Owners of Golf Courses Praise Ministry for Promoting Golf Tourism
Jakarta. The Indonesian Golf Course Owners Association, or APLGI, has positively responded to golf tourism promotion initiated by the Ministry of Tourism, its secretary general Feliks Hariyanto said on Tuesday (20/06).
"We are pleased to see the government's efforts in promoting Indonesian golf courses. We hope for the quality of the program to improve in adding more tourists annually," Feliks said.
APLGI has encouraged its members — 62 golf course owners — to obtain certifications to improve the quality of management and services.
The government requires all tourism businesses, including golf courses, to be certified. So far, five golf courses have obtain the ministerial certificates: Cengkareng Golf Club in Banten, Royal Sumatra Golf in North Sumatra, Permata Sentul Golf and Lotus Lakes Golf Club in West Java, andGolf Graha Famili in East Java.
According to one of the APLGI members, Indonesia has been recognized for professional golf courses and is currently competing with Malaysia and Vietnam in keeping up with Thailand — the king of Southeast Asia's golf tourism.
"Even tourists from Thailand and industry players have been amazed by our golf courses and good services," Visi Prima Golf marketing director Merry Kwan said, adding that foreign tourists arrival also have a positive impact on the property, entertainment and culinary sectors.
"Golf tourism has a high spending level. A trip may cost around $3,500," she added.
Tourism Minister Arief Yahya also sees the golf industry as a vital part of Indonesia's tourism sector, which will help in achieving the 20 million visits by 2019 target.
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