Algarve and Thracian Cliffs headline IAGTO Award winners
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The Algarve and stunning Bulgaria venue Thracian Cliffs were among the major winners at last night’s prestigious IAGTO Awards for 2014.
In a glittering gathering at the spectacular Tarragona Placa De Toros (Bull Ring), Costa Daurada, Spain, at the end of the 2013 International Golf Travel Market the ever-popular Portugal hotspot won Europe’s Golf Destination of the Year title while Thracian Cliffs, this year’s World Match Play host, took the Best Resort prize.
The IAGTO Awards – sponsored by Etihad Airways – are the official annual awards for the golf tourism industry.
IAGTO’s Chief Executive, Peter Walton, said: “The annual golf holiday is the highlight of the golfing year for many of the world’s 55 million players, and the IAGTO Awards serve to reward a few exceptional contributions to this world of golf travel.
“There is certainly no shortage of candidates worthy of recognition. Many individuals, companies, organisations and destinations have excelled in delivering a great golfing experience to the golf traveller – the ultimate goal for all involved in golf tourism.
“The Awards serve also to encourage private and public sector organisations to work closely together in the development and promotion of new and existing golf destinations, making them accessible to and enjoyable by the widest range of golfers.”
New for the 2014 Awards were four award categories recognising excellence in environmental sustainability and social responsibility at IAGTO member golf courses around the world. These Sustainability Awards were coordinated in partnership with the Golf Environment Organisation and among the victors was Lumine G&CC, a short drive from the venue.
Also new for the 2014 Awards was the headline sponsorship by Etihad Airways – the first airline to sign up to IAGTO’s Preferred Airline scheme back in 2005 that recognised golfer-friendly airlines that carried golf bags free of charge in addition to standard baggage allowance.
Another key award saw South African superstar and 2011 Open Champion, Ernie Els, became IAGTO’s 14th Honorary Award recipient.
Sweden saw off some strong challenges to land the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year award, voted for by members of the International Association of Golf Travel Writers, with over 180 member journalists from 35 countries.
Winners of the 2014 IAGTO Awards
Golf Resort of the Year – Europe: Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort, Bulgaria.
Golf Resort of the Year – North America: The Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon Bay, California.
Golf Resort of the Year – Rest of the World: The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, New Zealand.
Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year: Sweden.
Golf Destination of the Year – Africa, the Indian Ocean & the Gulf States: The Garden Route, South Africa.
Golf Destination of the Year – Asia & Australasia: Hua Hin, Thailand.
Golf Destination of the Year – Europe: The Algarve, Portugal (Pictured).
Golf Destination of the Year – Latin America & the Caribbean: Costa Rica.
Golf Destination of the Year – North America: Naples, Marco Island & The Everglades, Florida.
Outstanding Supplier of the Year: Dubai Golf.
IAGTO Honorary Award: Ernie Els (pictured).
Other awards
Nature conservation – The Tryall Club, Jamaica.
Efficient use of resources – Lumine, Spain
Community engagement – La Paloma CC, Arizona, USA
Overall winner of the Environmentally Sustainability award – Ritz-Carlton, Orlando, Florida, USA