Thai Golf website has 36% jump in views since borders reopen
As the Tourism Authority of Thailand starts to ramp up its overseas campaigns to encourage international travellers to fly to Thailand, one sector, Golf, is already seeing a jump in activity.
Since the recent announcement of the relaxing of Thailand Pass entry regulations, many international golf vacationers have shown a keen interest in playing a few rounds in the Land of the Smiles.
Over the past 4 weeks, the popular handicap website birdie.in.th has seen a massive 36% rise in registrations from overseas golfers. Birdie Thailand allows golfers from all over the world to enter their scores regularly every time they play 18 holes.
So, after their round of golf, the website automatically updates their handicap, which as every golfer knows is vital if they wish to enter local tournaments. At the same time, golfers are prompted to make a review of the course they just played.
24,516,446 shots
Over 15,000 golfers have registered in the past five years. They have played over 295 courses here and in Asia, resulting in a staggering 24,516,446 shots at an average handicap of 17.8.
Shane Ruddle CEO at birdie says that the Thai golf courses, in most cases, have never looked better.
“With many golf courses having had time to upgrade and deal with vital maintenance during the pandemic, some of our reviewers are saying they have found most courses have never been in better condition for play.”
“It is very encouraging to see this jump in views. Golf vacationers tend to be a tough breed, so once the borders are open and the entry rules are relaxed, we expect many of Thailand’s top golf resorts to see an upswing in bookings during the next few months.”
Underscoring research from the International Association of Golfing Tour Operators, the organisation states that the international golf tourism market is worth an estimated the US$17 billion, with approximately 56 million golf players across the globe.
“Golf Vacationers tend to spend a lot more per head than the average tourist, as they tend to stay in 3–5-star hotels, eat at the best restaurants, and of course pay for a round of golf and tip the Thai caddies too.”
Major Golf Event
Nearly 300 golf vacationers from all over the world have also flown to Thailand and are currently taking part in the Centara World Masters Golf Tournament in Hua Hin.
This major event organised by Golfasian the leading golf tour operator, is bringing to Hua Hin a lot of welcome bed nights in hotels across the city.
Golf Vacations along with medical tourism and weddings play a very important role in bringing overseas currency into the system. Many Asian countries rely on golf vacationers for local income, so hopefully, Thailand will also start to see an increase in bookings.
