The International Golf Travel Market comes to Wales in 2020 – a UK first
The International Golf Travel Market comes to Wales in 2020 – a UK first
Wales will play host to the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) from 19-22 October 2020 – the first time the global B2B event for the golf travel industry has been welcomed to the UK. An endorsement of the UK’s importance as a golfing destination, Wales will welcome more than one thousand international golf tourism suppliers, venues, destinations, buyers and media at the Celtic Manor Resort and the new International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales).
The three-day IGTM exhibition will take place in the 4,000 sqm main hall at ICC Wales with the welcome address in the 1,500-seater auditorium. The event will also be in partnership with the Vale Resort, Marriott St Pierre, Royal Porthcawl and the newly formed Golf Tourism Wales.
“It is a real honour for Wales to be the first UK host of the International Golf Travel Market, an important step forward in marketing our wonderful courses and clubs,” said Wales Golf chief executive Richard Dixon.
“Golf tourism in Wales has grown as a result of the Ryder Cup, while membership of golf clubs in Wales has also gone up in the last year which is an encouraging development.
“So more and more people are enjoying playing golf in Wales and hosting such a major international event can only boost that.
“Celtic Manor has played a crucial role as the host venue of the 2010 Ryder Cup. It is also where Wales Golf is based, so it is an appropriate venue for the event in their new Convention Centre.”
Fittingly, this year is the Year of Outdoors in Wales, reinforcing the country’s renowned strengths in outdoor sports and outdoor activity. It will also coincide with the 10-year anniversary of the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor – one of Wales’ most memorable golfing moments.
The announcement was made at this year’s IGTM in October held in Marrakech, Morocco, where Wales and partners met with buyers and media from key markets and showcased Wales as an outstanding golf destination – offering some of the best courses in the world which are open for play 12 months of the year. Find out more about IGTM 2020.
Launch of Golf Tourism Wales
Welsh clubs and resorts have joined together to form a new body responsible for maintaining and developing the golf tourism sector in Wales. A membership organisation, Golf Tourism Wales, currently made up of 23 golf clubs will co-ordinate activity and identify new ways to target consumer, media and travel trade to promote Wales as a major golf destination. Founder members of Golf Tourism Wales include Royal Porthcawl, Royal St David’s, Aberdovey, Pennard, Celtic Manor Resort and The Vale Resort.
“Many clubs in Wales have benefitted from years of government support, but this is the first time that steps have been taken by the clubs and resorts to safeguard the enormous progress made since the 2010 Ryder Cup in this highly competitive, but lucrative market,” said Andrew Cooke of Golf Tourism Wales.
Major women’s golf tournaments brought to Wales
Wales has now firmly established its credentials as a successful host of major golf tournaments, including the 2010 Ryder Cup, the 2014 and 2017 Senior Open and will now host 2 major women’s golf events in 2020 and 2021.
2020 will see Conwy Golf club host the Curtis Cup on 12-14th June 2020. The Curtis Cup is the best known team tournament for women amateur golfers and is contested by teams representing the United States and Great Britain and Ireland. Many women who have gone on to become stars of women’s professional golf have played in the Curtis Cup.
Conwy Golf Club has previously hosted The Open Championship final qualifying for Hoylake, European Tour and Ladies Tour Events. Find out more here.
In 2021 the highly prestigious Women’s Open Championship will be played at Royal Porthcawl – the first time the event will be staged in Wales. As one of only two women’s major championships played outside the US, the Women’s British Open is known to be the most international with over 25 different nations represented. Royal Porthcawl is renowned to be a challenging course and as hospitable a club as you will find and has held many amateur and professional tournaments on its famous links. As one of South Wales’ first 18 hole golf course, Royal Porthcawl was awarded the privilege of the prefix ‘Royal’ in 1909, only the second course in Wales and one of only 66 clubs around the world to have that distinction.
The Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, Lord Elis-Thomas, said: “We are delighted and look forward to the honour of welcoming the AIG Women’s British Open Golf to Wales in 2021. Wales has built its reputation as an outstanding destination for major international events and the AIG Women’s British Open event will help to maintain this momentum and highlights our commitment to bringing world class women’s sport to Wales.”
Find more inspiration on golf in Wales here – www.visitwales.com/golf.
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