Dubai , 16 August, 2015 –
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), has organised the Thailand
Golf Travel Mart 2015 between 4-6 August , 2015, at the Dusit Thani Hua
Hin Hotel. The Mart is designed to attract more golfers to Thailand and
underscore the Kingdom’s rapidly growing popularity as a world-class
golfing destination.
TAT will now be
promoting the kingdom as a “Quality Leisure Destination through
Thainess.” Because it fits in perfectly with that objective, golfing has
been identified as one of the priority niche markets. It is also in
line with the TAT’s policy to promote travel and tourism to the
provinces and disseminate tourism revenue nationwide.
For this event, TAT
has invited 153 specialist golf-holiday buyers from 27 TAT overseas
offices to meet with 95 sellers at the Mart including golf courses and
service providers like golf schools, equipment retailers, Thai travel
agents and tour operators, hotels, spa operators and other related
businesses. 43 media are also invited to explore the event.
The Mart is an
excellent opportunity for buyers and media to familiarise themselves
with Thailand’s world-class golf courses, network with sellers and check
out support facilities.
Thailand boasts more
than 200 world-class golf courses, many of which are immaculately
designed by internationally famous architects.
Mrs. Juthaporn
Rerngronasa, TAT Acting Governor and Deputy Governor for International
Marketing (Europe, Africa, Middle East and Americas) said, “Golfers can
enjoy their game and have a holiday at the same time. Challenging and
exciting courses staffed by well-trained and courteous Thai caddies are
the reasons why Thailand is such a popular choice of golf enthusiasts,
especially from Japan, Korea, Europe and increasingly, India and China.
“We also have
attractive green fees that offer great value for money, excellent
clubhouse facilities serving delicious Thai cuisine, as well as good
challenging holes in an exotic tropical environment. Courses can be
played on all year round. Furthermore, we have facilities for post-game
relaxation; such as, health spas and traditional massage.”
Many Thai golf courses
and destinations are winning global awards. Pattaya and Hua Hin were
voted as the Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australia by the
IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) in 2012 and
2014, respectively.
In 2013, approximately
700,000 visitors came to Thailand either specifically to play golf or
did so as part of a wider package of leisure activities generating an
estimated 10 billion Baht in revenue.
Visitor arrivals to
Thailand totalled 12.4 million between January-May 2015, up 25% over the
same period of 2014. They generated 592.9 billion Baht in tourism
income, up 25.13%. In 2015, TAT is projecting 28.8 million international
visitors, generating around 1.4 trillion Baht in tourism revenue