New Zealand Top Golf Destination for 2009
20 November 2008
New Zealand has been voted ‘Golf Destination of the Year 2009’ for the Asia and
Australasia region by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton said; “It’s a great achievement because this
is not just about great golf courses but also how the destination works with operators
and their client’s satisfaction with the destination. It also rewards a progression
from a relatively unknown golf destination in global terms to one that is appreciated
worldwide.”
The selection for winning destinations is made through votes cast by over 300 golf
tour operators from 45 countries. Each operator was asked to nominate what they
considered to be the best performing golf destinations this year enjoyed by their
golf travelling clients. The top four finalists were Australia, China, New Zealand
and Thailand.
New Zealander Phil Leishman was Master of Ceremonies for the awards which took place
on the last night of the International Golf Travel Market on 20th November at the
Estepona Congress Palace in Andalucia, Spain in front of an audience of industry
professionals. The event was widely covered by CNN International, ESPN Star Sports
Asia, the Golf Channel, The UBS Golf Club as well as widespread print and web coverage.
In receiving the award The Best of Golf New Zealand’s Philippa King said;
“The tour operators have made a great choice. New Zealand has some fantastic courses
and in the past 7 years we have been working hard to achieve even higher standards
to provide an outstanding golf experience for visitors to New Zealand. Some will
come and play all the top courses, others will have only one round or two during
their vacation, but we are confident they all go back home richer for the experience,
satisfied not only with the golf courses but having enjoyed more of what the country
has to offer – fabulous scenery, Maori culture, sport, soft adventure activities
and of course friendly people.”
In 2001 New Zealand was voted IAGTO’s ‘Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year’
by the association’s golf travel writers.
About The Best of Golf New Zealand
The Best of Golf New Zealand is operated by the NZ Golf Tourism Cluster Inc, a tourism
marketing network. Primary members of the group are Carrington Resort, Gulf Harbour
Country Club, Wairakei International Golf Course, Lakes Resort, Terrace Downs High
Country Resort, Millbrook Resort and Jack’s Point.
New Zealand has two World Top 50 ranked courses, Kauri Cliffs and Cape Kidnappers.
The Best of Golf New Zealand has 23 associate members including the NZ Golf Association
and the PGA of NZ as well as selected tourism product providers.
Visit www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com
for information, rates, tour itineraries, real estate offerings and events.
Contact:
Philippa King - Best of Golf New Zealand
pip@bestofgolfnewzealand.com
Tel: +64 272 203060
Geoff Burns - Best of Golf New Zealand
geoff@bestofgolfnewzealand.com
Tel: +64 274 582832
www.bestofgolfnewzealand.com
New Zealand
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Peter Walton, Chief Executive - IAGTO
Philippa King, Communications and Trade Manager - The Best of Golf New Zealand
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New Zealand
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Peter Walton, Chief Executive - IAGTO
Philippa King, Communications and Trade Manager - The Best of Golf New Zealand
Phil Leishman, Awards MC and Presenter of TV’s The Golf Club
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ENDS
20th November 2008