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IGTM relaunches ahead of 22nd edition

One of golf travel’s major B2B events, International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) returns with a refreshed brand image, together with 500-plus golf tourism suppliers meeting 400+ pre-qualified buyers in Marrakech this October

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International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the leading business to business event for the golf travel community, has relaunched in its 22nd year with a refreshed brand image and website, together with a new organising team from Reed Travel Exhibitions – the world’s leading travel and tourism event organiser.

Taking place in Marrakech, Morocco from October 14 to 17 this year’s event will be designed to further enhance the business opportunities for this leisure sector where the spend per head is 120 per cent more in a destination than the average tourist according to the latest Sports Marketing Survey report.

Reflecting the trends in golf vacations, IGTM will be widening the buyer attendance to reflect the rise of the millennial golfer, the increase in female golfers, and emergence of golf for families.

“From the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic and the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco currently has over 40 golf courses to challenge even the most experienced golfers”
– Adel El Fakir
“With 60 million golfers worldwide – 8 million of them in Europe, and 70 per cent of all golf travellers looking for somewhere new to go each time they organise a golf break, IGTM is growing year on year to accommodate not only new suppliers, new destinations and DMC’s, but also similarly growing the number of buyers so that they reflect the trends in buyer preferences. Tour operators report a year on year increase of 5 per cent (IAGTO Report), which supports the positioning of growth reflected at IGTM as the leading travel industry event,” said David Todd, event manager, IGTM. 

Over 500 golf tourism suppliers will join 400+ pre-qualified buyers and international media for four days of pre-scheduled appointments, networking and education sessions.

Adel El Fakir, CEO Moroccan National Tourist Office, welcomes IGTM to Marrakech: “Golf here is more than just a sport or activity – it’s a genuine experience. From the Mediterranean coast to the Atlantic and the backdrop of the Atlas Mountains, Morocco currently has over 40 golf courses to challenge even the most experienced golfers. We are delighted to be a partner to IGTM this year and welcome all participants in what we call overwhelming Marrakech and beyond.”

Some of the changes taking place this year include educational content sessions to help participants understand and grow their golf business as well as the trends and Insights research presented during IGTM. On the media side, there will be networking opportunities with international journalists representing not only leisure travel publications and golf titles, but influencers and online media attending to research what’s relevant and new in the industry.

“With the shifts taking place in international golf travel trends, that show there is a need for golfers to “feel part of an international community” a desire to prioritise experiences and for boomers and Gen Xers the need to have authentic local culture”, IGTM will be the place where what is current and what is the future will be on the show floor, in the content of education, business opportunities and as an experience. We are also going to grow the media attending so that the international travel editors can attend to see what’s new and relevant to their readers for golf holidays,” added Todd.

 


 

Hiring equipment ups Moroccan resort golf revenue

Robinson Club Agadir reports that it has increased its golf-driven business substantially in the last few months after partnering with Clubs to Hire, a Dublin-based company, which leased 20 sets of TaylorMade M4 clubs to the four-star Moroccan resort, as part of a partnership programme.

Robinson Club Agadir's head of golf, Mirco Timm, explained: "Bookings from the Clubs to Hire website have exceeded expectations and we are seeing a lot of activity. Our golf business is up 20 per cent year on year already.

"Previously golfers tended to bring their own clubs which was often – quite literally – a drag. But now we can offer top-quality sets from the hotel, we've been inundated with requests."

Tony Judge, the co-founder of Clubs to Hire, added: "Like anybody signing up to our new partnership scheme, Robinson Club Agadir benefits from regular exposure to our 55,000 database, and our social media followers. While the resort has been very busy with local bookings, our web bookings into Agadir have also being very strong, giving Robinson Club additional income on the sets."

Clubs to Hire, which has grown year on year since its launch in 2010, is recruiting partner businesses – or entrepreneurial individuals – to act as agents in a number of popular golfing locations, as Judge explained.

"The scheme is gathering momentum; it's already in use at several European destinations and discussions are also underway with a number of high-profile locations, some even further afield," he said.

Clubs to Hire handles more than 300,000 annual visits to its website and more than 80,000 bookings for rental clubs at 29 locations worldwide, including popular golfing regions in the USA, Thailand, Australia, South Africa and five countries across the Mediterranean, offering the latest clubs on the market, from leading brands such as TaylorMade, Callaway and Mizuno – for men and women, left- or right-handed – from just €35 per week, a potential saving of up to €193, with none of the hassle.

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