RM1.05 bil revenue expected from golf tourism this year

Picture by Edmund Samunting/nstp

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia is expected a revenue of RM1.05 billion from golf tourism with 350,000 players coming to the country this year. 

Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Ahmad Shah Hussein Tambakau said that the expected figure is possible with additional of 10,000 golfers coming in as compared to last year.

"For 2018, the country has attracted an estimate of 340,000 players that brought in about RM1.02 billion. 

"If you look at incomes generated by golf tourism, it is a huge market as it contributes a lot to total revenue of RM84 billion ringgit for the country," he said during the press conference of World Amateur Golfers Championship. 

Ahmad Shah added that there is more to be done to lure more golfers especially from European countries. 

For now,  golfers that come to Malaysia are from Singapore, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea.

Present were Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment minister Datuk Christina Liew, Sabah Youth and Sports minister Ginger Phoong, World Amateur Golfers Championship president Isac Saminathan and Chairman Datuk Nils Nordh and Perodua Sales Sdn Bhd Managing director Datuk Dr Zahari Husin.

Liew said that the upcoming World Amateur Golfers Championship will be held between Oct 19 and 26 which will see about 450 golfers taking part in the tournament.  

"During the period, national teams from over 40 countries from North, Central and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania will be competing at four top golf courses in Kota Kinabalu. 

"There competing teams will be accompanied by an entourage of supporters, friends and family members. I believe that would boost visitor arrivals and tourism receipts in Sabah,"she said.