31 July 2009 - This July, Sata Internacional, the Azores’ national airline, will become a member of the major trade organisation for the Golf tourism industry, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators). This partnership aims to position SATA Internacional as a leading provider of leisure travel to the Azores and meet the demands of the growing number of golf enthusiasts visiting the beautiful green islands.
Famed for its natural beauty and array of activities, the Azores is currently visited by many seeking active holidays, including golfers who enjoy the lush green fairways and stunning scenic backdrops. By introducing the islands to IAGTO's members, SATA Internacional can further enhance the reputation of the island as an active adventure destination, and provide comprehensive golf experiences to suit the needs of the avid or casual golfer.
The Azores has three golf courses; the Terceria Golf Club on Terceria Island, and Campo de Golfe de Batalha and Furnas Golf Course on São Miguel. Located just 10km from the airport, Terceria Golf Club is surrounded by natural beauty, offering a range of ponds, ravines and flourishing fairways lined with flowering vegetation, including cryptomerias (Japanese cedars) and hydrangeas. The capital São Miguel offers a 27-hole picturesque course with views of sea, lakes, woodland and volcanic mountains. Furnas Golf Course provides the greenest offering with its idyllic location in the mountains above the Furnas Valley, surrounded by lush tropical vegetation and mineral spas.
For visitors looking for more than golf, the nine islands of the Azores offer plenty of experiences from whale watching to scuba diving, cycling, walking, horse riding, bird watching to wine and cheese tasting.
Located just over 3½hrs from the UK, SATA Internacional makes exploring the Azores archipelago on a two-centre, fly-drive, or island-hopping break, even easier thanks to its convenient flight connections.
SATA Internacional offers a weekly flight departing from London Gatwick and Manchester to Ponta Delgada on São Miguel Island with prices from £296pp return. The flight takes under four hours and includes a hot in-flight meal, bar service and a generous baggage allowance. SATA Internacional also offers the most comprehensive inter-island connections throughout the Azores archipelago and prices start from £32pp for each inter-island flight.
SATA Internacional reservations: 0844 482 1678 or info@flysata.co.uk. For more information on SATA Internacional visit www.sata.pt
Notes to editors:
SATA International has a fleet of 2 Airbus A320 (3x3 configuration) with economy and business class cabins. The airline was founded in 1941 and began operations in 1947.
Established in 1997, IAGTO membership comprises 1165 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 77 countries including, at its core, 307 specialist golf tour operators in 49 countries. It is estimated that IAGTO’s operators control over 80% of golf holiday packages sold worldwide outside of Asia and turnover more than €1 billion per year. IAGTO was set up 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.
