Tag Archives: International Golf Travel Market

Golf Shows, Golf Turism, Travel

IGTM – Slovenia to host International Golf Travel Market 2018

December 7, 2017 – International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the world’s premier global event for the golf tourism industry, has announced that its 2018 edition will be hosted in Slovenia’s capital city, the 2016 European Green Capital, Ljubljana.

The IAGTO Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year 2015 will welcome IGTM 2018 to The GR Exhibition and Convention Centre, located in the heart of Ljubljana, from October 15 – 18, 2018.

The fast-growing golf destination, which received more than 4.3 million tourists in 2016, has 13 golf courses, including Royal Bled Golf Course –  the oldest in Slovenia. Alongside a wealth of high quality hotels, the country is gaining a burgeoning reputation for gastronomic excellence, led by Ana Roš, who was named the World’s Best Female Chef at the 2017 World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards.

Žiga Osterc, President of the Golf Tourism Association in Slovenia, said: “We are very proud to have been selected as the host destination of IGTM 2018 and we look forward to welcoming the leading golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media from across the globe to Slovenia.

“We have invested significantly in the game of golf over the last 20 years and continue to see a growing number of international visitors who are drawn to the high standards of service and accommodation, good value for money and wide range of international-standard courses. 

“By hosting IGTM, visitors will be able to see for themselves why Slovenia is not only one of Europe’s emerging golf holiday destinations, but an unforgettable tourist experience as well.”

Ljubljana International Airport, located just a 25-minutes’ drive from the convention centre, has more than 210 scheduled flights every week direct to 27 destinations in 21 countries across Europe. It is serviced by a variety of airlines, including Air France, EasyJet, Finnair and Turkish Airlines.

Peter Grimster, Exhibition Manager, Reed Travel Exhibitions, added: “As the 2015 IAGTO Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year winner, we are confident Slovenia will be a perfect destination to host the world’s largest gathering of golf tourism professionals.

“The quality of the golf courses and resorts is outstanding and, combined with the excellent conference facilities in one of Europe’s most picturesque capital cities, we are confident that IGTM 2018 will be a huge success.”

The appointment-based event, organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, regularly attracts more than 400 buyers and over 550 golf travel suppliers, highlighting its reputation as the premier global event for the golf tourism industry.

Golf Shows, Golf Turism, Travel

IGTM – Global golf tour operator sales grow for third consecutive year

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October 29, 2014 – The 2014 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the premier global event for golf tourism, opened yesterday in Lake Como, Lombardy, northern Italy, with news that global golf tour operator sales grew by 11.1% in 2013 and by 21.4% over the two-year period 2012-2013, with further growth already expected for 2014.

In his keynote opening address, Peter Walton, Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), announced the figures and shared an optimistic outlook for the golf tourism industry. However, he also warned that golf destinations needed to implement properly funded strategies to secure sustainable golf tourism growth in the future.

“The responsibility for instigating a golf tourism strategy lies firmly at the door of the relevant tourist board or ministry of tourism. However, at a time when public sector bodies are overstretched and often cash-poor, a golf tourism strategy should not be seen as either onerous or costly, but rather, crucial,” said Peter Walton.

In order to assist its member golf destinations and to illustrate how all the elements of such a roadmap fit together, IAGTO also announced the publication of its Integrated Golf Tourism Strategy Blueprint, created from its unparalleled experience of developing golf tourism strategies for more than 30 countries and regions across the globe.

Mauro Parolini, Councillor for Commerce, Tourism and Tertiary for Regione Lombardia, added: “The 17th edition of IGTM is the first ever time the event has been held in Italy, in the Como area. It brings together a record number of buyers, 515 exhibitors from 55 countries and over 100 registered media. Over the four days of IGTM, we are also expecting approximately 13,000 meetings to take place.”

“This confirms just how dynamic a market golf is, and emphasises its great potential. This also underlines why Regione Lombardia, with its high number of courses and rich tourist appeal, has decided to invest in this segment, and we hope other Italian regions will follow suit and look to host a future event.”

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Peter Grimster, IGTM Exhibition Manager, said: “IGTM continues to be the platform from which the global golf tourism industry builds relationships, creates new business opportunities and discusses the key issues and opportunities that affect growth.”

“There is much for the golf travel industry to be positive about for 2015 and the news from IAGTO that global tour operator sales continue to rise is hugely encouraging, and presents many opportunities for exhibitors here this week.”

“I would also encourage everyone in the golf travel industry to study IAGTO’s Integrated Golf Tourism Strategy Blueprint, and digest the 10 steps it suggests golf destinations take to trigger future growth.”

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In his address, the Italian Golf Federation Vice President, Antonio Bozzi, reemphasised the important role IGTM has played in helping bring golf in Italy to the fore. He explained how the Federation and eight of Italy’s main golfing regions, with the support of the Ministry of Tourism, have closely cooperated over the last ten years on the “Italy Golf & More” project, which aims to draw out the country’s huge, untapped potential for golf tourism.