Taking place at the Cancun Convention Centre, the event teed off with the best ever attendance: more than 400 exhibitors from 55 countries, and over 200 buyers from across the world.
Buyers include delegates from Champion Golf Holidays (Australia), China Golfing Holidays, Goldspark Hong Kong, NTC Golf Travel (Egypt), Golf Holidays Abroad (UK) Golfurlaub.Com (Germany), France Golf Tours, GolfinMallorca (Spain), Eagle Tours Golf & Snow Sports (Canada), Golf Ahoy Arizona and Golf Corporate Brazil among others.
“IGTM is the single best venue to meet international golf travel trade and media. Canada has had increasing recognition as an international golf destination due in large part to our consistent presence at IGTM” said Jim Lee, executive director, Canadian Golf Tourism Alliance.
Over 4,000 prescheduled appointments are set to take place during the show. The format has long proven to be the most effective way to conduct business at such focussed events as it matches delegates business interests and preferences with exhibitors and their products.
PortAventura Golf (Spain) is utilizing IGTM 2007 to promote the 2008 opening of the PortAventura Golf Complex which includes 2 golf 18-hole courses one 9-hole course. The courses are designed by Greg Norman and by Alfonso Vidaor.
Greenfernz Ltd (New Zealand) will be focusing on its plan to promote New Zealand as a golf destination with the opening of Jack Nicklaus’s Kinloch Club later in the month. Greenfernz will also be presenting their first luxury property which borders the Jack Nicklaus designed Kinloch Club.
Canadian Golf Tourism Alliance will be announcing a partnership with Merit Golf Vacations, who are developing a tariff guide for use with tour operators.
Najeti Hotels (France) will be promoting a new hotel on the site of the Aa Saint Omer golf course opening in September 2008, an indoor swimming pool for Hotel Chateau Tilques.
PGA National Resort and Spa (USA) known as one of south Florida’s most legendary golf destinations is unveiling their facelift which includes the upgrade of their Palmer and Nicklaus designed Golf Course to the championship category.
Al Hamra Golf Club & Resorts (UAE) announce the opening of their fully completed 18-hole golf course. Rates and special partnerships for tour operators and partners are available during the show. They will also unveil the new club house and the academy facilities.
Mexico will use the platform of its sponsorship to help promote their world-class golf courses, hotels and facilities for leisure, sport, shopping and dining.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club has teamed up with Emirates Palace Hotel and will be presenting their unique golf package called ‘Royal Experience’.
Emilia Romagna Golf (Italy) will officially present its 2008 catalogue with a review of 20 golf courses and 39 golf hotels all based in the region of Emilia Romagna in the centre of Italy. The catalogue will be available in four different languages English, German, Italian and for the first time French.
The Golf Suites, Boutique Hotel (Dominic Republic) will be introducing packages for the silver market.
Old Head Golf Links (Ireland) will be presenting the New Old Head Experience which includes 15 new luxury suites and 17 redesigned holes.
This year’s IGTM is sponsored by Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Mexico Tourist Board. www.igtm.co.uk