More than 230 golf tourism professionals to attend, 26-29 June 2013
London, 4 June 2013 - The 5th IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention takes place 26-29 June 2013 at the Marco Island Marriott Beach Resort, Golf Club & Spa - Marco Island, Florida. With almost 100 golf tour operators from more than 20 different countries selling North America attending, this is an event not to be missed by any golf tourism suppliers.
Recent research has indicated golf tourism is out performing regular tourism due to the higher spend and more affluent customer, which is a key target area for the 2013 convention host, Florida’s Paradise Coast - Naples, Marco Island and Everglades. The destination is honored to provide the location for golf suppliers, venues and buyers to come together, introduce themselves and share the latest industry updates whilst attending business sessions, meetings and briefings. Leisure times haven’t been overlooked by organisers with the possibility to attend many networking functions - including a golf tournament at Marco Island Marriott’s Championship courses, The Rookery & Hammock Bay.
“Florida’s Paradise Coast is delighted to welcome for the first time IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention”, says Jack Wert, Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director, “This is the perfect occasion for us to showcase Naples, Marco Island & Everglades’ outstanding facilities to key decision makers and encourage them to experience new & recently renovated offerings firsthand. This is also a great opportunity for us to work with some new operators with the aim to increase future bookings.”
IAGTO's director Carlton Carugati said "We welcome taking our North American Convention back to Florida as it is a leading golf tourism region within the USA and in particular to Naples, Marco Island and Everglades region. The region's excellent golf courses, hotels and facilities really lend themselves to being a top golf destination in Florida and we believe introducing international and domestic tour operators to this region will result in more golf tourists enjoying the Paradise Coast in the future."
According to the National Golf Foundation, Naples ranks first in its latest national Golf Holes Per Capita survey. With 90 courses in Collier County, there are plenty of choices for pleasure or punishment, depending on the players’ skills and eagerness. Whilst many courses are for private members only, there is a great variety of public courses, as well as many semi-private courses which are open for public bookings at excellent rates during the low season between May and December.
In 2012, nearly 90 million people visited the state of Florida – including 10.2 million overseas visitors and 3.6 million Canadians. With tropical wildlife in Everglades National Park, beautiful beaches, great shopping and dining on fresh seafood, Florida’s Paradise Coast is the perfect destination with something to do for all ages and interests.
About Florida's Paradise Coast
Whether travellers are looking for a romantic escape or family getaway, Florida’s Paradise Coast - Naples, Marco Island and the western portion of the Everglades - has an array of holiday options year-round. With more than 30 miles of soft, white sand beaches, a thriving arts and culture scene, distinctive dining and the best of outdoor adventure, the Paradise Coast is truly a destination with it all. Located just two hours from Miami, four hours from Orlando and three hours from Tampa, the Paradise Coast is easily accessible via additional US gateways connecting into Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW).
Florida’s Paradise Coast to host IAGTO North American Convention 2013
The 5th IAGTO North America Golf Tourism Convention will take place at the Marco Island Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa, 26-29 June 2013. More than 100 international golf tour operators selling North America will attend the Convention.
IAGTO's membership comprises 2,117 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 91 countries including, at its core, 505 specialist golf tour operators in 61 countries. It is estimated that IAGTO’s operators control over 85% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide and turnover £1 billion per year.
Visit us at www.ParadiseCoast.co.uk
Twitter: @ParadiseCoastUK / Facebook: Paradise Coast UK
