Chiang Mai, April 26, 2011 — The Northern Thai province of Chiang Mai is to hold a two-month festival of golf designed to broaden the tourism appeal of this culturally-rich region and showcase the extraordinary range of emerging new products and services available for upmarket visitors.
To be held May 1 – June 30, 2011, the festival is being organized by the Chiang Mai Provincial Office of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Chiang Mai Office, Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association and Golf Course Association (North).
The grand opening ceremony will held on May 1, 2011 at the Alpine Golf Club and Resort. Throughout the two-month period, golf lovers will be able to avail of a range of special offers and events, such as:
The lowest offer green fee of the year which will be fixed at 800 THB at all major golf courses in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, and Lamphun during May 1 – June 30, 2011. (Conditions will apply.)
Invitation to apply to compete in organized tournaments every Saturday and Sunday for only 1,000 THB, inclusive of green fees, gift give-away, dinner and lucky draw. (Shot Gun Start 12:30) Players scoring a hole in one at a designated hole can win a special “prize of the festival.”
ML. Pannada Disakul, Governor of Chiang Mai, said the tourism strategy is aimed at positioning the province as a new golf destination.
“Our key target markets are the short-haul East Asian and Asian markets which are within close travelling distance from Thailand. By promoting creative activities for families planning a holiday in Thailand, we will combine all tourism products to include leisure, educational and wellness tourism. Chiang Mai is proud to have all these products. They only need to be creatively packaged and offered to the right target market.
“Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan are all markets with high purchasing power and strong family travel potential. This group is estimated to generate income of at least 12,000-15,000 Baht /day,” the Governor said.
Mr Chalermchai Suranand, Director of TAT Chiang Mai office said “This year, the Chiang Mai Golf Festival is being held for the third consecutive year. Due to the good response we have received in the past, the TAT has set a clear marketing strategy for Chiang Mai by targetting the niche market travel, especially golfing holidays.
“Although more than 70% of the golfers at courses in Chiang Mai and the Northern provinces are Thais, there is good potential to boost the number of foreign golfers if we continue to maintain high standards, provide good services and have well-targetted sales and marketing strategies and activities.”
He said the Tourism Authority of Thailand will push for the Chiang Mai Golf Festival to be held annually, provided it continues to receive the support of the local courses and entrepreneurs.
The main sponsors of this year’s festival are: Advanced Info Service PCL; Standard Tour Co., Ltd; Golf Gallery Co., Ltd. (Titleist); Osotsapa Co., Ltd. (Lipovitan-d); Chiang Mai News; Bangkok Airways; Singha Corporation Co., Ltd.; Thanachart Bank; and Krungthai-AXA Life Insurance Company Ltd.
Participating courses are the Alpine Golf Resort, Chiang Mai Inthanon Golf and Natural Resort, Gold Canyon Country Club, Chiang Mai Highlands Golf and Spa Resort, Chiang Mai Lanna, Santiburi Country Club Chiang Rai, Gassan Khuntan Golf Club and Resort, Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort, Star Dome Golf Club, Waterford Valley Chiang Rai, Mae Jo Golf Club and Resort, Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club, and the Gassan Marina Golf Club.
In addition, all golfers will have a chance to participate in the Chiang Mai Golf Festival Championship 2011 at the following 12 golf courses:
May 1, 2011 — Alpine Golf Resort – Chiang Mai
May 7, 2011 — Chiang Mai Inthanon Golf and Natural Resort
May 14, 2011 — Gold Canyon Country Club
May 21, 2011 — Chiang Mai Highland Golf and Spa Resort
May 28, 2011 — Lanna Golf Course Chiang Mai
May 29, 2011 — Santiburi Country Club Chiang Rai
June 4, 2011 — Gassan Khuntan Golf Club and Resort
June 11, 2011 — Royal Chiang Mai Golf Resort
June 18, 2011 — Star Dome Golf Club
June 12, 2011 — Waterford Valley Chiang Rai
June 25, 2011 — Mae Jo Golf Club and Resort
July 2, 2011 — Summit Green Valley Chiang Mai
For further information, contact the TAT Chiang Mai office
Tel: 053-248604, 053-248607, or the TAT Call Centre 1672.
International Public Relations Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: www.tatnews.org
