Abu Dhabi wants to grow its golf tourism as it prepares for the next winter season.
The Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has established a committee to develop the segment, eyeing expanding markets in Europe, China, India and the Arabian Gulf as well as the UAE.
It aims to expand its links with global tour operators, including those in the US, and run awareness campaigns in India and South Africa to promote the capital as a golf destination.
It also plans to target golf events in the UK, Germany, France and Italy and will work with clubs and domestic tour operators to develop packages such as night golf.
The emirate has six golf courses, including Yas Links, Saadiyat Beach Golf Club and Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club.
“Golf is an important part of Yas Island and we have quite a few guests, business and leisure, who come for the golf links. It is a growing segment of the hotel,” said Tareq Bagaeen, regional director of sales at the Rezidor Hotel Group.
For the past three years, the property has recorded an annual increase of 10 per cent among guests who use Yas Links. Among the leading nationalities are British, Japanese, South Korean and American guests. “We have businessmen who extend their stay over the weekend to play golf,” he said.
The visitabudhabi.ae website features five packages of five to seven nights across the links in the emirate that can be booked online. Currently available in English, the website will host the information in nine languages, and will offer direct booking services with the golf clubs.
“We have made significant progress since launching Golf In Abu Dhabi in 2011, and expect the collaborative approach we are adopting through the work of the IDC Golf Clubs to further boost the number of international rounds for our partners,” said Reem Al Mahri, who heads the hospitality and attractions unit at TCA Abu Dhabi.
The emirate teed off the four-day Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship in 2006 with a prize fund of US$2.7 million. The event is the European Tour’s annual curtain-raiser held in January at the national course at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Golf tourism is expanding globally as improved air connectivity encourages players to travel overseas, while tie-ups with event and exhibition organisers also stokes demand.
Forward bookings for European-based golf tour operators gained 7.3 per cent in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, according to the global golf tourism organisation IAGTO.
“Golf holidays taken were also up from January to March compared to the period last year, by 8 per cent globally,” said the IAGTO chief executive Peter Walton.
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