Lake Como, Italy: Ahead of the 17th annual International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) past host destinations have shown their support towards what has become the premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media.
Organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, IGTM has proven to be the meeting place for the global business-to-business golf travel community, enabling host destinations to realise numerous economic benefits locally.
Francisco Artacho, General Manager of Andalucia Tourism Board, said: “We have hosted the annual IGTM event three times – twice in the city of Marbella and once in Malaga – with each occasion providing a perfect opportunity to showcase the diversity and variety Andalucia has to offer.
“By bringing such an important event to the region, it has helped further establish Andalucia’s reputation as one of the top European golf destinations.”
Last year’s hosts, the Costa Daurada Tourism Board, along with Lumine Golf and Beach Club, saw approximately 600 golf tourism suppliers, 350 pre-qualified buyers and 100 international press visit the region and discover its golfing attractions.
Octavi Bono, General Manager of Costa Daurada Tourism Board, said: “Hosting the 2013 IGTM played a vital role in our tourism strategy and renewed our focus on golf travel. Welcoming the trade to Costa Daurada and showcasing our proposition for international golfers has already led to notable increases in golf travel in recent months. IGTM has given us the perfect platform from which to expand upon our newly established business relations.”
Calle Carlsson, General Manager at Lumine Golf & Beach Club, added: “As we expected, IGTM was a resounding success and the resulting feedback has been very positive for Lumine. Our value proposition has been striking the right cord in many major markets in Europe and we are beginning to see guests come from further afield.”
Peter Grimster, IGTM Exhibition Manager, explained: “We are always open to new destinations hosting IGTM and this year’s show is a great example of that. For the first time, IGTM will be held in Italy, and we are very excited to visit and experience this up-and-coming golf destination.
“Future host destinations are selected two years in advance, allowing the regions, golfing establishments, hotels and various government bodies to prepare for the thousands of visitors set to visit their destination.
“The criteria we look for in future hosts centres around accessibility, the destination and its golfing appeal, as well as the proposed conference venue itself, which needs to be big enough to cater for the increasing number of visitors and attendees we are seeing year-on-year.
“I would urge any Tourism Board and golf destination wanting to understand and learn more about what’s involved in becoming a future IGTM host to get in touch.”
Among the main stakeholders involved in IGTM 2014 are host venue Villa Erba, Regione Lombardia and the Provinces of Como and Lecco, which, along with the Como Chamber of Commerce, are represented together as the Lake Como brand, the Italian Golf Federation with the Lombardy Regional Committee.
Among the Institutional Sponsors are Associazione Albergatori di Como, Como Imprenditori Alberghieri (CIA), Golf Lake Como and Regio Insubrica. Other sponsors also supporting the project are Casinò Campione d’Italia and Acel Service.
Reed Exhibitions is an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.