Organized by the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF), an international seminar on golf industry and golf tourism is taking place in Da Nang on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Da Nang Golf Tourism Festival 2023. The two-day event brings together leading experts and speakers in golf industry from around the world.

Discussions at the two-day international semonar focus on contents related to golf tourism development. Photo: THU HA

The major contents of discussion at this international event include potential assessments of the golf tourism in Da Nang, and Viet Nam at large, the design of golf course irrigation systems, the importance of golf service quality, women with sports, the impact on golf course design, plus global trends in golf industry to watch in the next decade and their impacts in Asia.

The seminar also provides the opportunity for speakers, attendees, and experts to share their views on golf tourism, and seek cooperation opportunities in this type of tourism .

According to new research undertaken by the R&A, based at the Royal & Ancient Golf Club in St Andrews, Scotland, which is an international governing body for golf, there are now 39.6 million on-course golfers (9 and 18 hole) in R&A affiliated markets. The research figures indicate that the growth trend began before the onset of Covid-19 and continued during the pandemic – up 34% from 29.6 million on-course golfers in 2016. The sport has since continued to increase in popularity post-pandemic, up 15% from 34.5 million on-course players in 2020.

Undoubtedly, nowadays more and more people are becoming more interested in participating in golf through such various alternative forms as indoor golf courses, and recreational facilities. The top 5 golf markets are Japan, Canada, South Korea, UK and Germany (World Wide Golf Report 2023). An increasing number of people are very interested in Asian golf market.

According to the Asian Tour representative, Viet Nam is one of the most important and fastest growing markets for golf in the world, with major tournaments continuously being held in the country. This is the second consecutive year that Da Nang has hosted the BRG Open Golf Championship Da Nang - the first tournament of the Asian Development Tour in Viet Nam.  

Mrs Nguyen Thi Hoai An, the Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre remarked that Viet Nam has great potential for developing golf tourism. In 2019, Forbes magazine recognized Viet Nam as the fastest-developing market for golf in the region with an annual market growth rate of 30%.

Many world-class golf courses located within a radius of 50km from Da Nang International Airport bring convenience to players as these venues will offer golf experience for all levels.

In its efforts to develop this type of tourism, Da Nang has worked with many organizations, and conducted market research to identify potential golf tourism segments and create research-based marketing strategies.

Besides, heed has been paid to conducting a customer behavior survey to understand its customers' behavior, needs, and preferences in an attempt to  improve its services to meet the needs of golfers. Special attention has been paid to hosting international tournaments and simplifying licensing procedures, boosting cooperation in promoting accessibility for golfers and driving tourism growth, as well as taking advantage of the country’s new visa policy to attract international tourists.

Importance has been attached to launching golf promotional campaigns in foreign countries, working with golf tour operators, golf influencers and golf media to promote Da Nang as an attractive golf destination, participating in international golf industry trade shows, and golf seminars worldwide.

The city has also focused on improving the value chain of the tourism sector, connecting with golf tour operators and golf courses to stimulate the development of golf tours suitable for specific source markets.

Reporting by THU HA – Translating by H.L