Golf tourism in Thailand gets a fillip with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) organising the fifth Thailand Golf Travel Mart (TGTM) 2019 at Chiang Mai. The 4-day event kicked off from yesterday in the kingdom’s Northern capital as part of an ongoing strategy of TAT to further develop a very important source of high-spending, long-staying customer segment. 

 

 

 

 

 

The event has attracted a contingent of 116 top golf tour operators from 24 countries, the top five of whom are from China (22), Japan (17), India (9), South Korea (8), Singapore (7). To broaden the exposure of Thailand’s golfing attractions, TAT has carefully screened and invited 59 first-time buyers, especially from new markets; such as, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Portugal and Sweden.

 

 

Amongst the 97 Thai exhibitors, mainly representatives of Thailand’s stunning golf courses and resorts, 37 are from the Central Region, 23 from the East, 22 from the North, 10 from the South and 5 from the Northeast. They include 39 first-time sellers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Opening Ceremony and Thailand Golf Briefing plus Panel Discussion was held on August 6^th while the welcome reception was held in the evening of 7 August 2019. The Networking Golf Tournament will be held on 9 August 2019.

 

 

 

The topic of the panel discussion is “Thailand beyond a Premier Golf Destination” featuring Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for Marketing and Communications, Mr. Thongchai Jaidee, a Thai professional golfer and Mr. David Rollo, Vice President, Golf – IMG Events.

 

 

The previous four TGTMs have been held in Hua Hin, Pattaya, Khao Yai and Phuket to highlight the geographical and professional diversity of the kingdom’s leading sports tourism sector. Chiang Mai, the city known as the Rose of the North, is a very important golfing destination with international standard golfing facilities set amidst the backdrop of picturesque natural landscapes, rich history, and culture of the Northern region.

 

 

As with other specialist niche-market travel events, the TGTM will be carefully monitored to ensure that TAT remains abreast of global trends and delivers the right product to the right buyers.

 

Mr. Chattan said, “With every passing year, Thailand faces increasing competition for the tourist dollar on the global stage. We are looking forward to networking with the buyers and listening to their feedback on how we can best maximise opportunities for both of us.”

 

(TAT Press Release)