Brand USA to Promote American Golfing Vacations

Washington DC (United States) – July 14, 2015 – Brand USA the destination-marketing organization for the U.S. is partnering with the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) to raise the profile of American golf-related tourism among global travelers.

IAGTO, headquartered in London, is an advocate for nearly 600 golf tour operators in 61 countries. It also works with a network of close to 2,400 association members in 99 countries that are tied to golf tourism in order to develop optimal golfing experiences at golf destinations around the world.

The two organizations will evaluate the current state of golf tourism in the U.S. through an online survey designed by IAGTO that will be issued to golf courses and golf resorts across the country. Brand USA will promote the survey among local Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs) as a prelude to forging marketing strategies that elevate golf tourism.

Peter Walton, IAGTO’s chief executive, unveiled the survey at his group’s seventh annual North America Golf Tourism Convention, held this month in Palm Springs, Calif. The important first step in any integrated golf tourism strategy is to calculate the current value of golf tourism and to assess its capacity for growth, he said.

Walton added that the new initiative identifies 30 U.S. states as being most relevant and attractive to international visitors traveling for the primary purpose of playing golf.

He said this year’s host organization for the convention, the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau, would be the first local tourism organization to invite area golf venues to participate in the survey. Palm Springs has more than a hundred 18-hole courses.

Tom Garzilli, senior vice-president for Global Partner Marketing at Brand USA, who also addressed the convention, said: The assessment provides a baseline from which to build, and the members of IAGTO present an audience that we can work with to develop appropriate golf tourism products. We can then work with our destination partners, the golf courses and CVBs to create meaningful cooperative-marketing programs that will resonate in U.S. markets of all sizes.

As a year-round activity, golf entices travelers to many parts of the U.S., Garzilli said. I see this golf tourism opportunity as a way that Brand USA can provide value from the very smallest golf operator in a small city to our largest cities and states. It also presents opportunities for extended stays, travel with families and add-on destinations. We always try to find ways that we can add and create value for our partners and that’s why golf tourism is really compelling.
IAGTO’s convention at Palm Springs drew 103 golf tour operators from 23 countries and another 180 representatives of golf resorts, golf courses, hotels and tourist boards from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

For more information see www.iagto.com/brandusa

Contact information:
Guillaume Post
Marketing & Communications Manager
IAGTO
Concorde House, Grenville Place, London NW7 3SA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8906 3377
Mob: +44 (0) 7775 026011
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8906 8181
Email: gpost@iagto.com
Website: www.iagto.com

IAGTO – The Global Trade Organisation for the Golf Tourism Industry
IAGTO – 8th North America Convention 26-29 June 2016 – Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina
IAGTO – International Golf Travel Market 5-8 October 2015 – Tenerife, Spain
IAGTO – Annual Golf Travel Awards 8 October 2015 – Tenerife, Spain
IAGTO – 5th Asia Golf Tourism Convention 24-27 April 2016 – Chiang Mai, Thailand
IAGTO – Administration of the International Golf Travel Writers Association