INVgolf / 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference & Exhibition

...in co-operation with:

...under the auspices of:

INVgolf CD Rom

- The INVgolf CD Rom: A 'must-have' English-language resource for the pan-European golf, real estate, hospitality, entertainment, residential tourism and leisure industries...

Intelligence report

- INV International Ltd. would like to invite you to share your views, ideas and vision in the INVgolf Industry Intelligence Report

Investment opportunities

- INVgolf CD Rom
- First-class golf course investment opportunity in Italy

Company profiles

- EMAAR Properties PJSC
- Matrix Golf Ltd.
- Loyalward Group PLC
- TAIWEI-Europe bvba / TAIWEI - MINGSHI Golf Management Ltd.

News you can use

- Controversial Black Sea golf resort back on track, say developers: The new Dublin-based developers of the controversial Pomorie Golf & Beach resort in Bulgaria have said that 75% of the project will be completed by next summer, as quoted by The Sunday Business Post, Ireland's financial, political and economic newspaper.

EMAAR Properties PJSC unveils The Desert Course at Arabian Ranches:
The Desert Course at Arabian Ranches opened its doors on February 1st, 2004 to the golfing public. The "pay-and-play" course, designed by Ian Baker-Finch in association with Nicklaus Design, is a unique concept in the epicentre of the Arabian Ranches, another landmark development for Dubai, consisting of residential properties with leisure activities including golf and equestrian...

- Golf craze hits Cyprus: 3 new 18-hole courses planned:
The golf craze sweeping Cyprus continues, with plans underway for the development of three more, 18-hole golf courses in the districts of Limassol (Pentakomo), Larnaca (Oroklini) and Famagusta (Ayia Napa) by consortia of local authorities and hoteliers, according to Mr. Photis Photiou, Chairman of the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (Financial Mirror)

Golf courses and golf resorts in Turkey:
"In Turkey most golf courses are in the vicinity of tourist resorts, around the coastal regions which have the necessary facilities like accommodation, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, etc. Especially in the area of Belek, 30 km. east of Antalya, there is a big potential for golf tourism with the bonus of the cultural, historical and natural sightseeing of the region. There are five golf facilities already operating in Belek. Properties of golf facilities in Belek are as follows...

- Conference organisers award Cyprus' Aphrodite Hills resort in Athens: The first integrated golf, leisure and real estate development in Cyprus receives the award for the 'Best New Integrated Leisure Resort in Europe 2003' in Athens

- Bulgaria ready to flex its golfing muscles:
Although Bulgaria currently boasts only one course, there are three major projects due to come on stream soon and many other positive indicators. Bulgaria is now going forward, both economically and politically. Projects in the pipeline include a basic Pay-As-You-Play course, a Family Golf Centre, and an up-market Country Club. The Black Sea has great potential for golf tourism. One of the projects there is the purchase of some 500 acres with a stunning cliff top location and a Resort comprising Country Club, Championship standard 18-hole course and a Coaching Centre. Construction will begin on THE FIRST Black Sea site around June 2004.

[more news you can use...]

What some of the industry leaders say...

- "This conference is a must for anyone involved in the golf resort/real estate development business. A great information and networking opportunity. The resort golf industry is still just in its infancy in Europe with massive potential for growth. In my view such a conference can directly help realise that growth in the golf development industry in Europe." -- Paul Dellanzo, Vice President of European Operations, Troon Golf

- "I'm very honoured to participate to this great event which combines golf and vacation ownership. The timing couldn't be more appropriate and the subject as well as both industries are currently living an incredible growth in popularity. Golfing is already a consistent part of the vacation ownership offer and a fast growing portion of RCI's 3.3 million world-wide timeshare owners are searching and demanding for accommodations which merges the desire of vacationing with the pleasure of golfing." -- Fabio Locatello, , VP & Regional Managing Director - Southern Eastern Europe, RCI (a Cendant Company)

- "I am very pleased and proud to represent the European Institute of Golf Course Architects at the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference. Golf courses combined with real estate projects are a controversial subject in the majority of Europe and the dogged resistance and complicated procedures required to obtain building permits can be quite draconian. Obviously the protection and enhancement of the environment and the harmonious integration of the real estate and golf course into the surrounding landscape is of prime importance. The timing and significance of this conference is vital and could not have happened at a better time as it seeks to address some of the most important and contentious issues which will hopefully minimise and clarify the many erroneous misconceptions surrounding such developments." - Peter Harradine, President, European Institute of Golf Course Architects (EIGCA)

"Golf is one of those land-uses that should be labelled 'handle with care'. It has a considerable amount to offer the developer, but needs to be thoroughly understood, from both a physical planning and economic perspective. Done well, golf has the potential to raise a multi-component project well above the sum of its parts, but can just as easily place a heavy burden on a resort's consolidated performance. I am therefore delighted that this conference is being held to explore some of the key issues that developers, investors and operators need to consider." -- Ben Martin, Senior Associate, Economics Research Associates (ERA), London

- "Golf business is people business. You need to know the market and to keep the golfing customer satisfied in order to make your golf course profitable. The 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference & Exhibition in Athens is THE meeting place decision-makers in the European golf industry cannot afford to miss." -- Dr. Falk Billion, independent golf course appraiser and co-founder & Managing Director, German Golf Course Owners Association, Germany

- "This conference has impeccable timing for the vacation ownership / timeshare industry. Golf is recognised as a key component in many vacation ownership developments and some of the leading golf courses in Europe either have or are actively considering adding a timeshare element to their resort. Vacation ownership as an alternative to owning a second home is increasing in popularity and the provision of first class golf facilities is one of the preferred vacation activities for Interval International's 1.5 million timeshare owning member families around the world." -- Lyssandros Papatheofilou, Regional Director, Greece and Cyprus, Interval International, United Kingdom

- "As the leading pan-European golf trade publication, Golf Management Europe is delighted to have been appointed as official communications sponsors for the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference. We anticipate that the two-day event will bring some of Europe's leading industry figures together, and help to fast-track golf development throughout the continent. The real estate sector is one that has yet to be fully realised within Europe -- especially in the UK... I anticipate that at least 20 per cent of all new courses constructed across Europe will involve some degree of real estate, and provided that the courses and property are designed in total harmony with one another, support the concept totally." -- Michael Lenihan, Publisher, Golf Management Europe magazine, United Kingdom

- "We are delighted to take part in the 2003 European GOLF Investment and Real Estate Conference in Athens this November. As Troon Golf continues to expand into additional European countries, we value these opportunities to meet key contacts within the development community. In our view, there are several countries, particularly in Southern Europe, that remain on the periphery with regards to golf tourism and golf real estate investment. The golf market in Europe is maturing and the demand for golf as a lifestyle is ever increasing.." -- Dana R. Garmany, Chairman and CEO, Troon Golf, USA

- "I am delighted that this conference has a focus on emerging golf markets. Mainly due to the fact that golf as a sport was banned during the socialist time, most of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have a very low level penetration of the game. Golf has only had the chance to properly develop after 1989. However, KPMG continuous research confirms that as a result of the rises in disposable income, golf is forecasted to experience continued growth in CEE." -- Dr. Andrea Sartori, Partner, KPMG Travel, Leisure and Tourism Group CEE, Hungary

"Turkey is on the way of becoming a renown golf centre where players from around the world can meet in an environment full of cultural, historical and natural beauties. This Conference in Athens is organised in such a time that exactly matches the new wave of investments which we expect to start." -- Oktay Varlier, Chairman, Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TYD)