Around 400 delegates from 40 countries are expected to converge on the Algarve next month for the second International Golf Travel Market.
The show, organised by Reed Exhibitions and staged in Vilamoura from December 1-4, has been expanded to include a seminar programme, more appointment slots for buyers and suppliers and a bigger pre-show golf tournament.
It is being sponsored by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators which was formed last year to develop the golf holiday industry worldwide.
IAGTO chief executive Peter Walton said: “It was logical to hold the first IGTM in Fort Lauderdale last year, as Florida is the world’s number one golf destination.
“However, it was important to stage the second show on this side of the Atlantic. The Algarve is one of the most popular and longest-established golf regions in Europe.”
Representatives from the US and Europe each made up 40% of last year’s delegates. This year European numbers are up and Portugal alone has 49 suppliers exhibiting. They include hotels, resorts, golf courses and local tourist boards.
Most of Britain’s leading golf operators will be represented and new to the show are exhibitors from Bahrain, the Bahamas, Brazil, Greece and Qatar. Strengthening the US presence will be Hawaii and Vermont.
First-time hotel exhibitors include Ritz Carlton and Starwood. “More large hotel chains are setting up golf departments to cater for this lucrative market,” said Walton.
The seminar programme will inform buyers of developments in France, South Carolina, Thailand and South Africa while seminars targeted at suppliers will cover the media, corporate events and market analysis.
On the event’s opening day, 160 delegates will tee off in a fourball event spread across the Vilamoura Old Course and Vilasol for the IAGTO Trophy. Also being staged at IGTM are IAGTO’s annual convention at the Forum Dom Pedro and the Hertz International Golf Travel Awards gala dinner in Vilamoura Casino, both on Thursday, December 2.