IGTM opens with bright outlook for the golf travel industry

(Slovenia – October 16, 2018): The 21st edition of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) kicked off in Ljubljana, Slovenia with messages of optimism for the golf travel industry and the event itself from Nick Pilbeam, Divisional Director at Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of IGTM, and Peter Walton, CEO of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators).

Nick Pilbeam‘s opening address touched on the current excitement and energy at Reed for IGTM - the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media - with new leadership in place from one of the company’s most successful portfolio directors, as well as a whole new event team.

He also demonstrated how IGTM has delivered on the feedback they gained in 2018 from interviews with past exhibitors and buyers, such as adding speed networking sessions, returning the evening programme, and improving both the buyer and exhibitor mix at the event significantly.

Nick commented: “The industry is strong, optimistic and growing, and IGTM remains energetically at the forefront of bringing stakeholders together to support that growth across the globe.

“We have 30% new buyers this year, with double the number of buyers from Asia, as well as brand new Luxury and MICE segments. We also have 50 new exhibitors, and new products from the Middle East and South East Asia.

He added: “Our focus for the future will be to continue successfully delivering new buyers to the event, as well as creating innovative new features that will drive value for the golf tourism industry.”

Peter Walton followed Nick by announcing record membership in IAGTO, which in 2018 for the first time exceeds 2700 companies, with a geographical network now spanning more than 100 countries.

In his remarks, he provided a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look at how IAGTO is using its global reach to gather the clearest and most up-to-the-minute intelligence that the golf tourism industry has seen in its history.

Walton said: “Using methods ranging from our self-completed Golf Tourism Audits to our ’60 Second’ Quarterly Surveys, over 900 of our member golf tour operators, golf resorts, golf courses and hotels participate to provide a handle on the direction golf travel is taking at any given moment.”

Based on the current state of the market, IAGTO does project that the high growth of golf tour operator sales seen over the past seven years (8-9% per year) will reduce to 5-6% over the three-year period 2018-2020.

This reduction, however, will be due to demand exceeding supply in some of the most popular golf destinations during peak months, rather than any market downturn, therefore industry optimism remains high.

During the speech, Walton also announced the launch of IAGTO Golf Tourism Certification for Golf Directors and General Managers of Golf. From 2019 this certification will provide accreditation for individuals who have demonstrated a keen understanding of the golf tourism industry and established profitable working relationships with tour operators.

The four-day IGTM event is being held at The GR Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ljubljana, from October 15 – 18, 2018, and sees more than 400 pre-qualified buyers and tour operators, as well as golf industry experts come together in Slovenia’s capital city.

IGTM 2018 in numbers:
• Meetings: 11,000+
• Countries represented: 65
• New exhibitors in 2018: 30%
• Media attending: 40+

For more information about IGTM, please visit: http://www.igtm.wtm.com