Given the advantage of having many golf courses that meet international standards, Da Nang is building a strategy to develop golf tourism into a key tourism product, contributing to promoting the image of the destination, affirming its position on the regional and international golf tourism map.

The Ba Na Hills Golf Club was named among top 100 golf resorts in the world and ranked first in Asia by the prestigious US Golf Magazine in 2024. Photo: NGOC HA

The Asian Golf Tourism Convention - AGTC 2025 recently held in Da Nang attracted 450 delegates from 33 countries and territories worldwide, with many activities such as a survey programme for golf travel agencies, the AGTC 2025 Golf Championship, the Asian Golf Tourism Conference, more than 4,500 meetings between international travel companies and golf tourism service providers, and the IAGTO Awards ceremony...

This event created a strong impression in the golf community. World Golf Tourism Association President Peter Walton said: “When we first brought AGTC to Da Nang in 2017, there were only four golf courses in the city and central Viet Nam. We expected that the success of the event would promote the sustainable development of golf tourism in the region. Eight years later, we returned and witnessed strong growth with eight international-class golf courses”.

AGTC 2025 created great values for the destination of Da Nang. This event with the participation of 168 travel companies specialising in golf tourism to experience the resorts and golf courses here, many of which came to Da Nang for the first time. Meetings between international travel companies and golf tourism service providers created the increased revenue for golf destinations in Asia, Viet Nam, and especially Da Nang. By inviting leading travel companies from 33 countries and territories to come here, AGTC 2025 was expected to help Da Nang’s golf tourism industry no longer depend too much on one or two source markets….

Golf tourism in Da Nang, and Central Viet Nam, is not only growing in the number of golf courses but also in the increasing number of golf rounds. According to statistics from the Central Golf Course Alliance, in 2024, the total number of golf rounds at the central region’s courses reached 387,000 rounds, an increase of 13.8% compared to 2023 and is expected to reach 410,000 golf rounds in 2025, continuing to increase by more than 10% from the year earlier.

According to the Viet Nam tourism development strategy to 2030 approved by the Prime Minister, infrastructure development and golf tourism product development are identified as one of the key orientations in the development of Viet Nam’s tourism industry. Da Nang has set out directions and promoted the attraction of golf tourists, quickly approached global golf organisations and hosted major golf events and golf tournaments, including the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang and the Asia Convention in 2027.

Mr. Tan Van Vuong, the Deputy Director of the Da Nang Department of Tourism, said that AGTC 2025 returning to Da Nang for the second time was a valuable opportunity to introduce to international friends a dynamic, modern coastal city with outstanding tourism potential; promote the image of golf tourism, along with a system of 5-star hotels and resorts and beautiful natural landscapes, and the city's high-class tourism services, thereby helping the city affirm its position on the regional and international golf tourism map and opening up many opportunities for cooperation and investment to develop golf tourism and luxury tourism.

At the same time, the event contributed to promoting the tourism industry, affirming the position of ‘Da Nang - Asia's leading festival and event destination’. The event also created conditions for Da Nang golf tourism businesses, Viet Nam to strengthen connections and exchanges with international golf travel agencies, while creating richness and diversification of tourism events in 2025 in an effort to attract high-end and high-spending tourist segments.

The International Golf Tourism Association (IAGTO) was established in 1997, with 2,428 recognized members, including travel companies specializing in golf tourism, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, tourism operators, airlines, tourism agencies, licensed media channels and business partners in 93 countries. Of which, the core is 712 travel companies specializing in golf tourism in 68 countries. IAGTO travel agencies control more than 90% of golf packages sold globally, with a turnover of more than 2.5 billion Euros per year. The Asian Golf Tourism Congress - AGTC 2025 is one of three official events of IAGTO, along with conventions in Europe and North America. AGTC is not only an important bridge between partners in the industry but also contributes to promoting the host golf destination and opening up many cooperation opportunities with local suppliers.

Reporting by PHUC QUAN - Translating by  ANH THU