Back in February I had already written about the golf tourism opportunities of Malaysia. Since then IAGTO published its Golf Tourism 2013 report that shows growing demand for Malaysian golf courses. Malaysia became the 15th in importance to IAGTO golf tour operators. Malaysia is the 2nd most preferred golf tourism destination in the region after Thailand. I think they could utilize much better their proximity to Singapore, a international business and tourism hub.
Why am I highlighting this?
In February I wrote that Ernie Els had just built 2 golf courses in Malaysia: a 18-hole championship course at Teluk Datai located on the island of Langkawi and a 27-hole design at the highly-anticipated Desaru Coast, located on the South China Sea in south eastern Johor.
I think the Malaysian government is thinking in the same way as I do regarding golf tourism. Destination Resorts and Hotels (DRH) supported by the investment arm of the Malaysian government, will present in World Travel Market (WTM) in ExCel London from 4 – 7 November 2013, Ernie Els' golf clubs. Ernie Els partnered with Destination Resorts and Hotels to strategically design and build three championship golf courses in Malaysia.
Although Els Teluk Datai Course will be opened only by February 2014 (in an island in the northern state of Peninsular Malaysia in Langkawi) Destination Resorts and Hotels will present it in the next World Travel Market exhibition in London. Els Teluk Datai golf course will be by the way an 18-hole championship golf course. The golf course will be managed by Troon Golf.
