Golf tourism to spotlight Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka Tourism has made a concerted effort to bring down high spending golf-playing tourists by creating the right arena for their stay in the country for which the sport’s top tour operator visited Colombo.International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) President Peter Walton visited the country this week meeting with tour operators, hotels and golf circuits and interested golf tour operators to create awareness of the prospects of Golf Tourism in Sri Lanka.
In an address to the stakeholders of the industry at the Taj Samudra in Colombo on Wednesday, Mr. Walton noted that Sri Lanka had the right potential to attract visitors wanting to play and spend a holiday in the country but pointed out that more courses were needed.He explained that a country needs about five courses to ensure that players would be able to tour at least three of these during their stay.Mr. Walton said it was not just the beach and sun that tourists were after on the other hand adding; “golf players want to experience the country through golf”.
Golf players’ requirements change with their age as a result the younger ones would be interested in travelling shorter distances while the older individuals would stay longer, he said adding that it could generate incomes of US$200 per night per person.IAGTO is the global trade organization for the golf tourism industry that comprises 2393 accredited golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, receptive operators, airlines, tourist boards, approved media and business partners in 95 countries including 605 specialist golf tour operators in 60 countries.
This agency is involved in the promotion of golf tourism worldwide and in this respect believes that Sri Lanka which is a key tourist destination would be able to market golf as another product.Mr. Walton noted that they will pick the right event to put Sri Lanka in touch with other tour operators to ensure the country is able to market itself to attract the right people.