The 20th edition of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM), the most important B2B global fair for suppliers, buyers and media specialists in golf tourism, opens its doors today in the French city of Cannes.

This flagship edition of the IGTM serves this year as a prelude to the most prestigious team golf tournament in the world: the 2018 Ryder Cup, which will take place at the Golf National, in Paris. More than 1 delegates will come to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes for three days of meetings organized in advance and networking opportunities.

"From its inception in Fort Lauderdale in 1998, the IGTM has set itself the goal of representing the global golf industry," said Peter Grimster, IGTM Exhibition Director.

“It is therefore particularly satisfying to see so many representatives from all over the world joining us this year. This confirms the success of our strategy to create an environment conducive to high quality meetings. "

The show kicked off with a message from David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes, who welcomed the delegates to one of the most elegant golfing destinations in Europe. Carlton Carugati, director at the IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators), then announced the winners of the IAGTO awards for 2018.

This 18th prize-giving ceremony, organized by the world golf tourism organization, partner of IGTM, rewards golf destinations and resorts that offer an exceptional experience. It also welcomes golf courses that adopt a sustainability approach.

The IAGTO “Unsung Golf Destination of the Year” award, which was awarded to notable winners such as Slovenia, which will host IGTM in 2018, was presented this year to Flanders, northern region from Belgium. It has 55 golf clubs, including the Rinkven International Golf Club, which in 2018 will host the Belgian Knockout tournament as part of the European circuit.

The “Golf Resort of the Year” awards were also presented during the opening ceremony: Aphrodite Hills Resort, the National PGA of Cyprus, won for the European region, Pebble Beach Resorts for the North America region and Fancourt, in South Africa, won for the rest of the world.

Several golf resorts concerned with the environment, the preservation of natural space, the efficiency of resources and local communities have also been awarded: these are Finca Cortesin in Spain, Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort in Costa Rica and Golf della Montecchia in Italy.

Here is the full list of the 2018 IAGTO laureates:

Golf destination of the year:

• North America - North Carolina
• Latin America and the Caribbean - Bahamas
• Europe - Costa Blanca, Spain
• Africa, Gulf States and Indian Ocean - Dubai
• Asia and Australasia - New Zealand

Little-known golf destination of the year IAGTO

• Flanders, Belgium

Golf resort of the year

• Europe - Aphrodite Hills Resort, The National PGA of Cyprus
• North America - Pebble Beach Resorts
• Rest of the world - Fancourt, South Africa

IAGTO Sustainability Award

• Resource efficiency - Finca Cortesin, Spain
• Nature Protection - Los Sueños Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Costa Rica
• Community development - Golf della Montecchia, Italy

The 21st edition of IGTM will take place at the GR Exhibition and Convention Center in the heart of Ljubljana, Slovenia, from October 15 to 18, 2018.

For more information on IGTM, visit the following site: igtm.wtm.com