and events as golf rounds from overseas visitors rise by 10.2 per cent
Madeira is strengthening its position as one of Europe’s leading golf destinations as a proactive international promotional strategy delivers exceptional media returns, continued growth in overseas golf visitors and a strong showing in the 2026 World Golf Awards.
The destination and the Portuguese archipelago’s three golf courses – Palheiro Golf, Clube de Golf Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golfe – have been shortlisted for no fewer than 11 top accolades across the World Golf Awards’ global, European and Portuguese categories ahead of November’s awards, underlining the growing recognition of Madeira’s golf offering and its ambition to establish itself firmly on the international golf tourism map.
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The nominations include the World’s Best Emerging Golf Destination, Europe’s Best Golf Course, Europe’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, Portugal’s Best Golf Course, World’s Best Panoramic Golf Clubhouse and World’s Best Par-3 Hole.
The recognition comes as the islands’ international golf market continues to expand. The archipelago recorded a 10.2 per cent increase in international green fees in 2025 compared with 2024, demonstrating sustained growth in demand from overseas golfers.
The results provide further evidence that the Madeira Promotion Bureau (AP-Madeira) sustained investment in international golf promotion is translating into measurable demand for the destination.
As part of its wider events and destination-marketing strategy, AP-Madeira invested significantly in participating in international events during 2025 and 2026 to increase the destination's notoriety and global exposure among the golf industry.
In a statement, the Madeira Promotion Bureau said: “Madeira has a very clear vision to become recognised as a leading international golf destination, and these results demonstrate that our strategy is delivering. We are not simply promoting golf courses; we are promoting Madeira as a complete destination where exceptional golf is combined with outstanding scenery, hospitality, accessibility and a unique year-round climate.
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“The World Golf Awards nominations are another important part of this journey. For golfers choosing where to travel, awards and recognition provide reassurance that a destination and its courses are worth visiting. To have Madeira, our courses and our facilities represented across 11 nominations is a fantastic endorsement and gives us an excellent platform to continue building.”
Named as the ‘World’s Leading Island Destination’ for the 11th year in a row at the 2025 World Travel Awards, Madeira‘s impressive golf and lifestyle offering combined with a temperate climate make it the perfect year-round location for a golf break.
And the islands are set to enhance their reputation as one of Europe’s fastest growing golf destinations after recently confirming plans to open 36 new holes in the archipelago.
The destination is already set to welcome a fourth golf venue when an 18-hole championship course designed by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo opens at Ponta do Pargo in 2027. But in addition, plans were unveiled to create two new nine-hole courses at Santo da Serra and Porto Santo.
The best way for travelling golfers to experience the idyllic islands is with the Madeira Golf Passport, which includes three rounds of golf at either Clube de Golf Santo da Serra or Palheiro Golf from just €310 per person. The passport – which includes free transfers between course and hotel – can be upgraded to include additional rounds and a day at Porto Santo Golfe, and getting to the Portuguese archipelago couldn’t be easier with an array of direct flights making the destination easily accessible for golfers from key international markets. Indeed, Madeira enjoys excellent air connections with major European cities and a direct flight to the United States, ensuring convenient year-round access for visitors from across the globe.
For more information on Madeira, visit apmadeira.pt/en