International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the world’s leading global B2B event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media, will again provide a platform to showcase emerging golf markets, as new exhibitors from Europe and the Middle East announce their attendance.
Among the first-time exhibitors for 2018 is Qatar, with Michael Braidwood, General Manager at Discover golf in Qatar, commenting: “There is a lot of intrigue and interest in Qatar at the moment so it’s important we keep the momentum going, and we see IGTM as a very important forum to meet with global tour operators and industry media.”
Alongside Qatar, another emerging Middle East golf destination, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, will this year host the Road to Ras Al Khaimah – the European Challenge Tour’s grand finale – and will be using IGTM to further develop its market position.
Mohamed Khater, Assistant Director of Tourism Development at Ras Al Khaimah, said: “With its combination of year-round sunshine, world-class golfing facilities and diverse hotel offerings, Ras Al Khaimah is fast becoming known as a major player in the Middle East golf tourism market. IGTM provides the perfect platform to help us increase awareness of the destination and introduce it to new potential international partners.”
Another first-time exhibitor at IGTM 2018 is Slovakia, with Martina Kovacova, Marketing Tourism Manager, commenting: “We are looking to further increase people’s understanding of Slovakia’s golf offering; as IGTM is considered to be the world’s leading golf tourism event we decided to exhibit for the first time in order to support our golf resorts and services, as well as develop new business partners and really put the country on the golf travel map.”
Other new destinations attending this year include Finland, Oman and New Zealand.
Alison Gilmore, Portfolio Director, Luxury and Lifestyle Events, Reed Exhibitions, added: “Welcoming new exhibitors to IGTM 2018 is a reflection of the current optimism being seen across the global golf travel market.
“IGTM prides itself on providing a platform for both traditional and emerging destinations and we look forward to again helping set the agenda for the golf travel market of tomorrow.”
More than 600 exhibiting delegates, including national and regional golf tourism organisations and leading resorts and golf courses are expected to exhibit at the four-day event, taking place at the The GR Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia’s capital city, from October 15 – 18, 2018.
For more information about IGTM and the venue for the 21st edition of the event, please visit www.igtm.wtm.com