Hanoi: Hanoi is believed to hold rich potential for golf tourism, and it is taking various measures to tackle challenges and turn this type of tourism into its signature travel products.
The capital city is currently home to five golf courses and about 10 golf training sites. The system of accommodation facilities is relatively diverse and professional, including modern four- and five-star hotels of such brands as JW Marriot, Sheraton, and Metropole, according to the municipal Tourism Department.
Deputy Director of the Tourism Department Nguyen Hong Minh said golf tourism is one of highly potential luxury tourism products of Vietnam, including Hanoi, helping attract the travellers who are ready to spend big, particularly international ones.
Surveys show that local golf courses are all large, professional, and up to international standard with diverse and beautiful landscapes. Many have attracted players from nationwide, he noted, adding that this is an advantage of Hanoi.
Sharing the view, Standing Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Golf Association Pham Thanh Tri said golf tourism is helping increase travel earnings for the country in general and Hanoi in particular, especially from visitors from such key markets as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, the US, and Europe.
At recent workshops and discussions, experts pointed out that the modest number of golf courses and high expenses have made Hanoi not charming enough in the eyes of domestic golf tourists. Meanwhile, most of the courses are still operating independently and lack connectivity with one another or travel companies. A shortage of high-quality manpower with golf knowledge is also a hindrance to the courses’ operations, the Ha Noi Moi (New Hanoi) daily reported.
