THAILAND ’S PREMIER GOLF TOURISM BUSINESS EVENT RETURNS AFTER FOUR YEARS

The Thailand Golf Travel Mart (TGTM) 2023 marked a return after four years since it was last held in 2019. Organised by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the event took place from 4-6 September in the seaside cities of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, known for their extensive choice of world-class golf courses.

Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific said, “The TGTM 2023 is aimed to continue to strengthen Thailand’s position as a world-class destination for international golfers, offering more than 300 stunning courses all over the kingdom at low green fees and high standards.

Little wonder that Thailand has been attracting major tournaments and the world’s best-known golf players, and this is why the International Association of Golf Tour Operators or IAGTO recently named Thailand as the “Golf Destination of the Year for 2023.”

The three-day TGTM 2023 served as a centre stage for Thai golf businesses to network and discuss business opportunities with 64 golf-holiday specialists from 15 countries, including Australia (3), China (13), the Czech Republic (2), India (4), Indonesia (6), Japan (7), Malaysia (6), Oman (1), Singapore (5), South Korea (6), Sweden (1), Taiwan and UAE (3 each), and the UK and USA (2 each).

The invited golf-holiday specialists discussed business with 71 Thai exhibitors which included golf courses, golf resorts, golf schools, equipment retailers, travel agents and tour operators, hotels, spas, and other related businesses. Nine overseas media were also invited to explore Thailand’s diversity of golf courses and holidays. On the 1st and 3rd day, networking golf games were held at Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Springfield Royal Country Club in Phetchaburi, respectively.

Day 2 commenced with the opening ceremony, a brief on Thailand golf and business sessions at the Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Came evening, TAT hosted the food and festivities-themed Thai Night. TAT has been organising the Thailand Golf Travel Mart annually for five consecutive years before a four-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Previous TGTMs have been held in Hua Hin, Pattaya, Khao Yai, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Mr. Tanes said “The TGTM has been rotated all around the country ever since its inception to maximise exposure of the extensive choice of world-class golf courses known for their picturesque beauty and spectacular design, low green fees and high standards when compared with other countries.

This year, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan will be prominently featured.” Thailand’s status as a world-class golf destination is backed by numerous awards and accolades, including recent recognitions as the “Golf Destination of the Year of 2023” in the 22nd annual IAGTO Awards, and the “Best up and coming Destination for Golf Vacations” by the World Golf Travel Agents Association.