Slovenia hopes to position itself on the global golfing map, especially by making an impression on golf travel organisers which generate about 80% of revenue in global golf tourism.

The event will be covered by more than 40 media outlets specialising in golf, according to Maja Pak, the head of Slovenian Tourist Board (STO).

Running until Thursday, the event will take place at the Gospodarsko Razstavišče fairgrounds and the Cankarjev Dom convention centre.

A group of about 120 participants spent the days leading up to the event touring golf courses in Slovenia, Austria, Croatia and Italy and enjoying local cuisine.

In the short-term IGTM participants are expected to create at least 1,500 overnights in the capital, according to Petra Stušek, the boss of Visit Ljubljana, the city's tourism service.

But long-term benefits are substantial, as golfers typically spend about EUR 200 a day, four times the average tourist.