Inspirational

Mark Your Calendars: IAGTO Reveals 2025 Event Lineup Across Three Continents

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IAGTO has unveiled its schedule for global golf tourism conventions in 2025, featuring events in Vietnam, Spain, and the United States.The International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) has unveiled its schedule for global golf tourism conventions in 2025, featuring events in Vietnam, Spain, and the United States. These conventions aim to connect golf tour operators, resorts, courses, and tourism boards, fostering collaboration and growth within the industry.

Tee Times Golf Agency participated in the 2024 IAGTO European Convention (IEC) and the North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC), reinforcing our position as a leader in the golf tourism industry. In addition to our dynamic participation in the Malaga and Michigan events, we showcased our complete golf holiday packages and our ability to connect with key players in the market.

The 11th Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) will take place in Danang, Vietnam, from April 2 to 4, 2025. AGTC is a key platform for professionals focusing on the Asian golf market, offering networking opportunities and insights into regional trends. Danang, renowned for its picturesque coastline and world-class golf courses, provides an ideal backdrop for this gathering.

Following AGTC, the 3rd IAGTO European Convention (IEC) will be held in Gran Canaria, Spain, from May 19-21, 2025. IEC concentrates on European and African golf destinations, bringing together industry stakeholders to discuss market developments and establish partnerships. Gran Canaria’s diverse landscapes and esteemed golf facilities make it a fitting venue for this convention.

Concluding the series, the 16th North America Golf Tourism Convention (NAC) is scheduled for June 17-19, 2025, in Birmingham, Alabama, USA. NAC emphasises golf tourism within the Americas, providing a platform for suppliers and buyers to engage in meaningful discussions and collaborations. Birmingham, celebrated for its rich cultural heritage and proximity to the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, offers a compelling setting for this event.

Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO, highlighted the organisation’s commitment to delivering productive and enjoyable conventions catering to golf destinations and outbound markets. He emphasised that each event is tailored to the specific needs of its region, attracting golf tour operators who specialise in those destinations. Walton also noted that appointments at these conventions are scheduled based on mutual agreement, ensuring valuable interactions between buyers and suppliers.

Registration for these conventions has been open to IAGTO members, with over 600 delegates signed up across all three events. This enthusiastic response underscores the industry’s eagerness to engage in these global gatherings. IAGTO continues to play a pivotal role in connecting golf tourism professionals, fostering growth, and promoting collaboration within the industry.

For more information on IAGTO’s upcoming conventions and membership details, interested parties can visit the organisation’s official website.

Tee Times IAGTO commitment

Through events like the IAGTO conventions, Tee Times Golf Agency continues to demonstrate our commitment to growth, innovation, and unparalleled customer service in the golf tourism sector.

Established in 1993, Tee Times has been synonymous with excellence in golf tourism, offering tailored packages that cater to every golfer’s dream. Whether you’re seeking the lush fairways of Portugal or the sun-kissed greens of Spain, Tee Times provides meticulously crafted experiences. Our services include seamless bookings for tee times, luxury accommodations, and exclusive access to some of Europe’s most prestigious golf courses designed to create unforgettable golf holidays.

Shaping the Future: How New Changes Could Revolutionise the PGA TOUR competitive landscape

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The PGA TOUR is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by the Player Advisory Council insights to create a more competitive, fan-engaging experience. The PGA TOUR is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by the Player Advisory Council (PAC) insights to create a more competitive, fan-engaging experience. This strategic shift comes from extensive feedback and evaluations. While formal changes await the PGA TOUR Policy Board’s final approval on November 18, the proposed adjustments aim to enhance the competitive landscape starting in 2026.

The PAC Subcommittees have focused on refining field sizes, eligibility categories, FedExCup points allocation, and player pathways. Key modifications under consideration include:

Optimised Field Sizes: The starting field for open tournaments would be limited to 144 players, with the flexibility to adjust to 120 or 132 based on daylight constraints. This aims to reduce delays due to darkness and improve the pace of play, enhancing the tournament experience for players, fans, and broadcasters.

Eligibility Revisions: The proposed adjustments would decrease the automatic exemption threshold from the top 125 to the top 100 FedExCup players, granting conditional status to those ranked 101-125. This change is based on extensive performance data to ensure only the most competitive players gain exemption.

Changes to Pathway Cards: The Korn Ferry Tour, the primary route to the PGA TOUR, will see its PGA TOUR cards reduced from 30 to 20, alongside a cap of five PGA TOUR Q-School cards and 10 from the DP World Tour. This aims to streamline the pathway while maintaining strong talent representation.

Sponsor Exemptions and Open Qualifying: Restricted sponsor exemptions would now be allocated to the following eligible players on the Priority Ranking list, optimising competition. Open Qualifying spots in tournaments with under 144 players would be limited to account for adjusted field sizes.

The PAC’s recommendations also include slight changes in FedExCup points distribution, giving a minor boost to second-place points in majors and The PLAYERS, with a decrease for positions beyond 7 in Signature Events.

These improvements, developed through rigorous analysis by the PAC’s subcommittees, reflect a commitment to enhancing the TOUR’s competitiveness and entertainment value for all stakeholders. The final vote in November will mark the next step toward a dynamic future for the PGA TOUR. What do you think of these proposed changes? Will they make the tour more thrilling for players and fans alike? Let us know your thoughts!

Source: www.pgatour.com

Tee Times Showcases Portugal Golf at USA & Canada Travel Trade Marketplace

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Tee Times Golf Agency recently participated in the Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace USA & Canada 2024, held from October 22-23.Tee Times Golf Agency recently participated in the Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace USA & Canada 2024, held from October 22-23 at the Grande Real Santa Eulália Hotel in Albufeira. Represented by Beatriz Costa, Sales & Marketing Executive, Tee Times experienced this exclusive event to connect with leading travel operators and agencies from the USA and Canada, highlighting our premier golf experiences in Portugal.

Organised by Turismo de Portugal in partnership with the Agência Regional de Promoção Turística do Algarve, the Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace provided a privileged platform for Portuguese tourism companies to engage with North America’s most prominent travel professionals. This second edition welcomed 110 buyers—71 from the USA and 39 from Canada—who participated in 4,407 one-to-one meetings, averaging 55 meetings per company, demonstrating Portugal’s growing appeal as a tourism destination.

With over 30 years of industry expertise, Tee Times has become a pioneer in golf tourism. Founded by Carlos Ferreira, the agency was among the first to offer green fee bookings in Portugal, establishing itself as a trusted name in online tee time reservations. At the marketplace, we showcased why we stand out in golf tourism:

  • Pioneers in Green Fee Bookings: With decades of experience, Tee Times was an early innovator in green fee reservations and now offers a user-friendly online booking system.
  • 30+ Years of Industry Expertise: Tee Times has deep knowledge of the golf sector and strong partnerships with courses and hotels. It ensures top-tier experiences at competitive rates.
  • 100,000+ Golf Rounds Annually: Since 2022, the agency has successfully booked over 100,000 rounds of golf annually, underscoring its reliability and commitment to excellent service.

Interest from the USA and Canadian markets was evident, with participating companies showing significant enthusiasm for Portugal’s unique tourism offerings. The Visit Portugal Travel Trade Marketplace allowed Tee Times and other Portuguese companies to deepen connections, discuss new trends, and strengthen Portugal’s position as a world-class golf destination. This marketplace marked a significant step in bringing Portugal’s unparalleled golf and tourism experiences closer to North American audiences, furthering the country’s reputation as an exceptional destination for golf and leisure.