Proud to represent East Africa at IAGTO
Vipingo Ridge was one of members of IAGTO that attended the recent important networking event in Spain, bringing together the global golf community.
IAGTO describes itself as ‘the Global Golf Tourism Organisation’ and has been trading for 27 years. On the 19th to 21st May 2025, its European Convention, the ‘IEC’ was held in Gran Canaria in Spain.
The convention provided an opportunity for Vipingo Ridge to align with global partners and stay abreast of industry trends, ensuring its offerings meet the evolving expectations of the international golf tourism market
The IEC is a premier event in the golf tourism industry, bringing together over 800 delegates, including golf tour operators, tourism suppliers, and destination representatives from Europe, Africa, and the Gulf States. The convention features two days of pre-scheduled meetings, allowing participants to establish new business relationships and strengthen existing ones
Vipingo Ridge: Member of IAGTO - International Association of Golf Tour Operators
Vipingo Ridge, Africa’s only UK PGA-branded golf course, Kenya’s Best Golf Resort and recently gold rated in two tourism audits, was in attendance, representing Kilifi County and Kenya’s golf market as a key player in the global golf tourism community.
IAGTO has almost 2500 members globally, including 723 golf tour operators. These tour operators are responsible for over 90% of international golf vacation packages sold worldwide, making the networking opportunity at the IEC particularly engaging event for the Kenya golf market.
Kenya is recognised as the second most mature golf market in Africa, after South Africa, with many Tour Operators confident in this as a new European winter golf destination. Indeed, already Vipingo Ridge has seen an increase in engagement from many golf markets, including Austria, Estonia, Iceland, Netherlands and Sweden who have all booked trips in the next 12 months.
In addition we have seen engagemen from a wider global audience, with groups from America, Australia and Canada all booking golf trips with Vipingo Ridge in late 2025 and 2026.
More locally, the partnership with Uganda Tourism continues, and Kilifi County represented this week at the Pearl of Africa Tourism Expo (POATE) where Vipingo Ridge was well noted as a premier tourism destination as a ‘golf showcase’ and wedding and honeymoon destination.
Attending IAGTO European Convention in Gran Canaria
Vipingo Ridge’s Resort Manager and PGA Professional David Marsh was in attendance at the event representing the PGA Baobab Course. The IEC comprised of learning sessions on global and regional golf market insights, pre-agreed appointments with Tour Operations (TOs), Destination Marketing Companies (DMCs) as well as wider networking opportunities.
Vipingo Ridge was selected for 36 meetings during the IEC (the average requested meetings were 26 per company) marking the interest in the Kenya golf market from Tour Operators from across the world.
36 Productive Meetings and Promoting Kenya Golf Tourism
By attending the IEC, Vipingo Ridge sought to promote its 18-hole championship PGA Baobab Course, luxurious accommodations, and diverse activities such as wildlife safaris, marine conservation experiences, and cultural events.
This strategic participation aimed to attract more international golfers and tourists to Kenya's coast, positioning Vipingo Ridge as a top-tier golf and lifestyle destination.
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