Are you a golfer? These are the winners for the Golf Destination of the Year 2013

Tony Jacklin honoured for services to golf

Tony Jacklin, the most successful Ryder Cup Captain in history, was honoured at the 12th annual IAGTO awards ceremony, marking the conclusion of the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) 2012, held in the Algarve, Portugal.

Jacklin was guest of honour at the gala dinner, staged at the Tivoli Marina Hotel, Vilamoura, which brought the curtain down on the most successful IGTM to date, which saw almost 13,000 delegates from 47 countries visit the Algarve from November 12-15, 2012.

The glittering awards ceremony celebrated the best performing golf destinations from across the globe, including Dubai, Vietnam and the Dominican Republic.

The Supplier of the Year accolade was awarded to Onyria Resorts, owner of Quinta Marinha, Cascais and Palmares in the Algarve itself, while Terre Blanche Resort, France, Marriott Sawgrass, Florida and Mazagan Resort, Morocco, also received awards for Golf Resort of the Year.

Peter Grimster, Exhibition Manager at Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: "IGTM provides an accurate representation of the golf travel industry's performance and its future prospects.

"This year we have seen record numbers of scheduled appointments and with figures increasing year on year, IGTM continues to be a platform not only to celebrate successes but to create opportunities for future achievement within the industry."

Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO, added: "More than 450 golf tour operators from 59 different countries cast their votes for these prestigious awards, taking into account many important factors including customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodation, value for money and support from the local tourism industry.

"The awards highlight the strength within the golf travel industry - celebrating successes and encouraging destinations across the world to help their industry to grow."

The 2013 winners are:

Golf Destination of the Year:
• Europe - Gran Canaria
• Asia and Australasia - Vietnam
• North America - Monterey County
• South America and Caribbean - Dominican Republic
• Africa and Middle East - Dubai
Golf Resort of the Year
• Resort Europe - Terre Blanche Resort, France
• North America - Marriott Sawgrass, Florida
• Rest of the World - Mazagan Resort, Morocco
IAGTO Supplier of the Year
• Onyria Resorts
IAGTO Honorary Award
• Tony Jacklin