Welcome to IAGTO

IAGTO was set up in 1997 as a representative body for a number of the world's leading golf tour operators. Within ten years its membership had grown to more than one thousand companies across the globe. IAGTO’s dynamic growth is testament to the unrivalled importance of this €12 billion industry within the global arena of sports & special interest travel.

In summary, IAGTO’s role is to support the golf tourism industry achieve its goal of providing endless enjoyment to millions of golfers every year in all corners of the globe.

IAGTO’s membership has expanded beyond golf tour operators to incorporate golf resorts, golf courses, hotels, specialist ground handlers, car rental & transportation companies, airlines, tourist boards, golf publications, golf travel websites & television channels and a wide range of business partners who provide valuable services for the golf tourism industry.

In its first year, IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) which has become the industry's annual trade show, now owned and operated by Reed Exhibition Companies, the world leader in travel and golf exhibitions. IGTM attracts over 1200 delegates every year and is the most important business event for most of our members.

In 2000, IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA) to recognize and support quality journalists from around the world who enhance our industry by their high quality reporting of golf destinations in publications, websites and television media.

In order to reward the wonderful achievements of many undiscovered, emerging and established golf destinations along with individual golf resorts, IAGTO celebrates the end of each year with its own Golf Travel Awards Ceremony & Gala Dinner. The success of the golf travel industry will forever be dependent on the overall popularity of the game, and for this reason IAGTO also presents an Honorary Award each year. The twelve recipients to date have been Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr., Nick Faldo, Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam, Jose Maria Olazabal, Nick Price, Colin Montgomerie and Sam Torrance.

IAGTO Ltd is registered in England No. 3507678 under UK SIC Code 9112
"Membership Organisation/Professional Organisation" (VAT No. 710 1940 78)
Directors: C. Carugati, G. Greenwood, P. Walton.