Eleven golf destinations, golf courses and golf resorts from across the Asia Pacific region have been honoured in the 24th year of the golf tourism industry’s IAGTO Awards.
For the first time, the prestigious annual IAGTO Awards have been divided into three global regions, with IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) staging its Asia Pacific Awards in Abu Dhabi on the final night of its 10th Asia Golf Tourism Convention.
Bangkok, Miyazaki and Mauritius were the three destination winners revealed during a spectacular gala event in the emirate, with seven golf courses and golf resorts being singled out for their outstanding service. Meanwhile, host destination Abu Dhabi was recognised for its pivotal role in providing a venue for the most important golf tourism marketplace for the Asia Pacific region.
Following on from the Asia Pacific Awards, the European and American Awards will be announced in May and June respectively, prior to IAGTO’s European and American conventions.
IAGTO’s Chief Executive, Peter Walton, explained: “Votes were cast by our 660 golf tour operators worldwide at the beginning of the year for the destinations, golf resorts and golf courses that delivered outstanding service to their clients. Announcing the awards regionally provides the recipients the best opportunity to make the most of this accolade.”
IAGTO is renowned for recognising only a select few deserving golf destinations and golf resorts or golf courses each year as nominated by its member tour operators and for adapting the awards to existing market situations.
The awards ceremony, held at Abu Dhabi’s Warner Bros World theme park on Yas Island on 22 March, was crowned with a dazzling sound and light show, while the evening also included a red carpet for guests with ‘paparazzi’ in attendance and an appearance by superhero Batman.
The recipients of IAGTO’s 2024 Asia Pacific Awards are:
Southeast Asia Golf Destination of the Year Award
Bangkok
East Asia Golf Destination of the Year Award
Miyazaki
Tropical Island Golf Destination of the Year Award
Mauritius
Golf Course of the Year Award for Australia
13th Beach Golf Links
Golf Course of the Year Award for Cambodia
Vattanac Golf Resort
Golf Resort of the Year Award for China
Mission Hills Haikou
Golf Resort of the Year Award for Indonesia
Gunung Geulis Golf Resort
Golf Course of the Year Award for Malaysia
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
Golf Course of the Year Award for Thailand
Nikanti Golf Club
Golf Course of the Year Award for Vietnam
Ba Na Hills Golf Club
Outstanding Contribution to Golf Tourism
Abu Dhabi
Winner’s comments
Southeast Asia Golf Destination of the Year Award – Bangkok
“Thank you for this prestigious award, which we are thrilled to accept on behalf of all golf courses in Bangkok. This achievement highlights the dedication of our industry and the support of tour operators. Thailand’s warm hospitality, rich culture, stunning landscapes, and exceptional golfing experiences make it a top destination year-round. We look forward to welcoming golfers worldwide to experience the vibrant city of Bangkok and an enchanting Thailand first-hand.”
Warissara Sasomsub, Managing Director, Nikanti Golf Club, Bangkok
East Asia Golf Destination of the Year Award – Miyazaki
“Miyazaki is located in the southern part of Japan, an area where golf can be played all year round. There are very high-quality golf courses where men’s and women’s professional golf tournaments are held annually. Miyazaki is also home to a wonderful Japanese food culture, exemplified by Miyazaki beef! This award has deepened our identity as a golf destination. We have already had foreign guests come to Miyazaki to enjoy our golf. We have also had the opportunity to meet many buyers again at AGTC 2024, and we feel that AGTC has brought us closer together. We would like to thank IAGTO and everyone involved for their support.”
Tadashi Endo, representing Miyazaki Golf Destination at AGTC
Tropical Island Golf Destination of the Year Award – Mauritius
“Mauritius has built itself quite the golf reputation in recent years, with the DP World Tour, the Sunshine Tour and the Senior Tour travelling to its sunny shores each year. With this award and last December’s opening of the new La Reserve Golf Links, Mauritius has now established itself as a real bucket listed golf destination for golfers. We also dedicate this award to all our staff and stakeholders in the hospitality and tourism industry who have extended their well-recognised service and warm welcome to every aspect of the golfers’ experience.”
Michael Geerdharry, Manager - Golf Sales & Promotion, Heritage Resort, Mauritius
Golf Course of the Year Award for Australia – 13th Beach Golf Links
“13th Beach Golf Links is honoured to receive this IAGTO award and to be recognised by our peers as Golf Course of the Year 2024 for Australia. Our core focus is to provide an exceptional experience to all of our guests as a complete golfing destination with championship courses, stunning accommodation and our own unique brand of hospitality.”
Sally McKenna, Deputy General Manager, 13th Beach Golf Links, Australia
Golf Course of the Year Award for Cambodia – Vattanac Golf Resort
“We’re honoured, humbled, and delighted to accept this recognition from IAGTO on behalf of our ownership, Troon Golf and all of our associates back at Vattanac Golf Resort, in Phnom Penh. This award is further recognition of our relentless dedication to exceeding guest expectations and we express our deepest appreciation to IAGTO for recognising this.”
Chris Geraghty, Vattanac Golf Resort, Cambodia
Golf Resort of the Year Award for China – Mission Hills Haikou
“This recognition from IAGTO is a great honour. Since my late father founded Mission Hills in 1992, our family's vision has been to bring China to the world and the world to China. Thank you to the loyalty and support of IAGTO members for more than 30 years, we have turned this dream into reality together, and I hope that we will continue to work together to contribute to the sport of golf and the golf industry in the future.”
Tenniel Chu, Vice Chairman, Mission Hills Group, China
Golf Resort of the Year Award for Indonesia – Gunung Geulis Golf Resort
“Receiving this award is a humbling experience, and we express profound gratitude for the acknowledgment. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the golf industry in Indonesia has continued to flourish. The increased demand has motivated us to enhance our services further and uphold the impeccable standards of our golf course. This award stands as a significant milestone for Gunung Geulis Bogor, Indonesia, and we sincerely value this recognition.”
Lina Mongan, Marketing & Communication Manager, Gunung Geulis Golf Resort, Indonesia
Golf Course of the Year Award for Malaysia – Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
“We are truly grateful that Kota Permai Golf & Country Club has been honoured as the Golf Course of the Year for Malaysia . Thank you to IAGTO Awards for this prestigious recognition and providing us a platform to strengthen our position as one of the preferred golf destinations in Asia.”
Sheren Yong, General Manager, Kota Permai Golf & Country Club, Malaysia
Golf Course of the Year Award for Thailand – Nikanti Golf Club
“We're truly honoured to receive the Best Golf Course in Thailand 2024 award. Nikanti was born from a single dream: to create something remarkable and make golf accessible to all, engaging all six senses and to WOW everyone with our Ways of Wonder. Our distinctive 6-6-6 layout and inclusive packages guarantee an effortlessly extraordinary experience. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our team, agents and loyal guests. This award fuels our commitment to continually raise the bar of excellence for all golf enthusiasts. Thank you for this recognition.”
Warissara Sasomsub, Managing Director, Nikanti Golf Club, Bangkok
Golf Course of the Year Award for Vietnam – Ba Na Hills Golf Club
“On behalf of our owners, Sun Group, IMG and the entire team at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, we want to extend a big thank you to IAGTO for honouring us with this award. We're thrilled and deeply honoured by this recognition, which truly reflects the hard work and dedication of our team in providing world class golf experiences and seamless services for our guests and partners.
Receiving this award from our industry peers means a lot to us, especially when we consider the stiff competition and the expertise of the tour operators who understand the challenges of our market.
This amazing recognition only fuels our commitment to delivering the best in golf and hospitality.”
Gary Dixon, General Manager, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Vietnam
PHOTOS
A selection of photos can be downloaded from this link.
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About IAGTO & IAGTO Awards
Established in 1997, IAGTO is the global trade organisation of the golf tourism industry, and has 2340 members in over 95 countries including more than 660 golf tour operator members in 68 countries, which are responsible for more than 90% of golf vacation packages sold worldwide and which collectively have annual sales of over USD 2.5 billion. IAGTO runs three annual conventions spanning the globe, with events in Europe and North America in addition to the AGTC, along with regular Destination Conventions. IAGTO established the International Golf Travel Writers Association in 2000, the year in which the first prestigious annual IAGTO Awards also took place.
