Veneto in Italy has been declared ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year’ in the IAGTO Awards 2013 presented by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators at Vilamoura, Algarve, Portugal, on the last day of the International Golf Travel Market.
Other awards for Golf Destination of the Year went to Gran Canaria (Europe), Dubai (Africa, the Indian Ocean & the Gulf States), Vietnam (Asia & Australasia), Monterey County, California (North America), and Dominican Republic (Latin America & the Caribbean).
IAGTO is the global trade organisation for the golf tourism industry, comprising more than 2,000 companies in 88 countries, including 480 specialist golf tour operators in 58 countries. IAGTO operators control more than 85% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide and their combined annual turnover exceeds €1 billion.
IAGTO’s Chief Executive, Peter Walton, said: “The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 50 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel. There is certainly no shortage of candidates worthy of recognition. Many individuals, companies, organisations and destinations have excelled in delivering a great golfing experience to the golf traveller – the ultimate goal for all involved in golf tourism.
“The Awards serve also to encourage private and public sector organisations to work closely together in the development and promotion of new and existing golf destinations, making them accessible to and enjoyable by the widest range of golfers. Each year we recognise the performance of three of the world’s leading golf resorts, the flagships of our industry, together with one outstanding golf destination in each of five regions. There is also an award for the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year, voted for by members of the International Association of Golf Travel Writers, with over 180 member journalists from 35 countries.”
