Kuala Lumpur, September 3: Newly-elected Malaysia Golf Tourism Association (MGTA) president Paul Gibbons has called on all parties involved in the golf industry to use the association as a conduit towards closer cooperation to boost inbound golf tourism.

Speaking after the MGTA’s first annual general meeting (AGM) last week, Gibbons noted that the association’s close ties with Tourism Malaysia and the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO) make it the ideal avenue to promote Malaysian golf to the world.

“Being a member of the MGTA will open a host of benefits to anyone who has an interest in the golf travel industry, from golf clubs and resorts to golf tour operators and even the media,” he said after being returned unopposed as president during the AGM on August 29 at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.

“Through the MGTA, we can speak as a strong collective voice to bring up issues that affect the golf travel industry to the relevant authorities. Our close ties with Tourism Malaysia and other government agencies can also help speed up proceedings and cut through red tape.

“Furthermore, membership of MGTA means automatic membership of the International Association of Golf Travel Operators (IAGTO), which has a membership of 1,948 consisting of golf tour operators, golf resorts, hotels, golf courses, airlines, tourist boards and other golf travel-related bodies in 89 countries. That creates immense networking opportunities and opens up avenues to build business relationships with hundreds of golf tourism buyers worldwide,” added Gibbons, who is attached to MST Golf Vacations.

Gibbons had served as the pro-tem president of the MGTA since its formation in March 2011 and will continue to lead the association for the next two years. Ng Eu Shen of Liberty Golf Services meanwhile was elected as vice president in the ballot voting.

While the president and vice president’s posts are held by individuals, the seven council members consist of companies from the golf travel industry with at least one from each of the four categories of ordinary members of the MGTA – golf resorts, golf clubs, ground handlers and media specialists. During the AGM, the following seven companies were elected to the council – Genting  Malaysia Berhad, Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, Liberty Golf Services Sdn Bhd, MST Golf Vacations Sdn Bhd, Write Track Publishing & Communications Sdn Bhd and Golf (Malaysia) Publications Sdn Bhd.

Photo Caption: (L to R) Alan Kee of Horizon Hills GCC, Ng Yap of MST Golf Vacations, Robert Bird of Kuala Lumpur GCC, MGTA president Paul Gibbons, Andrew Leong of Genting Berhad, MGTA vice president Ng Eu Shen, Andrew Ng of Golf (Malaysia) Publications, Jonathan Ponniah of Write Track Publishing & Communications and MGTA executive director Chris Syer

About the MGTA
Formed in March 2011, the MGTA is a non-profit making organisation whose goal is to create greater international awareness of Malaysia as Asia’s Best Kept Secret when it comes to golfing holidays.
MGTA actively participates in golf travel industry exhibitions around the world and communicates directly to the public via its website, www.golftourismmalaysia.com. The association also produces brochures and other golf travel collaterals which are distributed in all Tourism Malaysia offices around the world.

The objectives of MGTA are:
- To enable MGTA members to speak through the association with one voice and act with one purpose to generate sustainable growth of golf tourism to Malaysia.
- To unify all sectors involved in the various aspects of the golf tourism industry as a business and thereby represent and secure the long term interest of the golf tourism industry in Malaysia.
- To organize the industry to set standards, ethics and guidelines that will help maintain and raise standards in order to deliver the best possible experience to the visiting golf traveller.
- To co-ordinate programs to secure and raise a better understanding, appreciation and awareness of Golf Destination Malaysia amongst golf travellers worldwide whereby increasing the share of the pie for the Malaysian golf tourism industry in the global market place.
- To increase employment, educational and sporting opportunities through the development of golf tourism.
- To promote and encourage high standards of service, conduct and performance by its members and encourage cultural interaction with international visitors through golf tourism.
- To be the primary advocate to continually develop the environmental sustainability of golf tourism within Malaysia.
- To research and analyze trends in the golf tourism market and gather the best research from leading market research firms to identify trends, offer insights and advice.
- To provide a membership forum for the collection, distribution and exchange of essential information relevant to the golf tourism industry.
- To take all steps to undertake, improve, systematize and co-ordinate training resources appropriate to the needs of the industry.
- To work with other industry bodies on issues relevant to the industry.
- To do all such other things within Malaysian law as are conducive or incidental to the attainment of the above objectives or any of them.
- To procure contributions to the funds of the Association in the form of donations, grants, legacy, subscription with prior approval of the Registrar of Societies and relevant authorities, where necessary.