Golfnotes
THE WORLD'S PREMIER GOLF TRAVEL EVENT
47 COUNTRIES AT IGTM 2006
in Marbella, Andalucia (Spain)
After Jacksonville (Fa), Sun City (SA), Biarritz (Fr), Punta
Cana (DR), Estoril-Sintra (Pt) and Gran Canaria, the last International
Golf Travel Market, the “must to go show” in golf
and travel organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, was hosted
by Andalacia (Spain) from 20-23 November 2006 within
the Marbella Convention Centre.
Andalucia : Andalucia constitutes one of the most important international meeting points for golf enthusiasts. Its wonderful climate, excellent hotels and leisure facilities, plus the calibre of its golf courses, make it one of the best golfing centres in the world.
The region, and above all the Marbella area, is a golfing paradise par excellence. Open all year round, the region’s 90 golf courses have been designed by world-class players like Robert Trent Jones, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, Severiano Ballesteros, José María Olazabal , to name but a few.
IGTM : In 1997, IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Market
(IGTM) which has become the industry's annual trade show,
now owned and operated by Reed Exhibition Companies, a world
leader in travel and golf exhibitions. IGTM attracts over
1000 delegates (worldwide golf tour operators, golf resorts,
hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist
boards) each December as it moves around the world in its
roving tour of emerging and established golf destinations.
It is an exclusive business opportunity not to be missed.
The world's premier golfing exhibition, International Golf Travel Market, has announced the largest number of buyers in its nine year history. Held at the Marbella Conference Centre in Andalucía , Spain and organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, buyers at IGTM increased by 36% to 333. Hailing from 39 countries across the globe, including a new presence from Hong Kong and Colombia .
Exhibitors' stand participation has also grown from 377 in 2005 to 392 from 47 countries in 2006. New destinations represented at this niche exhibition included, Cuba , St Vincent & the Grenadines , and Ras Al Khaimah.
Press participation at the exhibition also grew, with attendance increasing by 31% and a total of 15 journalists participating in the hosted media programme.
Highlights of this year's IGTM Exhibition included: Florida 's First Coast of Golf, launching a real-time online tee-time booking system facilitating online bookings for clients. Hamburg 's Clubhaus launched Heidegolfcard, an electronic card enabling cardholders to play on five of the best courses in the Hamburg area for 99 Euros. New participants at the event included Kootenay Rockies Tourism ( Canada ), Golfing Africa ( South Africa ) and Raffles Resort (St Vincent & the Grenadines ).
Exhibitor, David Reese of Florida 's First Coast of Golf, said: "We exhibit each year at IGTM to meet with prominent tour operators worldwide. We have had tremendous success primarily due to the qualified buyers that are delivered by Reed Travel Exhibitions."
Key buyer, Natascha Topf of Global Golf Tours, Germany, confirmed the exhibition's success: "IGTM is the most important fair for golf travel-related products and it is always very successful! It is a great pleasure to join and I am looking forward to next year."
Concluding on the feedback from the exhibition, Mark Walsh, Exhibition Director of International Golf Travel Market, commented: "The exhibition this year proved to be our best business event in our nine year history. The event exceeded our expectations and we feel very optimistic for next year's event in Cancun , 3-6 December 2007."
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Andaluccia arms
Marbella seaside
and golf
 IGTM suppliers
Imagery stand
Gala dinner
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