Scotland, the home of golf, is heading to Mexico later in the year at the world’s leading golfing exhibition: the International Golf Travel Market, IGTM, draws together the world’s most prestigious buyers and suppliers from the world of golf.

With its roots dating back to 1457, golf has become a major tourism sector across the globe. As home to the game, the economic contribution to Scotland is an estimated £300 million spent by the tens of thousands of visitors from America, Japan and Europe.

The U.S. market alone accounts for over £50 million to the Scottish economy with an average spend of £1,600 per trip. Golfers spend twice that of other visitors to Scotland and for every £1 spent on a green fee, a further £5 is spent elsewhere in the Scottish economy.

With over 550 golf courses in Scotland and five of the eight Open Championship courses, including the Old Course, Turnberry, and Muirfield, Scotland has one of the world’s best golfing reputations – reflected in Scotland being selected to host the Ryder Cup in 2014 at the world renowned Gleneagles Hotel.

Already lined up for IGTM are Carnoustie Golf Links, Loch Lomond and, the St Andrews Golf Development Group comprising the Old Course Hotel, St Andrews Links Trust, Kingsbarns Golf Links and the Fairmont St Andrews Resort. Machrihanish Dunes Golf Club, Murrayshall House Hotel, and The Carrick will also be taking part in the four-day event.

“The level and number of Scottish exhibitors clearly highlights Scotland’s commitment to the golf tourism sector. IGTM has always been a valuable sales and marketing exercise. 2007’s show will see an increase in USA buyers, all of whom have already registered an interest in meeting the Scottish contingency. Scotland should inevitably see an increase in demand for golf-related tourism over the coming years,” said Catherine Vaughan, Marketing Manager for IGTM.

Highlights of a Decade • IGTM 1998. 4th- 6th Dec. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. 131 exhibitors from 16 countries.

• IGTM 1999. 1st– 4th Dec. Vilamora, Portugal.

• IGTM 2000. 10th-13th Dec. Jacksonville, Florida. 44 countries

• IGTM 2001. 5th- 8th Dec. Sun City, South Africa. 104 golf travel buyers. Exhibitors representing 31 countries. Buyers represented 23 countries. A total of 193 Exhibiting companies attended the event. 316 exhibiting personnel. Overall attendance of 460 delegates.

• IGTM 2002. 8-11th Dec. Biarritz, France. 35 countries, 263 exhibitors, 178 buyers.

• IGTM 2003. 8-11th Dec. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. 38 countries, Barcelo Convention Centre. First-timers Hungary, Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, Jamaica and Mauritius.

• IGTM 2004. 6th-9th Dec. Estoril & Sintra Golf Coast, Portugal. 910 delegates.

• IGTM 2005. 5th-8th Dec. Maspalomas Gran Canaria. Islas Canarias. Spain. Over 950 delegates from 47 countries. Exhibitors 377

• IGTM 2006. 20th-23rd Nov. Andalucía, Spain. 36% increase in new buyers to 333. 392 exhibitors from 47 countries. First-timers Hong Kong and Colombia. New destinations: Cuba, St Vincent & The Grenadines.

• IGTM 2007. 3rd – 6th December, 2007 Cancun, Mexico.