Portugal Joins Dominican Republic, Cyprus and More Countries Uniting as International Golf Travel Market Takes France as Centre Stage

Portugal joins Dominican Republic, Cyprus and more countries uniting as International Golf Travel Market takes France as centre stage. Scheduled for 19–22 October 2026 in Cannes, the event will bring together global golf tourism businesses, travel buyers and resort operators to strengthen partnerships, promote destinations and explore international opportunities.

France Hosts IGTM 2026 as Saudi Arabia, Japan and Global Golf Tourism Companies Gather in Cannes, bringing international destinations, golf resorts, travel buyers and hospitality businesses together from 19 to 22 October. The four-day trade event will strengthen industry connections, encourage new partnerships and highlight emerging opportunities across global golf tourism.

International Golf Travel Market 2026 Brings Global Golf Tourism Industry to France

Cannes Prepares to Welcome International Golf Tourism Businesses

Cannes, one of France’s leading international conference destinations, is preparing to host the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) from 19 to 22 October 2026. The four-day gathering at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès will bring together golf tourism businesses, destination representatives, resort operators and specialist travel buyers.

Organised by RX, IGTM provides a dedicated business platform where companies can develop commercial relationships, promote golf holidays and explore opportunities in international tourism.

The 2026 edition will place particular emphasis on emerging golf destinations, established European markets and the growing relationship between golf tourism, hospitality and technology.

According to the official IGTM website, pre-arranged meetings remain central to the exhibition, allowing suppliers and qualified buyers to discuss partnerships and commercial opportunities

Saudi Arabia Expands Its Presence in International Golf Tourism

Saudi Arabia will be among the notable destinations represented at IGTM 2026, with Golf Saudi joining the exhibition as a new participant.

The organisation will introduce international travel buyers to the country’s developing golf tourism offering, including golf facilities and destinations connected with its broader tourism investment programme.

Among the Saudi golf properties associated with the showcase are Riyadh Golf Club, Dirab Golf & Country Club, Shura Links and The National Golf Club at Qiddiya City.

Their participation provides an opportunity to introduce golf experiences to specialist tour operators already working with premium leisure travellers.

For Saudi Arabia, golf tourism represents an additional segment within its efforts to diversify visitor experiences. Golf holidays can combine sporting activities with resort accommodation, cultural excursions, restaurants and other leisure services.

Participation in IGTM will give Saudi representatives access to buyers who understand the requirements of international golf travellers, including course availability, accommodation standards, transfers and holiday packaging.

Japan Strengthens Its Golf Travel Connections

Japan will also attract attention through the participation of the Japan Golf Tourism Association and Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide.

Japan offers an established domestic golf industry alongside accommodation, transport and hospitality infrastructure that can support international visitors.

For overseas tour operators, the country’s golf tourism appeal extends beyond individual courses. Visitors can combine golf with Japanese cuisine, cultural attractions, shopping and regional travel.

The participation of Japanese organisations at IGTM provides opportunities to build relationships with European and international golf travel specialists.

Such partnerships are important because international golf holidays often require detailed planning. Travellers may need assistance with course reservations, local transport, equipment arrangements and accommodation close to golfing facilities.

By working with experienced travel companies, destinations can make these arrangements more accessible to overseas visitors.

Portugal, Spain and France Highlight Established Golf Destinations

European golf tourism destinations will remain important participants in the Cannes exhibition.

Portugal is represented by organisations and businesses including the Algarve Tourism Association, Amendoeira Golf Resort, AP Hotels & Resorts and Aroeira Lisbon Hotel.

The Algarve has an established international reputation for golf holidays, supported by resort accommodation and a network of golf courses.

Spain will be represented by tourism organisations including the Catalan Tourist Board, Cádiz Tourism Board and BASQUETOUR.

These organisations can use the exhibition to present their regional tourism offerings and develop relationships with travel companies selling European golf holidays.

France will also have a strong presence as the host country. Exhibitors listed in the event directory include Barrière Hotels & Resorts, Golf Cannes Old Course, Côte d’Azur France and Domaine de Manville.

Their involvement highlights the relationship between golf tourism and the wider hospitality sector, particularly in destinations where visitors combine sporting activities with dining, cultural experiences and luxury accommodation.

The official IGTM exhibitor directory provides information on participating businesses and destination organisations.

Companies and organisations exhibiting at IGTM 2026

The following organisations have been publicly identified as participants or exhibitors for the 2026 event. These are named examples, not the complete exhibitor directory.

Cyprus, Kenya and the Dominican Republic Explore International Opportunities

The 2026 event will also provide exposure for destinations seeking stronger positions in international golf travel.

Cyprus is represented through its Deputy Ministry of Tourism, with the destination promoting golf alongside accommodation and other visitor experiences.

Kenya’s YENGOLF is among the participating golf tourism businesses, reflecting opportunities for African destinations to develop specialist travel products.

The Dominican Republic will be represented by established resort names including Puntacana Resort and Casa de Campo.

For Caribbean destinations, golf tourism can complement beach holidays, luxury accommodation and other resort-based experiences.

The presence of businesses from these markets demonstrates how golf travel extends across different geographical regions and tourism models.

However, exhibition participation should not be interpreted as evidence of confirmed future visitor growth. Commercial results will depend on agreements, product development and demand in individual source markets.

IGTM Discovery Introduces a Wider Golf Industry Platform

One of the most significant developments for 2026 is the introduction of IGTM Discovery.

The new platform expands the traditional golf tourism marketplace by bringing technology providers, equipment businesses, retail suppliers and golf club management professionals into the exhibition environment.

It is designed to connect the wider golf industry with businesses involved in operating and developing golf facilities.

According to the organiser, IGTM Discovery will cover technology, apparel, accessories, merchandising and club operations.

This expansion is relevant to golf tourism because the quality of the visitor experience depends on more than the golf course itself.

Booking systems, customer service, course maintenance, retail operations and facility management all influence the services available to travelling golfers.

Bringing these businesses together creates opportunities for resorts and golf clubs to examine operational improvements while developing tourism partnerships.

Business Meetings Remain Central to the Exhibition

Unlike consumer travel fairs, IGTM operates primarily as a business-to-business marketplace.

Exhibitors meet qualified travel buyers through scheduled appointments intended to support commercial discussions.

The buyers include specialist golf tour operators and travel businesses involved in creating and distributing golf holiday packages.

These meetings allow suppliers to explain their products, discuss contractual arrangements and understand the requirements of different international markets.

For travel companies, the exhibition provides access to destinations, resorts and golf facilities that could become part of future holiday programmes.

IGTM’s 2025 edition brought together 268 exhibitors from 36 countries and 300 buyers from 51 countries, according to the organiser’s post-event report. These figures provide a historical benchmark rather than a final participation count for 2026

Golf Industry Conference Addresses Technology and Sustainability

Alongside commercial meetings, the expanded programme will provide educational sessions covering the operational and commercial challenges facing golf businesses.

Topics include technology, sustainability, professional development, course maintenance and revenue management.

The programme includes a session led by Mark Skinner of The Professional Golfers’ Association on professional learning and development.

Other sessions will examine agronomy trends and the management of golf facilities with multiple revenue sources.

These discussions are relevant to resorts and destination operators because long-term tourism competitiveness depends on service quality, environmental management and commercial performance.

The conference will also provide opportunities for golf tourism businesses to exchange practical knowledge with professionals from related sectors

Cannes Provides an International Setting for Golf Tourism Networking

The French Riviera will provide the setting for the exhibition’s business meetings and networking activities.

The programme begins on 19 October with golf activities at Terre Blanche, Golf d’Opio-Valbonne and Golf de la Grande Bastide.

The main exhibition and IGTM Discovery activities are scheduled from 20 to 22 October at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.

Networking events will also take place during the gathering, giving delegates opportunities to develop professional relationships outside formal appointments.

Cannes benefits from its established conference infrastructure, hotel accommodation and access to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport.

For international delegates, these facilities support the organisation of meetings, accommodation and onward travel during the event.

Golf Tourism Creates Opportunities Across the Travel Industry

The importance of IGTM extends beyond golf courses and specialist tour operators.

Golf tourism involves hotels, airlines, ground transport providers, destination management companies, restaurants and local tourism businesses.

Travellers booking golf holidays may require several nights of accommodation, transfers between courses, equipment services and additional leisure experiences.

This creates opportunities for destinations to develop packages combining golf with gastronomy, wellness, culture and other tourism activities.

For the travel trade, IGTM 2026 provides a focused environment to assess these opportunities and establish the partnerships needed to deliver them.

The event’s expansion into technology and golf operations also reflects the increasingly connected nature of tourism services.

As Cannes prepares to welcome the international golf travel community, the exhibition will provide an opportunity to examine how established and emerging destinations are positioning their golf tourism products for global buyers.

IGTM 2026 will bring international golf tourism businesses to Cannes, strengthening connections between destinations, resorts and travel buyers. With Saudi Arabia, Japan and established European markets participating, alongside the new IGTM Discovery platform, the exhibition will provide opportunities for commercial partnerships, industry knowledge sharing and future tourism development.

The post Portugal Joins Dominican Republic, Cyprus and More Countries Uniting as International Golf Travel Market Takes France as Centre Stage appeared first on Travel and Tour World