Asia Largest Golf Tourism Event to be Held in Thailand

Bangkok / Pattaya (Thailand) – February 20, 2013 – In just over two months’ time, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) will stage the largest ever golf tourism convention to take place in the Asia-Pacific region, in the Award winning golf destination of Pattaya.

IAGTO’s 2nd Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) will take place at the Royal Cliff Hotel and PEACH Convention Centre from 29 April to 2 May 2013. IAGTO’s president, Peter Walton, was in Bangkok at the Siam@Siam Hotel to announce that already 142 golf tour operators from 36 countries had confirmed their attendance. These buyers are coming from China, Malaysia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, India, Australia, Europe, North America and from as far afield as South Africa, Argentina and Brazil.

Walton said: “With more than 150 accredited buyers expected to attend, all promoting and selling golf destinations in Asia, this is without doubt a great opportunity for Thai hotels, golf resorts, golf courses and regional golf destinations around the country to meet, discuss and do business for the coming season. Already 45 Thai golf tourism suppliers have signed up to attend and we currently have capacity for 60 in total out of a total of 180 supplier companies from 18 countries in the Asia Pacific region. A total of 500 delegates are expected to attend AGTC this year.”

Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, and its Thailand division already has 70 member companies, making it a truly representative body for Thailand’s golf tourism industry. All Thai companies attending the AGTC for the first time are automatically provided with IAGTO membership for 2013.

Walton added: “IAGTO works 365 days a year to support and provide services for its members and the AGTC is just one of the many activities that we carry out during the year. All hotels, golf resorts, golf courses and licensed receptive operators who work in Thailand’s golf tourism industry, whichever markets they focus on, should consider becoming a member of IAGTO. We expect our Thailand division to soon increase to over 100 company members.”

IAGTO takes over 400 golf tour operators on fam trips to 35 countries every year and the Tourism Authority of Thailand will be hosting 80 buyers and media on inspection trips in Pattaya in pre- and post-AGTC familiarisation tours.

Commenting on the benefits that golf tourism brings to Thailand, Walton said: “On average, golf travellers spend 120% more per person per day in destination than general leisure travellers. This is more than double and therefore golf travel is without doubt High Revenue-Low Impact tourism sector. With over 60 million golfers worldwide and some 25% of regular golfers take a golf holiday each year, golf travellers are influential in other sectors of the economy including Luxury Travel, Meetings & Incentive Events and Real Estate sales.” He then added: “So golf tourism is much more than a niche market for Thailand.”

Walton also remarket on the important role that Thailand plays at the heart of the ASEAN Economic Community, adding: “All countries of AEC are important golf destinations and golf markets, and within this region Thailand is the leader in terms of golf tourism and therefore having AGTC in Thailand is a pivotal event for the countries of the ASEAN region.”

Walton expressed his personal thanks to the organisations in Thailand that have been responsible for bringing the AGTC to Thailand, including Pattaya City, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, Chonburi Provincial Administration Organization and the East Coast Golf Association.

For further information, please visit: www.iagto.com/AGTC

IAGTO Head Office:
1 Trafalgar House,
London NW7 3SA
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 8906 3377
Email: info@iagto.com
Web: www.iagto.com

IAGTO Thailand Representative:
George Somapa at gsomapa@iagto.com