October 09, 2018
The 2018 edition of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM 2018) will be held in Ljubljana next week, from October 15 to 18. This is the largest convention for the golf tourism, and will see over 1,300 representatives from the industry meeting to show off their new products and services, generating over €9.5 million in business, with the focus of the event being on networking and 1-on-1 meetings between buyers and sellers.
Slovenia itself has 13 golf courses set in a range of stunning environments, a testament to the country’s varied geography within such a small area, with players able to tee off among rolling hills and vineyards, in the karst landscape, and in view of the Alps, with all the courses less than two hours from the capital. The oldest golf course, at 81 years, is also sited near one of the main tourist destinations, Lake Bled, with both 18- and 9-hole courses (details).
Last year over 15,000 foreign visitors played golf in Slovenia, up 20% on 2015, and contributing almost €4 million to the economy. Still, golf only accounts for 0.3% of the country’s tourism market, by value, and thus there’s much room for growth in the years ahead.
In addition to raising Slovenia’s profile as a golfing destination, the event will also benefit the country in more general terms. This is because people who travel to play golf rarely do so based on the courses alone, but look at the broader range of activities and entertainments on offer, which is where Slovenia – with its great variety of natural scenery and ways to enjoy it, growing reputation for good food and drink, and small size enabling rapid movement between locations – is able to compete on the world stage.
IGTM 2018 will be held at the Ljubljana Exhibition and Convention Centre (Gospodarsko razstavišče), at Dunajska cesta 18, 1000 Ljubljana. The official website for the event can be found here, although note that it’s exclusive to hosted buyers and exhibitors, and not open to the public.
