Industry news
NEW ZEALAND IN THREE-YEAR DRIVE TO BOOST INTERNATIONAL GOLF VISITORS
New Zealand is aiming to capitalise on its status as an award-winning golf destination to lure more overseas golfers to experience its courses .
Tourism New Zealand ’ s golf tourism initiatives have been ratcheted up since the country was named 2018 Golf Destination of the Year for the Asia Pacific region in global golf tourism organisation IAGTO ’ s 18th annual golf tourism awards *.
38 of New Zealand ’ s leading golf courses have now joined IAGTO as part of a collaborative partnership to accelerate the appeal of New Zealand as an international golfing destination .
The courses fall into two categories : Marquee Courses , comprising 14 of the country ’ s most iconic names , including world top 50 Cape Kidnappers Golf Course , Kauri Cliffs Golf Course and the dramatic alpine-set Jacks Point Golf Course plus Experience Courses , numbering 24 , that have been selected for delivering something special and uniquely New Zealand to the visiting golf traveller .
With the support of IAGTO , Tourism New Zealand ( TNZ ) will be expanding its golf tourism activities over the coming three years , starting with its largest delegation at the forthcoming 7th Asia Golf Tourism Convention ( AGTC ), taking place in Manila
from April 22-25 , where TNZ will also be an International Sponsor . Participants already include the Royal Wellington Golf Club , Otago Golf Club , The Kinloch Club , Cape Kidnappers Golf Course , Terrace Downs Resort , PaR nz Golfing Holidays , Premium Golf New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand . Between 2018 and 2020 , TNZ will also showcase its golf product at the International Golf Travel Market and IAGTO ’ s North America Golf Tourism Convention ( NAC – this year being held in Central Oregon , from June 24-27 ).
Commenting on the initiative , IAGTO Chief Executive Peter Walton said : “ When all ‘ export ready ’ or tourism-friendly golf courses in a destination work together , they make a much greater impact on the golf travel industry , and this is exactly what has happened in New Zealand , led by a very pro-active national tourist board . This in turn acts as essential guidance for international golf tour operators keen to feature , promote and sell this extraordinary golf destination to their golf travelling customers ”.
As part of this project , IAGTO will establish a New Zealand Chapter and a New Zealand Operators Club for its member golf tour operators that promote New Zealand as a golf destination .
To find out more about New Zealand and its golf courses , visit www . newzealand . com .
Golf Industry Central I Autumn 2018 11