The reputation of Tenerife Golf is flying high after the sunshine island was unveiled as the host venue for the 2015 International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), and visitors can discover more about the popular golf destination at the influential 2014 World Travel Market.
Officials from Tenerife Golf - the Tenerife Tourism Corporation’s golfing arm - are relishing the chance to promote the island as the host destination for next year’s IGTM over the coming months at golf and travel industry events all across Europe, starting with the World Travel Market – which is being held at ExCeL London from November 3-6.
The largest of the Canary Islands and blessed with average annual temperatures of 23⁰, Tenerife is an established destination for European golfers both in the winter and summer thanks to its perfect all-year round climate.
Featuring nine different and varied layouts, Tenerife also offers 70km of beaches and a wide range of cultural highlights and activities both on and off the water, making it the ideal location for a golf break.
Carlos Alonso, president of the Tenerife Government (Cabildo), said: “Tenerife is now firmly established as a destination for European golfers. Not only will it be a great privilege for us to host IGTM, it gives Tenerife an unrivalled opportunity to showcase itself as a winter and summer destination to the golf tour operator industry and at key golfing events around Europe.
“Beyond golf, we believe we can offer tourists an exceptional and varied visitor experience to our island. From the breathtaking views from the peak of Mount Teide to our world-class tourist attractions which include whale and dolphin watching, star gazing and Europe’s largest water park, Tenerife really does have something for everyone to enjoy.
“The Tenerife government is dedicated to the continued promotion and growth of golf tourism, and hosting IGTM is an important part of that investment.”
For Peter Walton, president and chief executive of IAGTO, the decision to name Tenerife as the host venue in 2015 constitutes travelling full circle with IGTM.
Walton, a former UK director of the Tenerife Tourist Board, explained: “It was while gazing out over the Atlantic, after a round of golf on the ethereal island of La Gomera, just off the coast of Tenerife, that I hatched the idea of both the International Golf Travel Market and IAGTO way back in 1996. So the 18th IGTM in Tenerife will be a ‘coming home’ of sorts for me to the place where my journey through the golf tourism industry really began.
“Tenerife, now with eight courses, can be proud of having become an established and important golf destination, and one that has consistently delivered an exceptional level of golf experience.”
Next year will be the first time that Tenerife will have the honour of staging IGTM, with the world’s premier event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media taking place at the Magma Conference Centre in Costa Adeje from October 5-8, 2015, and leading figures in the golf industry have given their full backing to the decision.
Tom Watt, product and commercial manager at Supertravel Golf, said: “This decision is well overdue, well deserved and recognition for the support that Tenerife has given to the golf tourism industry over the years.
“The island is one of our premier golf destinations, and its fantastic array of high quality accommodation, excellent golf courses and fantastic climate make Tenerife the number one for Spain.”
Andrew Smith, director of product at Your Golf Travel, added: “We’re delighted to be heading to Tenerife in 2015 and the decision is a deserved reward for all the hard work that has gone in to establishing the island as a key destination for golfers across Europe.
“With a wide variety of activities and attractions to choose from on and off the course, It’s no surprise to us that the number of golfers choosing Tenerife for an overseas golf break has risen year on year, and with an increasing number of international flight connections, that trend is set to continue in the years to come.”
Tenerife has been a leading supporter of IGTM since its inception and was confirmed as the host venue for the 2015 International Golf Travel Market at the end of this year’s event, which was held in Lake Como, Italy, at the end of October.
The show was the latest in a hectic few months for Tenerife Golf that has seen them travel to all corners of the continent and exhibit at a wide range of European Tour events and golf trade shows.
Tenerife has won widespread praise as an all-year-round golfing destination this year having hosted the Tenerife Open de Espana Femenino in September as well as staging the Fred Olsen Challenge de España on the Men’s European Challenge Tour, at La Gomera, in May.
The island features nine different and varied layouts: Buenavista in the west; Real Club de Golf de Tenerife in the north; and Golf Costa Adeje, Abama, Las Americas, Golf del Sur, Amarilla, and Los Palos in the south. Tecina Golf is a 40-minute ferry ride from the mainland on the beautiful island of La Gomera.
For more details on playing golf in Tenerife, visit www.webtenerife.com/golf; www.facebook.com/TenerifeGolf; or @TwiTenerifeGolf. There is also a new Tenerife Golf app available to download free.
