More than 1,200 delegates from 60 countries and many first-time exhibitors, including the South Africa Golf Tourism Association, Cyprus Tourism Organisation and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) attended the event, which also saw the staging of the highly regarded IAGTO Awards 2011.
This year’s event, which attracted over 100 international and local media, also witnessed high-level support from senior government ministers representing Turkey, Kenya, South Africa, Bulgaria and Thailand, who were keen to help promote international golf travel.
Peter Grimster, Exhibition Manager of IGTM, said: “Our first visit toTurkeyhas been a resounding success. I must thank our hosts for giving us a glimpse of why theAntalyaregion is one of the fastest-growing golf destinations in the world. It has a very bright future and we look forward to seeing it develop over the coming years.
“Yet again IGTM, the world’s leading golf travel event, has been a platform for suppliers and buyers to discuss future plans and do business. We have also been encouraged to see that many tourist boards have committed additional funds to promote the growth of international golf travel.
“IGTM always acts as an accurate barometer of how the golf travel industry is performing and what the prospects are for the future. We look forward to taking IGTM to The Algarve,Portugalnext year and I am certain the industry is set for a strong 2012 as new golf destinations in Asia, South America andEastern Europego from strength to strength.”
IGTM was also the venue for the 12th annual IAGTO Awards.
The winners of each category are as follows:
Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year
Bulgaria
Golf Destination of the Year
- Africa, Indian Ocean & Gulf States –Abu Dhabi
- Asia & Australasia –Pattaya,Thailand
- Europe –KingdomofFife,Scotland
- Latin America & The Caribbean –Los Cabos,Mexico
- North America –Palm Springs,California
Golf Resort of the Year
- Europe – Fairmont St Andrews Resort,Scotland
- North America –Turnberry Isle,Florida
- Rest of World – Mission Hills,Hainan,China
IAGTO Honorary Award
Sam Torrance OBE
IAGTO Supplier of the Year
Portugal Algarve Golf Services
Next year’s IGTM will take place in The Algarve, Portugal, November 12-15, 2012.
IGTM www.igtm.co.uk
IAGTO www.iagto.com