Almost 1,000 delegates came together for the fourth annual IAGTO European Convention in Málaga, making it the largest-ever gathering of golf tourism professionals for an event staged by the global golf tourism organisation.

The two-day IEC 2026 event last week, organised by IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) in partnership with the Andalucía Tourist Board, the Costa del Sol Tourist Board and Malaga City Council, attracted 983 delegates from 54 countries, representing a 26% increase over 2024, when IEC was last held in Málaga.

The convention included 348 golf tour operator delegates from 42 countries, a 31% increase compared with the previous Málaga edition.

More than 11,000 pre-scheduled business meetings took place over both days between golf tour operators and golf tourism suppliers that included golf resorts, golf courses, hotels, receptive operators and tourism boards from across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

Spain was strongly represented at IEC, accounting for 40% of all supplier delegates, with 188 Spanish golf tourism suppliers and organisations attending, including more than 80 Andalucía companies.

The UK was the largest buyer market attending IEC, accounting for 20% of all buyer delegates, followed by Germany, while Scandinavian markets represented 14% of all attending buyers. The event also attracted growing numbers of long-haul delegates, with 69 buyers from outside Europe including a 150% increase in North American buyers and 20 delegates from Asia Pacific markets.

Peter Walton, Chief Executive of IAGTO, said: “IEC has firmly established itself as the most important golf tourism trade event in Europe and Málaga has once again proven itself to be the perfect venue for the destination. 

“Our objective is always to deliver the most productive, affordable and enjoyable golf travel trade event each year, and the continued growth of the convention demonstrates both the strength of the global golf travel industry and the enduring appeal of Andalucía and the Costa del Sol as world-class golf tourism destinations.”

Walton added: “Three of the first four editions of IEC have now taken place on the Costa del Sol, and we are delighted to confirm our long-term commitment to Andalucía by returning to Málaga again in 2028, 2030 and 2032, in the same week in May each year.”

The business sessions were preceded by the IEC Golf Tournament with a record 400 delegates playing four of the region’s top courses: Golf Torrequebrada, El Chaparral, La Cala Resort’s Europa Course and Baviera Golf Club.

This year’s event included two highly-popular evening functions, the Welcome Reception at Kaleido Malaga Port, and the Farewell Dinner and After Party at Sohrlin Andalucia, a creative space established by Malaga’s most famous Hollywood son, Antonio Banderas. A 30-minute performance specially developed for IEC delegates by renowned show producer Domingo Merlin celebrated Andalucía and the Costa del Sol. 

Welcoming the event’s return, Yolanda de Aguilar, Deputy Regional Minister for Tourism and External Affairs of the Government of Andalucía, commented: “Andalucía has established itself as one of the world’s leading golf destinations thanks to a combination that is hard to match, with more than 100 courses and over 53,000 registered members. Golf tourism has the potential to generate stable employment, high-quality economic activity and opportunities throughout the entire year.”

Esperanza González, Chief Executive of the Costa del Sol Tourist Board, added: “The Costa del Sol has long been recognised as one of Europe’s premier golf destinations and IEC provides an outstanding platform to strengthen relationships with the international travel trade and generate future business opportunities for our tourism industry.”

Jacobo Florido Gómez, Councillor for Tourism and City Promotion of the Málaga City Council, was delighted that the city was again chosen to host the convention. “Málaga is honoured to welcome almost 1,000 golf tourism professionals from around the world. Events such as IEC reinforce Málaga’s reputation as a leading international destination for business events, tourism and culture,” he said.

IEC 2026 drew praise from attending golf tour operators, among them Georges Müller, CEO of Sphinx Travel, Switzerland. “As always, the event was exceptionally valuable for maintaining existing contacts and making new ones,” he enthused. “And there was plenty of fun to be had as well, which is of course just as important. It’s simply wonderful to have an organisation like IAGTO which impresses with absolute professionalism and innovation at every single event.”

During the Opening Address, Peter Walton revealed that next year’s IEC will move up the coast to the Costa Blanca city of Alicante in the Valencia region, taking place from 17-19 May 2027, before returning to Málaga the following year.

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About IAGTO

Established in 1997, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) is the global trade organization of the golf tourism industry with over 2,600 members in 93 countries including more than 800 golf tour operators in 69 countries, which are responsible for over 90% of golf vacation packages sold worldwide. IAGTO runs annual conventions in Asia, Europe and North America.

IAGTO Ltd is registered in England as a Professional Membership Organisation. Registered No. 3507678 - UK SIC 9112, 7 Whittington Mews, London, N12 8QF, United Kingdom.