Cveta Potočnik, 15. October 2018 – The 21st International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the biggest business event of International Association of Golf Tour Operators for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media, organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, has started in Ljubljana. A group of about 120 participants spent the days leading up to the event touring golf courses in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Italy and enjoying local cuisine.
The annual IGTM Golf Tournament at the 2018 edition of International Golf Travel Market will make history this year since it takes part in three different countries. Five golf courses are hosting the tournament, including three venues in Slovenia – Cubo Diners Golf Course, Otočec Golf Course and the country’s oldest layout, Royal Bled Golf Course – as well as Golf Course Velden in Austria and Golf Course Adriatic Kempinski in Croatia.
Host parterners in Slovenia are Slovenian Golf Tourism Association and Slovenian Tourist Board in cooperation with Tourism Ljubljana and with support of the Slovenian Ministry for Economic development and Technology.
“We have built our tourism strategy on a strong, sustainable campaign that draws on our rich history, diverse cultures, outstanding natural beauty and resources, thanks to Slovenia’s location between the Alps, the Mediterranean and Karst, the Pannonian Plain, as well as our vibrant capital city of Ljubljana,” says Maja Pak, Director of Slovenian Tourist Board. “With our passion and commitment focused on developing a tourism strategy built on 5-star experiences for the active leisure visitor, we strongly believe hosting IGTM is a big step to fulfil our mission.”
“Although our golfing heritage dates back 81 years to when Slovenia’s first course, Royal Bled, was opened, the country remains a hidden gem. However, our hope is that by hosting IGTM it will provide us with the opportunity to further promote our unique destination to the leading suppliers and buyers within the golf tourism industry and help put the country firmly on the world golfing map,” commented Žiga Osterc, President of the Golf Tourism Association in Slovenia. “Being named the Undiscovered Golf Destination by IAGTO in 2015 was one of the first milestones, and it proved our efforts to develop our golf tourism segment were being recognised by the international golf travel market.”
Boasting seven 18-hole courses and eight 9-hole layouts, Slovenia’s varied golf offerings are being showcased during the 21st edition of IGTM, where more than 650 exhibiting delegates from national and regional golf tourism organisations and leading resorts and golf courses are attending and exhibiting.
In 2017, the country attracted more than 15,000 international golfers, who played an estimated 21,000 rounds, contributing in excess of €3.9million to the overall Slovenian economy, an increase of 20% since 2015.