Golf in Flanders, a joint initiative between the Flemish Golf Federation (VVG) and VisitFlanders (Flemish Tourist Board), has partnered with the European Golf & Travel Media Association to promote the destination to the international golf & travel media.
Although renowned for it’s history and culture, Flanders is an unknown quantity for golf but with over 50 golf courses to choose from, a round of golf is never far away from a quality meal and a great beer. Culturally vibrant cities like Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges all have their fair share of golf courses dotted around in many cases medieval historic city centres. Flanders is easily accessible via sea, air and road and with one of the most developed road networks in Europe, every golf course is within easy reach. Traditional architects like Seymour Dunn, Hawtree, Colt, Tom Simpson and Mackenzie Ross followed by Paul Rolin, Belgium’s most famous course architect, have created several masterpieces in Royal Antwerp, Royal Zoute, Royal Latem, Royal Belgian Golf Club, Rinkven G&CC, Cleydael GC and many others.
As part of the ongoing promotion efforts coordinated via Par4our Ltd and the European Golf & Travel Media Association, GolfinFlanders has just confirmed stand E40 in what promises to be the ‘go to’ pavilion at this year’s IGTM in Cannes. Golf in Flanders will provide general information about the destination and specific information about the golf courses and hotels with some specific sample itineraries and packages for IAGTO tour operators.
Jo Maes, Managing Director of Par4Our confirms: “The first six months we have promoted the Golf in Flanders initiative to the golf media and this will accumulate in the Golf in Flanders International Media Challenge in August. The next step is to convince the travel industry that there is significant value in adding Flanders as a golf destination and IGTM is the ideal platform. Arguably the largest and most important golf travel specific event in the world, IGTM will provide Golf in Flanders in general and the courses and hotels in particular, the platform to promote themselves to the tour operators.’
IGTM is the ideal showcase to present a golf destination to the assembled travel trade. This year’s edition will take place in Cannes, South of France in December 2017.
ENDS
About EGTMA & Golf in Flanders
EGTMA stands for European Golf & Travel Media association. Started in 2006, the EGTMA has organised over 43 media events in various countries. These events have resulted in media exposure with an EAV (Equivalent Advertising Value) in the millions of Euros for destinations and courses visited during these media trips. EGTMA is a member’s organisation.
The EGTMA resides under the umbrella of par4our Ltd, a global golf consultancy company providing a variety of services and support with regards to media, marketing and technology.
The VVG or Flemish Golf Federation governs the sport of golf in Flanders as a result of the devolved institutions in Belgium. Their mission is to elevate the sport of golf working on three pillars … increase the number of players, increase the number of clubs and improving the quality of golf players and clubs in general via education.
golfinflanders.com is the initiative, brand and website used to provide golfers with information about the golf offering in the region.
Flanders has 25 golf clubs of 18 holes or more and 27 clubs with 9 holes or less. The Belgian Open was last played in Royal Zoute in 2000 which Nick Faldo and others claimed to be one of the best courses on the then European tour rota.