IAGTO Chairman: "No other destination in Southeast Asia has more potential than Vietnam!”  07:19, 01/04/2025

IAGTO – The Leading Organization for Golf Tourism

Could you give us a brief introduction to the IAGTO?

Established 27 years ago in 1997, IAGTO (International Association of Golf Tour Operators) quickly became recognized as the global golf tourism organization. Our 700+ golf tour operators in 68 countries are responsible for over 90% of international golf travel packages sold worldwide. Our mission is to put buyers and suppliers together and to ensure that by carefully accrediting all member companies that the golf experience of visiting golf travelers improves every year.

How have IAGTO and AGTC shaped the growth of global and Asian golf tourism?

IAGTO’s accreditation requirements for golf tour operators and inbound operators (DMCs) has ensured a high quality of professional operation throughout the global golf tourism industry amongst its 2400+ member companies. We have also helped to develop sustainable golf tourism strategies in 35 countries and regions in cooperation with government organizations. Most importantly the network that we have created between buyers and suppliers has helped to grow golf tourism sales worldwide.

How has golf tourism rebounded and grown compared to the pre-Covid-19 period?

In 2023, when the world fully emerged from the pandemic, there was enormous pent-up demand for high-end travel including golf tourism and our survey of member tour operators that years projected that this desire to spend money and travel would last at least three years. We are in the middle of this boom and golf tourism has continued to surge as expected, now to beyond 2019 levels in most golf destinations. Which destinations continue to benefit from 2026 onwards will depend entirely on the experience and value for money that golf travelers enjoy this year.

AGTC 2025 – A New Milestone for Asia Golf Tourism

What is the significance of AGTC 2025 for the golf tourism industry?

AGTC 2025 Danang is the 11th annual Asia Golf Tourism Convention. The event brings together accredited international golf tour operators, all selling golf vacations to Southeast Asia, with golf tourism supplies in the host country (Vietnam) and other golf destinations in the Asia Pacific region and further afield.

How does this year's AGTC in Danang differ from the 2017 event?

Participation at AGTC 2025 has grown by 30% since AGTC 2017 and is by far the largest golf tourism sales convention ever staged in the Asia Pacific region. The number of Vietnamese golf tourism suppliers has also grown by 60% since 2017.

Over 4000 meetings have already been pre-scheduled between buyers and suppliers, so we are expecting participating destinations and suppliers to see an immediate boost to both short-term and medium-term business.

Việt Nam – Leading Potential Golf Destination

How do you see the level of interest from buyers and sellers in the Vietnamese market at this year’s AGTC?

Vietnam is one of the few countries where golf course development has continued strongly over the past 10 years, creating new golf destinations within Vietnam which is a great attraction to golf tour operators. 70% of golf travelers are on the lookout for new destinations or new golf experiences within familiar destinations.

How do you view the growth of Vietnam’s golf industry and its golf tourism potential, especially in Danang?

Vietnam probably has more potential than any other equivalent destination, due to its touristic appeal and the growth in its golf tourism product.

Solutions for Promoting Vietnam Golf Tourism

What should golf courses, resorts, and tour agents in Vietnam do to effectively promote their services and potential?

The high number of international golf visitors that Vietnam now receives means that the best promotion that golf tourism suppliers have at their fingertips is entirely free of charge! It is to ensure that every visitor enjoys the best possible experience during their visit to the country. Vietnam is now beyond its honeymoon period as a golf destination and golf tourism suppliers together with local and international tour operators, with the support of tourist boards, need to work together now more than ever before.

No other destination in Southeast Asia has more potential than Vietnam as a collection of multiple and varied golf destinations. Delivering the Experience will be the key to sustainable growth in high value golf tourism that can benefit the country and people working in the golf tourism industry enormously over the coming years.

AGTC 2025 (Asian Golf Tourism Convention)

• Time: March 30 – April 5, 2025
• Venue: Sheraton Grand Danang Resort & Convention Center
• Attendance: 430 delegates (increased by 30% since AGTC 2017), including:

• 350 international representatives from over 35 countries and territories
• 100 domestic delegates from Vietnam’s tourism and golf industries (grown by 60% since 2017)

• Pre-scheduled appointments: Over 4000 meetings between buyers and suppliers.

Key Components:

• Asia Golf Tourism Conference: A platform for industry professionals to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities in golf tourism.
• AGTC 2025 Golf Championship: A tournament showcasing some of the region's outstanding courses, including Laguna Golf Lang Co, Montgomerie Links, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club.
• Networking Events: Including a Welcome Reception, Gala Dinner, and Delegate Welcome Program, facilitating connections among global golf tourism leaders.