Türkiye Sets New Ambitions for Luxury Golf Tourism as Antalya Secures International Golf Travel Market 2027

Türkiye is joining Spain, Portugal, and Morocco in the limelight as a premier international golf destination, bolstered by Antalya’s selection to host the 30th edition of IGTM and IGTM Discovery in 2027. This milestone opens a new chapter for the country’s golf tourism sector, cementing the Belek area as a top-tier hub for luxury resorts, championship courses, and international business trips. The international golf tourism event, organized by RX, will bring together buyers of golf tourism, resort companies, travel experts, and industry professionals from all around the world.”

Antalya to Host Landmark IGTM and IGTM Discovery 2027 Edition

The 30th edition of IGTM and IGTM Discovery will take place from 18 to 21 October 2027 at the NEST Congress and Exhibition Centre in Belek, Antalya. The four-day event will bring together businesses involved in golf holidays, resort development, travel distribution and the wider golf industry.

Türkiye’s selection represents a significant opportunity to present its established golf infrastructure and hospitality sector to international buyers.

Belek, already recognised for its championship courses and luxury accommodation, will provide the setting for professional meetings and destination showcases. The occasion will also highlight Antalya’s potential as a destination for combining golf, leisure and cultural tourism.

Cannes Announcement Places Türkiye at the Centre of International Golf Travel

The announcement was made during the 2026 edition of IGTM and IGTM Discovery at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France.

The event has attracted representatives from the international golf tourism sector for four days of commercial meetings, networking and industry discussions.

Organisers welcomed Türkiye’s selection, highlighting the country’s success in developing golf tourism alongside high-quality hospitality and resort experiences.

The decision also creates a natural connection between the established European golf tourism marketplace and Türkiye’s growing international destination profile.

As the exhibition celebrates its 30th edition, Antalya will provide a setting for showcasing the country’s expanding tourism offerings to industry professionals.

Türkiye Sees Major Opportunity to Strengthen Golf Tourism Worldwide

The Türkiye Tourism Promotion and Development Agency views the 2027 gathering as an opportunity to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in international golf travel.

Türkiye has established an international reputation for combining golf facilities with hospitality, cultural heritage and varied visitor experiences.

The event will provide a platform to showcase attractions both within and beyond golf resorts.

Visitors to Antalya can combine time on championship courses with coastal experiences, historical sightseeing and premium accommodation.

For tourism businesses, the gathering presents opportunities to build commercial relationships and introduce Türkiye’s golf holiday offering to additional international markets.

The announcement also reinforces the country’s ambition to attract travellers interested in premium sports tourism experiences.

Millenium Golf Prepares to Showcase Belek to Global Buyers

Millenium Golf is working closely with IGTM and IGTM Discovery on preparations for the 2027 event.

The organisation regards the opportunity to host the anniversary edition as an important achievement for the Turkish golf industry.

Preparations will focus on demonstrating the quality of Türkiye’s golf courses, resorts and hospitality services to international travel buyers and media representatives.

For Belek, this creates an opportunity to strengthen visibility among businesses that influence golf holiday bookings.

The event may also encourage specialist tour operators to explore additional partnerships with local resorts and golf facilities, although specific new packages have not yet been announced.

Golf Day Opens Cannes 2026 with Three Prominent French Courses

The 2026 event began on Monday, 19 October, with a dedicated Golf Day across three courses in France.

Participants played at Le Riou at Terre Blanche, Golf d’Opio-Valbonne and Golf de la Grande Bastide, gaining opportunities to experience the region’s golfing facilities.

An official welcome reception followed, allowing delegates to establish connections before formal business meetings commenced.

Pre-scheduled appointments began on Tuesday, 20 October, forming the commercial centre of the event.

The programme combines practical golf experiences with structured discussions, providing a platform for travel companies, destination representatives and resort operators to explore future collaboration.

Buyers from 59 Countries Drive International Business Meetings

The Cannes gathering has brought together exhibitors and buyers representing 59 countries, demonstrating the international reach of the specialist golf tourism marketplace.

Buyers are expected to participate in nearly 40 meetings each during the week.

Another significant development is the arrival of new participants, with approximately 35% of buyers attending for the first time.

This combination of established and emerging industry relationships creates opportunities for destinations seeking greater international exposure.

The continued participation of established golf travel businesses demonstrates the commercial importance of meeting international buyers and resort operators in person.

Face-to-face networking also remains central to developing long-term partnerships despite the increasing availability of digital communication platforms.

Saudi Arabia Cyprus Japan and Other Destinations Expand Golf Tourism Presence

The 2026 edition is welcoming several first-time exhibitors, reflecting growing interest in golf travel across different regions.

New participants include Golf Saudi, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, representatives from Kenya, the Japan Golf Tourism Association and VisitAberdeenshire.

Established destinations such as Morocco, Spain and Portugal have also returned to Cannes.

These countries are using the gathering to present their golf courses, tourism experiences and hospitality offerings to international buyers.

Morocco continues to promote its combination of year-round golfing conditions, established courses and cultural attractions.

The participation of both established and emerging destinations highlights the increasingly diverse international golf tourism market.

Ireland Cyprus and Portugal Announce Significant Golf Resort Investments

Major hospitality developments are also attracting attention at the Cannes gathering.

Dromoland Castle in County Clare, Ireland, is preparing for a €55 million transformation, described as the largest hotel investment programme in its history. The property is targeting a reopening in July 2027.

Meanwhile, Minthis Resort in Cyprus is investing €3 million in its championship golf course.

In Portugal, Victoria Golf Resort & Spa, Managed by Accor, in Vilamoura is expected to become the country’s first Fairmont property in 2027.

These projects demonstrate how hospitality operators are investing in accommodation, golf facilities and premium visitor experiences.

For travellers, such developments could eventually provide additional choices in established European golf destinations.

IGTM Discovery Introduces a New Platform for Golf Technology and Retail

The launch of IGTM Discovery in 2026 represents a major expansion of the established golf tourism marketplace.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on destination marketing and travel distribution, the new platform connects golf clubs, resorts, facilities and retailers with suppliers.

Its business categories include technology, golf equipment, apparel, accessories and club operations.

Pitchfix is among the companies using the gathering to introduce products, including a new collection of premium golf gifts.

The company has reported encouraging interest from businesses seeking personalised products that could improve guest experiences.

The expansion is intended to create closer connections between golf tourism and the wider commercial industry.

More Than 30 Conference Sessions Explore the Future of Golf

IGTM Discovery has also introduced its first dedicated conference programme, featuring more than 30 sessions across three days.

The programme opened with a keynote addressing the future of professional development in the golf industry.

Other discussions cover sustainability, agronomy, women’s golf, collaboration with golf tour operators, tourism trends and new revenue opportunities.

The sessions aim to help golf businesses respond to changing consumer expectations and operational challenges.

By combining educational discussions with commercial meetings, IGTM Discovery broadens the traditional exhibition format.

The organiser intends to build on these developments as the international gathering moves to Türkiye in 2027.

What IGTM 2027 Means for International Golf Travellers

Although IGTM 2027 is primarily a business-to-business gathering, its potential influence extends to golf holidaymakers.

The event will introduce international tour operators to Türkiye’s golf facilities, accommodation providers and broader tourism experiences.

New commercial partnerships could eventually encourage more combined golf-and-leisure holiday packages, although no specific new flight routes, ticket discounts or travel offers have been confirmed.

Travellers interested in visiting Belek can explore its golf resorts alongside Antalya’s beaches, cultural attractions and hospitality experiences.

For Türkiye, hosting the anniversary edition provides an important platform to increase destination visibility and strengthen tourism relationships.

Türkiye is attracting attention from international golf tourism along with Spain, Portugal and Morocco with the IGTM 2027 being hosted by Antalya due to its world-class golf courses and luxurious resorts. The prestigious conference would bring the international travel buyers and industry leaders together at Belek from 18 to 21 October 2027. The conference in 2027 would thus celebrate the past history of IGTM as well as create future partnerships of international golf tourism.