With the goal of sustainable development and increasing stable revenue, golf tourism is focused on investment by localities, creating a tourism ecosystem combining sports with cultural, natural, and culinary exploration... increasing the value and attractiveness of the destination.
Locating world golf tourism destinations
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in recent years, Vietnam's golf tourism has become a bright spot on the tourism map, contributing to high value for the industry's revenue. Revenue from golf tourism reached 600 million USD in 2022 and is expected to reach 1 billion USD in 2025, contributing about 8-10% of the country's total tourism revenue.
By 2025, Vietnam will have more than 80 international standard 18-hole golf courses in operation. Golf courses in Vietnam are of good quality, classy, and differentiated based on the advantages of terrain characteristics and the natural and cultural resources of each locality, thus attracting tourists. Names such as The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip (top 100 golf courses in the world), Laguna Lang Co, Hoiana Shores Golf Club or Ba Na Hills Golf Club... have affirmed their quality, attracting millions of international golfers each year.
The reputation of the Vietnamese golf market has also been affirmed by many prestigious international awards. For 8 consecutive years (2017 - 2024), Vietnam was honored by the World Golf Organization (WGA) as "Asia's Leading Golf Destination" and "World's Best Golf Destination" twice (2019, 2021). Many localities in Vietnam have also been honored as prestigious and quality golf destinations. Typically, the capital Hanoi was honored by WGA for 2 consecutive years as "World's Best Golf City Destination" (2023 and 2024).
Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh assessed that the recognized awards show the great potential and advantages of Vietnam's golf tourism, and at the same time affirm the ability to organize international golf tournaments, which can satisfy high-class and demanding customers.
“Golf tourism is a potential tourism product, making an important contribution to attracting international tourists to Vietnam, especially tourists from key markets such as Korea, Japan, the US, Europe, the Middle East... Developing golf tourism is not only about developing high-class sports but also helping to develop a high-class tourism ecosystem, from infrastructure, facilities to a system of 5-star hotels, accommodations, and restaurants. Therefore, the policy of the Vietnam Tourism industry is to promote advantages and potentials to develop golf tourism in a sustainable direction, this is considered one of the orientations for developing Vietnam's tourism products in the coming years" - Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh commented.
Building a distinct tourism brand
Although there are many advantages, with many localities investing in large golf courses, according to experts, Vietnam's golf tourism is still in the "potential" category, not really becoming a sustainable strength product.
According to Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Ha Van Sieu, golf tourism products are still limited due to the lack of golf courses with synchronous investment and connectivity with experiential tourism routes. The proportion of international tourists coming to play golf is not high in the total number of international visitors to Vietnam. The connection between travel agencies and golf courses is still loose, golf tourism is not connected with other types of tourism such as MICE (tourism combined with conferences and seminars)...
Regarding this issue, Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute Pham Hai Quynh said that golf tourism in Vietnam is still quite simple, visitors mainly come to play golf, rarely to explore and experience local culture and nature. The reason is that Vietnam lacks products connecting golf with cultural and experiential activities; communication and promotion activities are not effective.
To overcome these limitations and make golf tourism a key product to attract high-end customers, Mr. Pham Hai Quynh said that Vietnam needs to organize many large golf tournaments, gathering famous players to elevate the destination and increase influence in promotion. In addition, for golf tourism to develop strongly, it is necessary to build tour products that link golf activities with exploring local culture and cuisine.
According to Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh, there needs to be an alliance of golf businesses to create a quality, classy service system, building a golf tourism brand for each locality in a methodical and distinct way.
Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has awarded the Decision to appoint Mr. Gregory John Norman (abbreviated as Greg Norman) - the world golf legend - to hold the position of Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the term 2025 - 2030. Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong said that Vietnam is promoting the development of golf as a key product, therefore, awarding the title of Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to Mr. Greg Norman will create a professional brand representative, helping to promote the image of Vietnam in the international market, especially golf tourism. In the coming time, the Vietnam Tourism Ambassador will carry out many promotional activities, focusing on golf tourism, aiming to attract more international visitors, especially high-end visitors to Vietnam in 2025 and the following years.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/tang-toc-phat-trien-du-lich-golf-post649852.html
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