The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the Thailand Golf Travel Mart (TGTM) 2023 from 4-6 September 2023, in the seaside cities of Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan, marking a return after four years since it was last held in 2019.
Mr. Tanes Petsuwan, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific said, “The TGTM 2023 is aimed to continue to strengthen Thailand’s position as a world-class destination for international golfers by offering more than 300 stunning courses all over the kingdom at low green fees and high standards. Little wonder that Thailand has been attracting major tournaments and the world’s best-known golf players, and this is why the International Association of Golf Tour Operators or IAGTO recently named Thailand as the “Golf Destination of the Year for 2023”.
The three-day TGTM 2023 is set as a centre stage for Thai golf businesses to network and discuss business opportunities with overseas golf-holiday specialists.
The networking golf sessions are scheduled on Day 1 and Day 3 (4 and 6 September) at Banyan Golf Club Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan and Springfield Royal Country Club in Phetchaburi, respectively.
On Day 2 (5 September), the programme included the Opening Ceremony, Thailand Golf Briefing, and business sessions during the day, followed by the Thai Night hosted by TAT in the evening – all taking place at Holiday Inn Vana Nava Hua Hin in Prachuap Khiri Khan.
For the TGTM 2023, TAT has invited 64 specialist golf holiday buyers from 15 countries, including Australia (3), China (13), the Czech Republic (2), India (4), Indonesia (6), Japan (7), Malaysia (6), Oman (1), Singapore (5), South Korea (6), Sweden (1), Taiwan and the UAE (3 each), and the UK and USA (2 each).
They met and discussed business with 71 Thai exhibitors, including golf courses, golf resorts, golf schools, equipment retailers, travel agents and tour operators, hotels, spas, and other related businesses. Nine overseas media were also invited to explore Thailand’s diversity of golf courses and holidays.
TAT has been organising the TGTM on an annual basis for five consecutive years before putting it on hold for four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The previous five TGTMs were held in Hua Hin, Pattaya, Khao Yai, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.
Mr. Tanes said “The TGTM has been rotated all around the country ever since its inception to maximise exposure of the extensive choice of world-class golf courses known for their picturesque beauty and spectacular design, low green fees, and high standards when compared with other countries. This year, Phetchaburi and Prachuap Khiri Khan will be prominently featured.”
Thailand is a world-class golf destination, backed by numerous awards and accolades, including the most recent recognitions as the “Golf Destination of the Year of 2023” in the 22nd annual IAGTO Awards, and the “Best up and coming Destination for Golf Vacations” by the World Golf Travel Agents Association.
Thai golf destinations are also recognised for their world-class golf courses – the IAGTO also named Chiang Mai “The Next Golf Destination of the Year Asia & Australasia 2017”, and Pattaya and Hua Hin as the “Golf Destination of the Year for Asia and Australia” in 2012 and 2014, respectively – to name a few. (TAT)
