Fresh from celebrating its 50th anniversary, Palmares Ocean Living & Golf has continued planning for a golden future by becoming a member of the prestigious European Tour Destinations (ETD) network. The iconic Algarve resort has enhanced its reputation as a market leader in Portuguese golf tourism by becoming the latest venue to join ETD, a global network of world-class golf destinations spanning 18 countries across three continents. Palmares now sits alongside some of the most celebrated resorts in the industry, including Costa Navarino in Greece, Quinta do Lago in Portugal and Terre Blanche in France. The new partnership further reinforces Palmares’ growing international standing and places the Algarve resort among a select group of destinations recognized for delivering outstanding golf, residential and lifestyle experiences. Palmares has established itself as an icon of tourism and golf in Portugal over the last five decades, keeping pace with the industry’s transformations and reinventing itself with vision and sophistication. What began as an 18-hole course in 1975 has evolved into an integrated luxury resort with 200 hectares of panoramic views of Meia Praia and the Alvor estuary. With facilities including a 27-hole golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., an award-winning clubhouse, a five-star boutique hotel and 37 Signature Apartments, this Algarve resort is regarded among Portugal and Europe’s best golf destinations. Complementing its hospitality and leisure offering, the resort also presents a distinctive residential component, with premium plots and Signature Apartments, further elevating its appeal to those seeking investment opportunities or the prospect of living in a setting defined by over 300 days of sunshine per year. Further good times lie ahead with the sales launch of a new portfolio of the new Signature Residences III by RCR Arquitectes for this quarter, sea view detached villas and the opening of the first JW Marriott hotel in Portugal in 2028 with its branded residences. The new association with European Tour Destinations further demonstrates Palmares’ ongoing dedication to deliver excellence across every aspect of its customer journey. “Joining European Tour Destinations is another significant milestone for Palmares,” said Nuno Sepúlveda, co-CEO of Details, Portugal’s largest golf course operator that manages the resort’s golf course, accommodation and dining options. “This collaboration not only recognizes the quality of golf that the resort offers but also its broader lifestyle vision, and we are honoured to be part of a network that represents the very best in global golf.” European Tour Destinations brings together some of the most prestigious golf and lifestyle resorts in Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and the Indian Ocean. Many of its member venues are home to courses that consistently feature prominently in international rankings, reflecting the network’s commitment to excellence, quality and innovation within the game. Ian Knox, head of European Tour Destinations, said: “We are delighted to welcome Palmares to our global network. With its spectacular setting, outstanding course design and commitment to delivering world-class experiences, the resort is a natural fit for the European Tour Destinations network. Palmares has some incredible

The tournament continues to strengthen its position as one of the most important early-season events in Danish elite golf — and in 2026, it introduces significant new developments. Once again, Lübker provides the stage for top-level amateur competition, offering players the opportunity to compete on what is widely regarded as Denmark’s premier championship course. Golf Manager at Lübker Golf Club, Hans L. Knudsen, looks forward to hosting the event: “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Titleist and to provide Danish elite players with the opportunity to challenge themselves on Denmark’s finest golf course. The Lübker Championship has become an established tradition, and we look forward to welcoming the Danish Golf Union, the players, and our dedicated volunteers for three days of high-level competition.” The tournament will be contested over 54 holes, with a cut after 36 holes, and is recognized by the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR). As in previous years, many of Denmark’s top amateur players are expected to use the championship as an important early-season benchmark. Players will compete for exclusive Titleist equipment prizes. Now entering its sixth edition, the 2026 championship introduces several key updates. The event will be played over three consecutive days with 18 holes per day, and a cut following Saturday’s round. In addition, a women’s division will be introduced for the first time, enabling Denmark’s leading female players to compete on Lübker’s championship layout alongside the men’s field. Titleist continues as title sponsor for the second consecutive year. Area Sales Manager Simon Denwers comments: “It is a privilege to support the Lübker Championship and witness talented young players competing at such a high level. The tournament continues to evolve, and it is impressive to see its growth and increasing profile year after year.” Registration is available via Golfbox. For further information, please contact Lübker Golf Club at +45 38 40 80 50 or golf@lubker.com. Lübker Golf Club | Trent Jones Allé 3 | DK-8581 Nimtofte | Denmark | Tel. +45 3840 8000 | golf@lubker.com | www.lubker.com

We recently reported on the buoyant state of golf travel, but what’s happening in the wider tourism sector? We caught up with Daphne Yuanidis, Senior Consultant, Market Intelligence for HKS Advisory Services, at the 2026 European Tour Destinations Conference to understand how things are shaping up this year… Millennials and Gen Z are driving the travel boom… “Millennials, despite all the headlines, are actually coming into more and more wealth,” Daphne explained. “Alongside Gen Z, they are spending a larger share of their income on travel than any generation before them – it’s part of their identity. “Millennials are now firmly moving into their prime earning years, and while Gen Z may not yet be the wealthiest cohort, they are already outspending previous generations on travel. That will become even more significant in the years ahead as their earning power increases.” The demand for wellness continues apace… “Each year we talk about how wellness is evolving within the travel industry, and this year it feels very much centred on social wellness,” Daphne continued. “That’s being expressed through trips built around ritual, meaning and nature, and combining those elements to create deeply meaningful experiences. Increasingly, travellers are not only seeking destinations with history, but accommodations with stories of their own. “Adaptive reuse is a major part of that conversation – not just from a sustainability perspective, but from a storytelling one. “Guests are drawn to the idea of sleeping in what used to be an old abbey or a converted train station. I’ve even seen travellers staying in windmills on Greek islands. It becomes a story they can tell. “Golf is uniquely positioned to tap into that narrative. Many resorts and courses have rich, significant histories. There is real value in leaning into the story of the land, the clubhouse and the legacy behind it because people genuinely want to hear it.” Aviation advancements are bringing the world within reach… “A lot of the world is opening up further due to the increase in narrow-body long-haul flights,” said Daphne. “Airbus alone is producing hundreds of these new aircraft, enabling airlines to operate longer routes with fewer layovers and stops. That connectivity will open up more of the world to more travellers. “Africa is one of the major growth areas and is attracting increasing numbers of visitors – particularly as wellness becomes a more influential factor in travel decisions. “Many destinations across Africa are well placed to offer the nature, a sense of urgency and social environment for people to connect and experience a world they may not have experienced before. “Meanwhile, Athens is currently renovating its airport, with at least two airlines launching new routes between India and Athens. The strategy appears to be positioning the city to compete more directly with Istanbul as a major hub between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. So we’ll see how that develops, but it’s a significant development.” Ready to adapt your 2026 strategy?  If you’re looking to tap into golf’s growth markets or

We asked David Ashington, General Manager for Golf at Costa Navarino, for his reaction to the travel trends highlighted by Daphne Yuanidis, Senior Consultant, Market Intelligence for HSK Advisory Services in this feature, and whether they are in evidence at Europe’s No.1 golf resort. Here’s what David said… Millenials and Gen Z are driving the travel boom… “With regard to Millennials and Gen Z, we are seeing it, but probably not the same level of growth as we’ve seen in some other destinations. They are definitely coming. At Costa Navarino, we have a variety of hotels, so there really is something for everyone. “What we are seeing more of, however, is multi-generational travel coming in droves. Families are travelling together in greater numbers, opting for villa holidays, which are now super popular, as well as larger suite-style rooms where they can enjoy quality time together.” The demand for wellness is continuing apace… “Time is something we now classify as truly precious, and people are using that time together very well on the resort,” David continued. “I’ve seen this shift coming for a while in terms of client search behaviour, even in previous years. If we jump back to pre-COVID, the typical booking was very much an off-the-shelf package – seven nights and five rounds – and that was the standard. “Now, enquiries are much more focused on facilities and experiences. It could be spa and wellness, cycling, or even yacht hire. We’re seeing significant demand for add-ons to the existing package, and guests want reassurance that these elements are guaranteed in advance. They’re looking for services that are tailored to exactly what they want. “Wellness, in particular, is quite specific. People know what they’re seeking from a wellness experience, and that segment is growing massively.” Aviation advancements are bringing the world within reach… “Athens is a very good example of this broader trend. For guests arriving on long-haul flights, there’s a clear desire to incorporate the Athens experience. To see the sights, visit the Acropolis, and explore everything the city has to offer. “So travellers are looking for different variations within their trips, and I’m seeing that trend reflected across different regions as well, such as my former destination, Barcelona, which remains hugely popular as well.” Ready to adapt your 2026 strategy?  If you’re looking to tap into golf’s growth markets or the increasing demand for experience-led golf holidays, we can help. Get in touch: Ian Knox To find out more about becoming a member, contact Ian Knox