CHARLESTON, SC., Oct. 30, 2014 - The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has named Charleston the Golf Destination of the Year North America at its annual IAGTO Awards Ceremony. The Awards Ceremony took place on Oct. 30 at the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) in Lake Como, Italy.
Home to 19 championship courses including Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course (host site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, 2007 Senior PGA and 2012 PGA Championships), 60 miles of breathtaking coastline, award-winning dining and historic downtown offerings, the Charleston area’s unique combination of both on and off course offerings make it a premier destination for a golf vacation.
“To be named North America’s Golf Destination of the Year by the IAGTO is a huge honor and strengthens our ability to showcase worldwide all that Charleston has to offer golfers year-round” said Ed Riggs, chairman of Charleston & Resort Islands Golf. “We are grateful to carry forward the global recognition the Charleston area received this year as host of IAGTO’s annual North America Golf Tourism Convention.”
The IAGTO Awards were established in 2000 to reward a few exceptional contributions to the world of golf travel. IAGTO’s 500+ golf tour operators from 62 different countries vote for Golf Destination of the Year winners in each of five regional categories: North America, Latin America and Caribbean; Europe, Africa and Gulf States; and Asia and Australia. Operators were asked to consider the following criteria when voting: customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodation, value for money, professional conduct of suppliers, support from the local tourism industry and accessibility to tee times.
More about IAGTO
IAGTO's membership comprises more than 2,200 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 96 countries including, at its core, over 550 specialist golf tour operators in 62 countries. It is estimated that IAGTO’s operators control over 85 percent of golf vacation and holiday packages sold worldwide and with economic turnover of over $2 billion per year. IAGTO is headquartered in London. For more information on the IAGTO Awards, please visit www.iagto.com/awards.
Charleston & Resort Islands Golf
More than 200 years ago, Charleston was the site of America’s first golf club. This heritage of golfing excellence is evident today. Guests have convenient access to more than 19 championship courses, created by legendary architects including Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones, Gary Player, Arthur Hills, Tom Fazio, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones, Sr. The area also offers plenty of year-round activity off the course. They range from historic tours and attractions to inshore and offshore fishing and award-winning dining, as well as a year-round calendar of festivals and events. For reservations or more information on these packages and others available in the area, please visit www.charlestongolfguide.com or call 800-774-4444.
The mission of the Charleston Area Convention & Visitors Bureau is to unify and lead the local travel industry in marketing the Charleston area as an individual, meeting, incentive and group destination to both the domestic and international markets. For more information, visit explorecharleston.com
