Good news as the Lot Chamber of Commerce is working hard to promote the region and the new Brive airport.

One weekend in May they invited a contingent of British tour operators to try the new CityJet route from London, and to sample some of the region's attractions - including some famous Cahors wine. Afterwards, a workshop with local businesses encouraged more visits to the area.

From all accounts, it was a great success. Click the image and see if you can spot the representative from SGCC. (There's a clue in the English version of the article, below.)

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Only a month after announcing the extension of CityJet flights from Brive Dordogne Valley to London City airport, Jean-Louis Nesti, president of the Syndicat Mixte of Brive Dordogne Valley airport, confirmed that 2010 bookings for flights to and from the new airport had far exceeded expectations and that a second UK destination has been added for 2011: Manchester.

The route will be serviced by popular low cost airline Jet2, on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 21st May and 24th September 2011. One way flights are offered from as little as € 39.99, including airport taxes and 22 kg bag allowance. Reservations can be made now (click image for Jet2 website).

Jean-Louis Nesti and Dany Blanchet, director of the airport, confirmed they are very pleased with the new collaboration and the performance of the airport. Other destinations, including Dublin and a central airport for the Benelux countries, are being considered. “In the current economic climate, it is really the airlines that decide,” said Jean-Louis Nesti, adding that he considered it a victory for the new Brive Dordogne Valley airport to have secured collaboration with a major UK carrier connecting to another important international hub.

General Director of Jet2.com, Ian Doubtfire said Jet2 is, "delighted to launch this new route linking the very beautiful airport of Brive Dordogne Valley to the fabulous city of Manchester.".

Find out more and book your flights on the Jet2 website.

Local mayor Ernest Maury is a major supporter of the Club and regular visitor. On 5th August he brought Gourdon's new sous-préfet, Denis Chabert, and members of the local council to enjoy a meal at the restaurant, meet Ludovic Hanks, and introduce the Club. (Click image to enlarge.)

Mr Chabert enjoyed his visit very much and promised to come back to play tennis with his wife, adding that he might even dig out his 7-iron for a round of golf!

Journalists from five UK travel publications visited SGCC including London's Metro, Essex Chronicle, The Wharf, Travelbite, and Running in Heels. The visit was organised by CityJet's press agency and Chris von Koettliz.

As you can see from the photos, the group was impressed by the Club and clearly enjoyed Ludo's company (click image to enlarge). Click here to see the online offer from Travelbite.

• Sunday 20th June the Club took part in the Angeltraders Anglo-French trade fair at Château Sedières. SGCC hosted this show in our restaurant at the end of March with more than 300 attendees. (Click images to enlarge)
  
  Gites and small hotels in the area are eager to offer their clients the opportunity to visit one of the best golf courses in the region. Château Sedières is approximately one hour from the club and regularly stages events – music, circus, theatre, and markets. Visit their website to find out more. (French)

• Week long Golf & Wine breaks appeal to the bon vivants
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• Music evenings with Jazzpot and Père Igor during July and August 2010

James Villa Holidays, the biggest villa tour operator in the UK, visited SGCC with a viwe to expanding to the resort market, especially in France.

James Villas take health and safety regulations very seriously and checked the site extensively, especially the communal areas and swimming pools. They were delighted with the quality of the club and the overall level of health and safety applied. They had some minor suggestions which we are putting in place (smoke alarms, fireblanket fire extinguishers in every house, depth marking on the pools, etc.).

James Villas are actively promoting the club with an excellent recommendation on their website.

SGCC has been a member of IAGTO (International Organisation of Golf Tour Operators) for some time. IAGTO have now put in place a special representative to put France on the map as a golfing destination.

IAGTO is particularly interested in our area because of the presence of some proactive golf courses and resorts (namely Golf en Limousin and SGCC) and the opening of the new Brive airport next year.

IAGTO is also very interested motivating the tourism industry to take a more active role in the promotion of golf, and SGCC is working closely with their representative. Among other advantages, collaboration with IAGTO and local and regional tourist organisations allows SGCC to arrange significant press trips to the area at low or no cost. (Click the logo to visit their website.)

Together with Golf de Porcelaine and Golf de Lolivarie, SGCC has launched a golf pass for this region. Although initially the pass will only cover these 3 clubs, the idea is to quickly involve other clubs in the region so that it is well established when Brive airport opens.

As many golfers like to play more than one course, this enables us to have another golf break product that meets our clients' requirements. The website www.golfpasscoeurdefrance.com will be available soon. We'll have an update as it progresses.

Information about local golf courses can be found on the Local Courses page.