ASIAN GOLF INDUSTRY FEDERATION

Plans to Promote Thailand’s ‘Hidden Golfing Gems’

Kittipong Prapattong (left) with Jon Tomlinson and Kullatorn ‘Mike’ Meesommont.

Kittipong Prapattong (left) with Jon Tomlinson and Kullatorn ‘Mike’ Meesommont.


Pattaya, Thailand: With more than 240 manicured courses, outstanding caddies and excellent value for money, Thailand remains one of the world’s prime golfing getaways.
Following the well-trodden path of their predecessors, today’s golfing tourists continue to make a bee-line for the Kingdom’s established destinations such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket.
In a new twist to its envied golf marketing campaigns, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the driving force behind promoting the country and growing the number of inbound visitors, is focusing on a new emphasis.
While the tried and trusted locations will retain their lustre, the TAT believes the time is right for golfing tourists to broaden their horizons when visiting the Land of a Thousand Smiles.
“We have some wonderful hidden gem golf courses around the country,” said Kittipong Prapattong, the TAT’s Director of Asean, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division.
Speaking at a media briefing during the 2016 Thailand Golf Travel Mart, Kittipong said the time was right to showcase a handful of the country’s less well-known golf courses and cities.
Entitled Hidden Gems, Kittipong’s presentation highlighted more than half-a-dozen venues off the beaten track.
Among the courses that he recommended were Lamphun’s Gassan Khuntan Golf and Resort; Mae Moh Golf Course in Lampang; Panurangsri Golf Club in Ratchaburi; Soi Dao Highland Golf Course in Chanthaburi and Surat Thani’s Rajjaprabra Dam Golf Course.
Kittipong described the courses as being located in ‘second and third tier cities in Thailand’.
“We would like golf tourists to Thailand to try out these courses and explore these cities,” said Kittipong, adding that all had the infrastructure and amenities to cater to golfing visitors.
Addressing tour operators, Kittipong said he would like ‘to encourage agents to come up with attractive packages’ to the second and third tier cities, explaining that more tourist arrivals would help to ‘generate revenues to these local communities’.
Other presenters at the media briefing were Kullatorn ‘Mike’ Meesommont, Managing Director of Burapha Golf & Resort and Chairman of the East Coast Golf Courses Management Association, and Jon Tomlinson, Senior Director of Operations at IMG Golf Course Management, an Executive Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.
 
 
 

Share with your Friends

View More Articles

About AGIF

The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting all facets of the golf industry across Asia. Our members and partners involved in to advance sustainable practices and drive the industry’s growth. Join us in taking the next step towards a sustainable industry.

Contact

Asian Golf Industry Federation
3 Coleman Street,
#04-35 Peninsula Shopping Complex,
Singapore 179804
Chief Communications Officer
communications@agif.asia
Greenkeeping Education Manager
pkong@agif.asia
Membership & Administration Manager
membership@agif.asia

Connect With AGIF

Copyright © 2023 Asian Golf Industry Federation.
Asian Golf Industry Federation