Golfasian, South-East Asia’s leading dedicated golf tourism operator, has rejoined the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) after a two-year absence.
The move comes at an important time for the company and golf tourism in Asia, the world’s fastest-growing market for travelling golfers. More than one million golfers are expected to travel to and within Asia in 2015, with Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and China leading the high level of activity.
Established in 1997, Golfasian was named last November as Asia’s best golf tour operator at the inaugural World Golf Awards in Algarve, Portugal. The worldwide voting process included industry experts, senior executives and professionals from the golf, travel, and tourism industries.
Golfasian’s managing director, Mark Siegel (pictured), says the company has hosted 67,000 golfers and worked with 450 golf tour operators since its inception.
“We are pleased to be part of IAGTO again,” he adds. “We have several IAGTO-related activities planned in 2015, including a high-end Vietnam FAM trip and exhibiting at the Asian Golf Tourism Convention in Jakarta in April.
“Golfasian will reach out to fellow IAGTO members through our Asian Golf Tour Operator newsletter and regular updates on product promotions. These vehicles enable communication about the latest news in the industry and keeps tour operators informed of course conditions and new developments in Asia.”
IAGTO managing director, Peter Walton, says Golfasian is rejoining IAGTO at the beginning of an expected record-breaking year for the London-based organisation and golf tourism worldwide.
“On January 1 IAGTO reached 2250 member companies in 98 countries for the first time and its 567 golf tour operator members saw sales grow to over US$2.5 billion in 2014, the third year of consecutive growth. A record number of golf tour operators have already registered for IAGTO’s 4th Asia Golf Tourism Convention in Jakarta (April 27-20) at which Golfasian will be participating.”
Golfasian www.golfasian.com
IAGTO www.iagto.com