IAGTO Awards ceremony brings curtain down on another successful IGTM

POSTED ON October 22, 2018 @ 7:27 am

In glittering style, the 19^th annual IAGTO Awards celebrated golf destinations across the globe and provided a fitting finale to another successful edition of International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), hosted this year in Slovenia.

The 21^st edition of IGTM – the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media – was made up of 30% new buyers, demonstrating a growing optimism in the sector.

The awards ceremony, which closed the event, was organised by IGTM partner, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), and saw some of the world’s best-performing destinations from five geographic regions celebrated as Golf Destination of the Year, including Scottsdale, USA; Costa del Sol, Spain; Hua Hin, Thailand; as well as the nations of Mauritius and the Dominican Republic.

Also recognised during the evening in the Golf Resort of the Year category were the iconic Scottish hotel and 2014 Ryder Cup venue, Gleneagles, claiming the European award; Fairmont Chateau Whistler in Canada winning the North America class; and Mission Hills Haikou, China, taking the prize for Rest of the World.

In the Sustainability Awards, staged in association with GEO (Golf Environment Organization), winners for 2018 were split into four award categories: Nature Protection went to Jack’s Point, New Zealand; Resource Efficiency was won by Gardagolf Country Club, Italy; Community Value went to Al Mouj Golf, Oman; and Outstanding Commitment to Sustainable Golf was awarded to Vidago Palace, Portugal.

This year’s IAGTO Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year Award was presented to Logroño – La Rioja, a province in northern Spain.

David Todd, Event Manager at IGTM, said: “IGTM is an important hub for the global golf travel industry and this year’s event in Slovenia underlined the current optimism in the sector, showcasing many established and emerging golf destinations, with the IAGTO Awards closing the week on an exciting and positive note.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Slovenia for hosting one of the most popular and successful IGTMs in recent years”

The full list of 2019 IAGTO Awards winners is:

Golf Destination of the Year