Fam tour big boost to Phl golf

MANILA, Philippines - Golfing media delegates from 10 countries lauded the recent familiarization tour hosted by the Association for Inbound Golf Tourism Philippines (AIGTP) Inc. and the Tourism Promotions Board aimed at promoting and boosting Philippine golf tourism.

“The golf media familiarization tour came at a very opportune time when the Philippines has started to pick up on golf tourism arrivals,” said AIGTP president Connie Mamaril. “In fact, the first quarter of 2015 expects an influx of golfers from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Australia and the US.”

Mamaril also cited the TPB’s all-out support in promoting Philippine golf tourism, saying the AIGTP is optimistic that Visit Philippines 2015 will likewise be a showcase of the Philippines as the next golfing destination in Asia.

Thirteen delegates, including 11 media golf writers and editors from Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and the US, tackled the Eagle Ridge, Mt. Malarayat, Valley Golf, South Forbes, and Tagaytay Midlands and Highlands courses and the Fairways and Bluewater in Boracay and were all impressed with some of the country’s championship courses.

The delegation also included two Tour operators tasked to bring groups to various destinations here.

The six-day fam tour was also held to send out the It’s More Fun in the Philippines experience to both golfers and non-golfers alike. It also served as a prelude to the country’s bid to host a major international event – the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) in 2016.

Other backers of the event were the Bay Leaf in Intramuros, the Bel-Air Bus and Regent Travel.

For details, visit www.golftourismph.com <http://www.golftourismph.com/> .