In the words of Runjuan Tongrut, Director, New Delhi Office, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), ‘Book a golf holiday tour in Thailand and you will know why Thailand has emerged as one of the leading golfing destinations in the world’. Today, Thailand attracts close to 600,000 golfers from across the world every year to its 200-odd golf courses.
Tongrut particularly highlighted that golfing mixed with wellness and meditation has been extremely successful. The concept has been very well received. Meditation is a great way to develop concentration which is very important for golfers, she opined. Besides, the Thai caddies do not just assist with golfing. “When you are really tired they can give you a massage, and if you are new to golf they can even show you how to hit the ball. All of this, combined with value-for-money deals and the famous Thai hospitality, makes for an unbeatable combination,” she insisted.
According to Tongrut, Thailand’s golfing source markets are equally diverse with golfers thronging right from the Scandinavian countries, to France, the UK, Japan, Korea, China and the ASEAN region. She pointed beautifully designed and high standard golf courses, professional caddies, Thai hospitality, and value-for-money, as some of Thailand’s golfing USPs.
Thailand has continued to be the most popular overseas holiday destination amongst the Indian travellers in the last three years, evolving from a mere ‘sun and sand’ destination a few years ago, to a destination that can cater to all kinds of travellers, including family holiday makers, MICE and more niche segments such as wedding and celebrations, honeymoons, and golfing retreats. Riding on its focussed and aggressive marketing strategies in India, Thailand has overtaken one destination after another, emerging as the number one outbound destination for Indian travellers in 2011.
Sharing details on TAT’s golfing related marketing initiatives in India, Tongrut informed, “The first thing that we do is invite Indian golfers to tee off in Thailand and experience Thailand as a golfing destination first-hand. We join hands with golf clubs all over India to promote golfing in Thailand to their members. We also organise Golfing exhibitions. This is backed by online and offline advertising campaigns to further build awareness on Thailand as a golfing destination.”
TAT is also working very closely with travel trade in India to promote golf in Thailand. The destination also organises familiarisation tours for golf media and travel agents specialising in golf packages and tours. Furthermore, TAT participates at the Asian Golf Exhibition, an annual event, to showcase its various golfing activities and products.
