International Golf Travel Market

Organised by Reed Exhibitions, the three-day event, which was held in Celtic Manor’s impressive ICC Wales, marked the first time that the UK has hosted IGTM, and also the first face-to-face meeting of the golf travel industry for the past two years, with last year’s IGTM held virtually due to the pandemic.

Approximately 200 tour operators, travel agents and concierge companies were in attendance from 30 countries. They met with a similar number of the world’s top golf courses, resorts, hotels, tourist boards and DMCs showcasing destinations such as Wales, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Catalonia, France, and Italy, Portugal, Spain and Qatar.

Attendees took part in a number of networking events, including the official IGTM golf tournament on Monday, where guests battled through the inclement weather to play rounds at Celtic Manor’s Twenty Ten course, Royal Porthcawl, The Vale and St Pierre Marriott Hotel & Country Club where A Golfing Experience Destination played.

Eddie Mitchell, Sales Manager for Rovos Rail in South Africa, commented: “I have been delighted with the success my business has made through IGTM this year, The venue has been fantastic, and the buyer quality has also been excellent – IGTM is without a doubt the premium event for the golf travel industry.”

Marina Mylona, Tourism Officer for Visit Cyrpus added: “We received some good business leads from the virtual IGTM Links last year, but it’s great to have more time to do business face to face at last. The results of the show have been good for our Cyprus family of businesses. I am pleased to see smiling new faces and those we have seen behind a screen for such a long time.”

Celtic Manor Resort and ICC Wales Chief Executive Ian Edwards said: “It has been a sight for sore eyes to see the exhibition hall at ICC Wales busy with exhibitors and delegates once again. Not only is this the first time the UK has ever held this prestigious global event, IGTM is also one of the first international industry events of any kind to return to the UK since the lifting of restrictions. It has been fantastic to meet up face to face once again and welcome so many visitors from around the world to Wales and show them our amazing facilities, both inside the convention centre and outside on our wonderful golf courses.”