Pattaya Wins Major Travel Destination Award
Pattaya Wins Major Travel Destination Award
Thailand (PRWEB) November 17, 2011
Pattaya, the popular Thailand resort, has just been named Golf Destination of the Year 2012 for Australasia and Asia.
The Mayor of the City of Pattaya, along with representatives from several of the regions golf clubs, accepted their award yesterday in Turkey on the final night of the International Golf Travel Market.
The nominees for 2012 included Malaysia, New Zealand, Vietnam plus Thailand’s Hua Hin, Pattaya and Phuket regions.
This prestigious award was voted for by over 400 global tour operator members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO).
Previous winners included Malaysia and Thailand, but this is the first time that an actual region has won this award. Spain, the United States and Thailand are currently the big three international golf destinations, with Turkey and Portugal among developing countries that were rapidly increasing their golf tourism sectors.
The Mayor of Pattaya City, Itthiphol Kunplome accepting the award said, ‘Pattaya is already well known as a resort destination, however I hope that by winning this award, it will help give the destination a higher profile, and through increased marketing budgets, elevate Pattaya as a top international golf destination.‘
Peter Walton President and Chief Executive of IGATO, said,’ The main reasons why they won this award, were that our members found that Pattaya offered quality golf courses, good management, great service, value for money, and most importantly, that the local agents and tourist board were particularly supportive both to our members and of course their clients.’
Mike Mesommonta, spokesman for the Eastern Seaboard Golf Management Association added,’ this award is a huge endorsement for all our members, who have worked very hard to create some top class golf courses in the region. Our courses attract thousands of foreign visitors and several major International Tournaments every year, including the Thailand Open, the Pattaya Open and the Honda LPGA Open. We are lucky to be able to offer fine weather all year round, keeping our courses in perfect playing conditions 365 days every year, and perhaps are best secret weapon are the wonderful smiling caddies!’
Akaplol Sorasuchart the President of Thailand’s Convention & Exhibition Bureau, said,’ corporate golf is very important to encourage overseas business, and a major part of our strategy has been to sponsor several major golf tournaments here in Thailand. We have worked hard to develop the MICE industry here and it is a great honour that Pattaya has received this award.’
Photo caption: Mayor of City of Pattaya, Itthiphol Kunplome with Peter Walton, CEO of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators.
The City of Pattaya is located 147 kilometers southeast of Bangkok and is Thailand’s premier beach resort. It has over 70,000 hotel rooms, fine dining, superb night life and even its own international airport. http://www.pattayafuture.com
Eastern Seaboard Golf Management Association has over 20 member golf courses covering the region, designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Pete Dye and Gary Player. The EGA organize a number of events including the annual Singha Chonburi-Pattaya Golf Festival and the unique Thai Caddy Championship. http://www.egathailand.com
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), a government agency under the Office of the Prime Minister, spearheads the nation’s efforts to develop Thailand into a regional hub for meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions (MICE). http://www.tceb.or.th
IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) has 1,700 members in 94 countries and its members are responsible for 80% of golf packages sold worldwide. In Asia, IAGTO has 209 tour operators selling golf in the region in 43 originating countries. http://www.iagto.com
Thailand. Although several regions of the country have been affected by the Thai floods, Pattaya has remained dry throughout, and the rest of Thailand will soon be back to normal as the waters are now receding.
Press contacts:
Mike Bridge: mikebridgemd(at)hotmail(dot)com tel +66 831 986700.
Callum Mackie: callum(underscore)mac(at)yahoo(dot)com tel + 66836184449
###
Attachments
©Copyright 1997-
, Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
Vocus, PRWeb, and Publicity Wire are trademarks or registered trademarks of Vocus, Inc. or Vocus PRW Holdings, LLC.
You got a really useful blog I have been here reading for about an hour. I am a newbie and your success is very much an inspiration for me.