Home » SPORTS TOURISM » Golf Travel Trends for the IGTM 2025, Wellness, Sustainability, and AI Innovation Now Set to Transform Golf Tourism in France at the Cannes
Published on
August 26, 2025
As the world gears up for the 2025 Golf Travel Trends, the golf tourism industry is on the brink of a major transformation. This year, wellness, sustainability, and AI innovation are taking center stage, shaping how travellers experience golf like never before. With the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Cannes, France fast approaching, these trends are set to redefine the future of the sport’s tourism sector. Wellness is now an essential part of the golf experience, offering holistic retreats that go beyond the game. At the same time, sustainability is driving eco-conscious golfers to seek out destinations with green certifications. On the tech side, AI innovation is revolutionizing travel planning, personalizing every aspect of the golfer’s journey. These changes promise to enhance not only how golf is played but also how it’s experienced. Cannes 2025 will highlight these exciting shifts, offering a glimpse into the future of golf tourism.
Wellness Takes Center Stage: A Holistic Golf Experience
Golf travel is no longer just about the sport; it’s about offering a complete lifestyle experience. Today’s golf travellers are increasingly seeking destinations that offer more than just world-class courses; they want wellness activities that enhance both their physical and mental well-being. This trend is particularly strong in locations like Camiral Golf & Wellness in Spain, which blends championship golf with a comprehensive wellness programme that includes fitness regimes, spa treatments, and healthy dining options.
Wellness offerings are also being expanded to cater to multigenerational families. With a growing interest in family-friendly travel, many golf resorts are now including activities for all age groups, ensuring that everyone—from young children to grandparents—can enjoy the getaway. Resorts are increasingly adding wellness centres, pilates studios, yoga retreats, and outdoor activities that complement the golf experience.
AI and Technology: Revolutionizing Golf Travel and Play
Artificial intelligence (AI) is making its mark on golf travel, creating a more personalized and immersive experience for golfers. AI-driven tools now help travellers plan their trips based on factors such as skill level, budget, and preferences, ensuring a tailored experience. Whether you’re booking a resort, selecting golf courses, or planning leisure activities, technology is simplifying the process and offering more customized options.
At the 2025 IGTM event, golf industry leaders will showcase innovations that are changing the game. One key feature is Toptracer technology, which offers real-time shot tracking, providing data insights to improve both play and practice. Virtual reality tools and AI-assisted booking platforms are also becoming common, helping golfers analyze their performance and plan their trips with ease. This technological evolution makes golf more accessible to players of all levels, enhancing the overall experience.
Sustainability: A Key Factor in Golf Destination Choices
Sustainability has moved from a trend to a key decision-making factor for golf travellers. As the world faces environmental challenges, golfers are increasingly seeking out destinations and courses that align with their eco-conscious values. According to research from InterMarket, 40% of golfers now prioritize eco-certified courses, and this demand is driving golf resorts to adopt sustainable practices.
Initiatives like the Green Drive are raising the bar for environmental responsibility, with golf courses implementing water-saving measures, such as drought-resistant grass and cutting-edge irrigation systems. Renewable energy and biodiversity initiatives are also on the rise. In addition, eco-certifications like the GEO Foundation’s Certified Courses provide travellers with peace of mind, knowing their chosen destination is committed to environmental stewardship.
Immersive and Luxury Golf Travel: Beyond the Course
Golf travel is increasingly about the complete experience, combining luxury stays, cultural immersion, and outdoor activities. The demand for luxury, stay-and-play destinations continues to rise, with resorts offering not just top-tier golf courses but also exclusive cultural activities that let travellers connect with the local culture. In regions like Oman and Central & Eastern Europe, golfers can enjoy not only challenging courses but also high-end resorts, cultural tours, and authentic local experiences such as vineyard visits or heritage site excursions.
This trend toward immersive travel reflects a broader shift toward longer stays and slower travel. Golfers are now more inclined to explore new destinations and experience what they have to offer beyond the greens. Golf travel is no longer just about playing a round of golf; it’s about fully experiencing a destination, including its culture, history, and natural beauty.
Social and Experiential Golf Travel: A Focus on Shared Experiences
The future of golf tourism is increasingly about shared experiences. Whether it’s a multigenerational family holiday or a group of friends seeking a fun and relaxing getaway, today’s golf travellers are looking for experiences that combine sport with social interaction, entertainment, and wellness. Companies like Golfbreaks have responded to this demand by creating bespoke packages that cater to both golfers and non-golfers. These offerings often include wellness programmes, spa experiences, and family-oriented activities that encourage juniors to participate in the sport.
Inclusivity is also playing a major role in this shift. Initiatives like Women in Golf and programs targeting younger audiences through influencers and social media collaborations are helping to make golf more accessible and diverse. Golf travel is becoming more about community and connection than ever before.
Key Takeaways for 2025 Golf Travel
The landscape of golf tourism is shifting, with trends like wellness, technology, sustainability, and luxury offering golfers more than just the sport itself. Industry experts, including Fiona Ashton, the Event Manager at IGTM, recognize that these trends are no longer secondary—they are now primary factors shaping how golf travel is marketed and experienced. As these trends continue to evolve, IGTM 2025 will serve as a key platform for collaboration and innovation, setting the stage for the future of golf tourism.
Whether you’re a passionate golfer or simply looking for a unique vacation, these evolving trends will guide your travel decisions in 2025 and beyond. The industry is rapidly adapting to the needs of modern travellers, ensuring that the future of golf tourism will be more personalized, sustainable, and immersive than ever.
Source: Golf Business News
