Golf Tourism in Thailand projected to soar up to $2-billion industry in 2012 – Golf news
Golf tourism in Thailand is all set to surge to an unprecedented $2-billion industry in the coming year as tourism experts of the country are hoping to capitalise on the European and Australian tourists who throng the serene beaches of the south-eastern
nation.
Tourism Authority of Thailand is contemplating an influx of 19-million tourists in 2012, with some three percent of the ratio, a whooping 600,000, who will be eager to play on the tropical courses of Bangkok, Phuket, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
Mark Siegel, owner of the Golfasian, one of the leading golf tourism operators in the country, expects the industry to grow tremendously in the coming year and estimates each tourist would spend some $US 3,300 on the course, which is three times more than
what an average tourist usually spends on their visit.
He said, “It could be our best season ever. The political situation is calm, there have been no natural disasters [elsewhere] to deter tourism, and Thailand’s cultural capability to attract tourists remains streets ahead of other markets.”
Thailand is also one of the leading countries in the sport after their south-eastern neighbour, South Korea, and has produced some of the finest players in the past. It is also home to some renowned academies of golf where several top ranking players participate
in workshops throughout the year. 2011 has been one of the most successful years so far, as some 500,000 tourists decided to indulge in the sport, spending a massive $US 1.9-billion.
Golf in a Kingdom: The Thai Golf Experience, a co-operative marketing group which owns and operates a chain of luxurious hotels and resorts across the country, is anticipating a bumper season from November, 2011 to March, 2012. Most European tourists visit
Thailand in winters when the weather in their home countries is harsh and cold, while Australasian tourists normally visit during the summers when they have winters in their continent.
Prasertchai Phornprapha, managing director of Siam Country Club near Pattaya, said, “There has been a dramatic improvement [in bookings]. When there is peace in Thailand it is the destination of choice because of its culture and value for money.”
Thailand has recently soared to become the top destination for golf tourism after Spain and boosts some 260 international standard golf courses. The country has been constantly receiving high ratings from travel and tourism magazines in the world and was
bestowed with two more awards in the present year.
Travel & Leisure Magazine in United States voted Bangkok as the best city in the world, while the country itself was nominated to be the fourth best country to visit. The poll on both occasions was primarily based on reader’s output. The tropical paradise,
Phuket, with its emerald green beaches, is the world’s tenth best island destination, according to UK magazine, Condé Nast Traveller.s
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