Thailand wins major tourism award

[doghaus 4]

I am delighted to let all the FLB Golfers know that Thailand has won a top tourism award. The award was presented by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators on Thursday night in Gran Canaria in front of over 1000 delegates and the golfing and Spanish media. There should be a feature going out on The Golf Channel in Asia very soon. I will keep you posted when I have transmission dates. The award was accepted by our friend Jeremy Paulson on behalf of the Thai government and yours truly was there to hold his jacket.

 

This should be a major boost for golf tourism in Thailand so get your tee times booked early.

 

I will post a few pictures of JP with the award as soon as I get time. The bad news is that he lost his luggage somewhere between Las Palmas and Washington so the trophy is missing in action! Now where have we heard about trophies going missing before. I wonder if Deuce has a relation working in the Las Palmas baggage handling!

 

Here's a copy of the press release. More information at IAGTO website

 

Thailand voted Emerging Golf Destination of the Year

 

Contact:

Callum Mackie - Solar Golf Ltd

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1628 415635

Fax: +44 1628 415636

Email: callum@solargolf.co.uk

 

 

Thailand was recognised tonight by the global golf tourism industry as the Emerging Golf Destination of the Year, voted for by IAGTO’s specialist golf tour operators. The presentation was made during the 6th IAGTO Award Ceremony that took place in Gran Canaria on 8th December in front of an audience of 1000 golf tourism professionals from 45 countries.

 

The Ceremony takes place each year on the last night of the International Golf Travel Market; the global trade show for the golf tourism industry. This year the IAGTO Awards were staged in the spectacular 16th century Santa Ana Plaza in the Gran Canarian capital of Las Palmas.

 

On receiving the Award, Jeremy Paulson, the Golf Ambassador for the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said "Over the last 10 years Thailand has established itself as the top Destination in Asia for golf. Thailand is very proud and honoured to have been awarded the Emerging Golf destination of the year by IAGTO. We thank all of the tour operators who voted for our country and we look forward to welcoming the world’s golfers to Thailand."

 

Golf has been played in Thailand for almost a century with games recorded at the Royal Bangkok Sports Club as early as 1905. The first recognised 18-hole course, the Royal Hua Hin, was built by a Scottish engineer in 1924. There are now nearly 200 golf courses scattered throughout the Kingdom, the majority being around the most popular tourist destinations - Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin, Phuket and Chiang Mai. Thailand’s stunning courses are designed by famous names like Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, Gary Player, Greg Norman, Pete Dye and the legendary Robert Trent Jones. These are some of the most attractive courses in the world with excellent facilities, memorable signature holes and modern maintenance.

 

Every course has its caddies and it is mandatory to employ one for your round. They are Thailand’s secret weapons for making golf such good fun. Predominantly ladies, these brightly uniformed caddies know everything about the course, smile almost all the time and can read putts like a pro. The combination of incredibly picturesque golf courses, favourable year-round weather, great value for money and inimitable Thai hospitality combine to make Thailand an amazing golf paradise.

 

Notes for Editors:

The awards are voted for by IAGTO's specialist golf tour operator members which now number over 240 from 38 different countries. Each operator was asked to nominate what they considered to be the best performing golf destinations this year. The following criteria are considered:

 

 

Customer Satisfaction

Quality of Golf Courses and Accommodation

Value for money

Support from Suppliers, Tourist Boards & Airlines

Professional Conduct of Suppliers

Accessibility to Tee Times

 

 

The top 10 nominees for this year's Award were, in alphabetical order:

 

British Columbia, Canada

Canary Islands, Spain

China

Costa de la Luz, Spain

Costa Rica

Cyprus

Malaysia

Mexico

Thailand

Turkey

 

 

Previous Emerging Golf Destination of the Year Award winners are:

2001 - Costa Brava

2002 - Dubai

2003 - South Africa

2004 - Italy

2005 - Las Vegas, USA

 

END.

8th December 2005

 

 

Further Information:

 

Carlton Carugati - General Manager

IAGTO, 1 Trafalgar House, Grenville Place,

London NW7 3SA, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0) 20 8906 3377

Fax: +44 (0) 20 8906 8181

Email: ccarugati@iagto.com

Website: www.iagto.com/awards

 

Media Contact for information about golf in Thailand

 

Callum Mackie

Solar Golf Ltd

United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1628 415635

Fax: +44 1628 415636

Email: callum@solargolf.co.uk

[ROCKO76 0]

Golf is one of the things that draws me to LOS. I have played many a course here in the States, but to go and have the privilige of playing many of the top-notch courses in the general Pattaya area is something of a golfers dream. These courses in Thailand are designed by the greats of golf...If you are a golfer who wouldn't want play these courses, I know I am in a matter of 45 days!!!

[Dungheap 243]

Good news daddy!

 

Solar did a great job of running the November golf program, although the chairman needs to practice a bit more.

 

Hard to beat Thailand as a golf destination: perfect climate, great variety of courses, unbeatable prices and cute caddies.

 

If only I could get there a bit more. In time mate ...