Travel firms aim high for golf tour

Golf is not popular in Vietnam but tour operators believe the sport has the ability to lure both international and local travelers. As a result, many tour organizers have been promoting golf tours in recent years.
Asian Trails Co. Ltd arranged a familiarization trip for two editors from a Switzerland-based golf magazine two months ago, to play golf at five courses in the country.
The magazine promoted golf in Vietnam after its staff explored the country’s many courses themselves.
Bui Viet Thuy Tien, managing director of Asian Trails, said, “We don’t have many golf travelers but we want to develop the potential segment. Along with promoting golf tours via specific magazines, we will use other marketing channels to promote the sport in the country”.
At Saigontourist Travel Services Co., golf tourists had increased in the last two years, especially domestic golfers. In addition, more local people were buying outbound and domestic golf tours. Before that, the tours were only popular among foreign golfers who purchased them via the internet and others who bought MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions) tours including golf activities.
Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing manager of Saigontourist, said, “We are arranging outbound tours for around two groups per month while more domestic tours have sold after the Lunar New Year holiday. For domestic tours, golfers like to go to Phan Thiet, Dalat, Danang and Tam Dao.”
The company on Wednesday launched a regular outbound tour to Burei every Sunday for domestic golfers.
Hanoi-based Ocean Travel Company has a website with information about the country’s golfing scene, including news, promotions, and accommodation for tourists at www.vietnamgolfplay.com.
Pham Van Minh, the company’s director of sales, said that as golf is relatively new in Vietnam, the country is only receiving limited numbers of tourists in the segment. Many are businessmen from Europe, Singapore and Malaysia.
“We’ve decided to run the website because we believe the segment has potential. We are preparing for an increase in travelers,” he said.
Other companies have also launched websites dedicated to golf tours. Even Golfasian Co. Ltd in Bangkok, Thailand has set up a website about Vietnam’s golf tours at www.vietnamgolfvacation.com.
However, some tour operators said international golfers complain that golf fees in Vietnam are higher than in other countries like Thailand, causing some to travel to cheaper destinations instead.
“But, many golf courses are putting in new services. We hope the fees will lower when new competitors join the market and the golf courses will launch promotions to attract golfers,” Tien of Asian Trail said.