Khanh Hoa hopes to strongly develop golf tourism, forming a classy and attractive tourism product - Photo: MINH CHIEN
On November 27, Saigon Giai Phong newspaper coordinated with Khanh Hoa Department of Culture and Sports to organize a workshop on "Sustainable development of Vietnam's golf industry".
Bringing golf to schools
At the workshop, Mr. Bach Cuong Khang - Deputy General Secretary of the Vietnam Golf Association - said that in Vietnam, golf is still a rather unfamiliar sport for most people, especially teenagers and children. Despite the development of high-class golf courses, the number of children participating in golf is still very limited.
According to Mr. Khang, the reason is that this sport has high investment costs, the infrastructure is not yet developed synchronously, and many people still consider this sport to be for the rich, not for the young.
Mr. Khang suggested that to develop youth golf, there needs to be synchronization from infrastructure, support policies, community awareness and training quality.
Mr. Bach Cuong Khang - Deputy General Secretary of Vietnam Golf Association - said that to develop youth golf, it is necessary to introduce golf into primary and secondary schools - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG
“The solution is to develop a golf education program into physical education at schools, especially at primary and secondary schools. Participating in golf at an early age can help children form good habits such as concentration and perseverance, which can be applied to many other areas of life,” said Mr. Khang.
The Deputy Secretary General of the Vietnam Golf Association cited that in developed countries such as the US, South Korea, Thailand and Japan, golf has become a popular sport in schools and in the youth community.
“These countries have been successful in developing intensive training systems for children, and many golf talents have been discovered and developed very early.
This contributes to creating talented athletes for the country, while enhancing the country's position in international arenas," said Mr. Khang.
Having a golf course at a destination will attract MICE tourists
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper - said that the master plan for Vietnam tourism development with a vision to 2030 identifies golf tourism as an important specialized product - Photo: NGUYEN HOANG
Speaking at the workshop, Mr. Nguyen Tuan Thanh - Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Culture and Sports - said that golf tourism tourists often have a higher average spending level than tourists of other types.
Having a golf course at a destination is also a factor that attracts other tourists, especially MICE tourists (tourism combined with conferences and seminars).
“Golf courses often attract tourism investment, improve employment, and enhance regional competitiveness, while compensating for the seasonal nature of traditional tourism. Golf tourism is therefore considered a “treasure” for Vietnam’s green economy,” said Mr. Thanh.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Anh - Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Saigon Giai Phong Newspaper - said that the master plan for Vietnam tourism development with a vision to 2030 identifies golf tourism as an important specialized product that needs to be invested in and strongly developed in the coming time.
According to Mr. Anh, many experts believe that Vietnam has full potential and opportunity to become the "golf paradise of Asia", however, in reality, golf tourism products in Vietnam are still very limited due to the small number of golf courses.
“The connection between travel agencies and golf courses is still limited, golf tourism is not yet connected with other types of tourism such as MICE, caravan, there are no professional awards, golf courses are not yet linked together, and there are no solutions to promote golf tourism products in a systematic way” – Mr. Ngoc Anh said.
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