One of the golf travel success stories of the last 12 months, the idyllic island destination of Madeira will be one of the star attractions when the 2021 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) is held at the Celtic Manor Resort from October 18-21.
Representatives from the islands’ tourist board, golf courses and hotels will head to Wales on the back of Madeira enjoying one of its busiest periods ever for golf in the last three months.
Madeira’s nine-strong team is set for a busy time at this year’s IGTM with more than 100 appointments scheduled over the four days of the event – the largest of its kind for the golf travel industry.
The group will comprise of delegates from the Madeira Promotion Bureau, the islands’ three golf courses (Clube Golfe Santo da Serra, Palheiro Golf & Porto Santo Golfe) and a number of hotel partners (Melia Madeira Mare, Savoy Palace, Sentido Galosol and Sentido Galomar Resort and Vila Baleira Hotels & Resorts). They will exhibit under the Madeira Golf Passport trademark – the best way to experience the islands’ combination of golf, leisure and cultural experiences.
Nuno Vale, executive director of the Madeira Promotion Bureau and part of the group at IGTM, said: “IGTM is the most important event in the world for the golf travel industry and we’re all thrilled to be heading to Wales after last year’s event had to be held virtually.
”The golf market in Madeira has performed very well over the last 12 months but there is still plenty of work to do, and exhibiting at IGTM will give us the opportunity to introduce many more new people to everything that our islands have to offer.”
Named as the world and Europe’s leading island destination at the 2020 World Travel Awards, Madeira boasts three first-class golf courses – Palheiro Golf, Clube de Golfe Santo da Serra and Porto Santo Golf – as well as an array of outstanding historic, cultural and lifestyle experiences.
The islands have enjoyed a steady increase in overseas bookings in the last year with growing numbers of European golfers eager to experience the many benefits of playing first-class golf in a safe and secure environment and visiting from the UK and Europe has never been easier.
Madeira. Belongs to all – the consumer-facing brand of the Madeira Promotion Bureau – has taken every step to ensure the safety of every resident and visitor.
Since the start of the pandemic, the archipelago has been considered one of the safest destinations in Europe and has been widely praised for its handling of the Covid-19 crisis. Earlier this year, Madeira was named as one of the safest destinations for 2021 by European Best Destinations and has worked closely with SGS, the world’s leading certification company, to ensure safe practice across the destination and minimise risk in regard to Covid-19.
Under the umbrella brand “Madeira Safe to Discover”, Madeira. Belongs to all has published updated guidelines for all incoming visitors, including for people who have been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid-19.
The green corridor already exists at Madeira airport for those who arrive with a vaccination certificate or with proof of a negative PCR test done within 72 hours. Alternatively, visitors can take a free test at the airport on arrival and having entered Madeira, visitors are free to travel anywhere in the islands. People who did not test for free on arrival at the airport can still have a free test before travelling back to their country of origin if needed, while discounts are also available on any further tests that are requiredfor visitors returning to their country of origin, with PCR tests from €90 and antigen tests from €18.
In addition, from November 1, only an antigen test is required for travellers who have not been vaccinated or have recovered from Covid for more than 90 days.
The best way to enjoy the archipelago’s golf is with a Madeira Golf Passport which, providing holders with an unrivalled golf experience, is available to both individuals and groups and can be booked on a three or five-round basis. Offering a one-stop shop for visitors eager to play Madeira’s three world-class golf courses and discover why the Portuguese islands have been acclaimed as the world’s best emerging golf destination, the portal features the chance for golfers to review and book their golf and accommodation, with a selection of quality hotel, self-catering and all-inclusive options all available. Three-round packages cost €225 per person while five-round passports are priced at €360 per person.