There was a 9.3% growth in global golf tour operator sales in 2012 over 2011, according to data released to delegates at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), held in Costa Daurada, northeastern Spain.
In his keynote address, Peter Walton, chief executive of IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), said golf resorts, courses and hotels, "should continue to focus on their individual strengths, but also, and more importantly, on working together with public sector bodies, to promote their golf destination and position it in the best possible way to attract more golf travellers and golf tour operator business".
He added: "Golf tour operators, on the other hand, operate in a fiercely-competitive market, so they need to focus their energies on differentiation, unique communication channels and cost-effective promotions, while keeping costs low and their knowledge base high."
Peter Grimster, IGTM exhibition manager, said the support of world-class destinations from across the golfing globe "continues to ensure IGTM remains an important golf tourism event …bringing the global golf travel trade together in one place, creating a unique opportunity to generate new business and develop existing relationships".
