THE COVID-19 pandemic held back travellers, but a global resurgence in tourism, especially among golf travellers, has exceeded all expectations according to Go Golfing founder, Peter McCarthy.
Go Golfing is Australia’s largest and most awarded golf travel company. In fact, Go Golfing was recently awarded Best Golf Tour Operator at the prestigious World Golf Awards in Portugal. A trusted industry leader and sought-after speaker at global golf tourism conventions, Mr McCarthy shared his insights into what’s driving the golf tourism, the most popular golf hotspots and which destinations are set to boom.
“The explosion in golf travel numbers is a global phenomenon. Post pandemic, our bookings have doubled and upwards of 10,000 golfers have booked an international golf trip with Go Golfing in 2025. That number will swell to more than 12,000 in 2026. From the time governments announced we could use our passports again, demand soared, not just to traditional golfing hotspots, but to all corners of the globe.”
In 2019 Go Golfing hosted golfers in 16 countries. Such was the global demand, Go Golfing’s hosted tournaments, golf tours and golf cruises now span 35 countries — more than any other golf travel company in the world.
South-east Asia is leading the way. Thailand is number one, with 1.1 million golf visitors in 2024, a trend supported by Go Golfing who booked 2,600 golfers to the ‘Land of Smiles’. Second on the Go Golfing leaderboard is Vietnam with 1,200 travellers for the year. Da Nang in central Vietnam, Asia’s fastest growing golf hotspot, accounted for 70% of golf travellers to Vietnam. Rounding out the top three is Japan, which doesn’t surprise considering one million Australians travelled to Japan this year, a 50% increase on the previous year.
Sticking with south-east Asia, McCarthy is of the opinion that Malaysia, Philippines and Cambodia are now well positioned to attract golf travellers. “These destinations now boast a cluster of world-class golf courses in close proximity to idyllic tourist locales. They deliver what golfers want. And that is short travel times to quality courses, accessibility to preferred tee times and the joy of playing in carts with attentive caddies. Golfers seeking more ‘bang for buck’ will be enticed by the value offered in Malaysia, Philippines and Cambodia. Hotels, green fees, transport and spend on food, beverage and tourism experiences is roughly 30% cheaper than their more favoured neighbours.”
It is this ‘value for money’ McCarthy believes will underpin a significant uplift in golf travel bookings to south-east Asia in the next three years. Tourism boards have recognised the economic benefits of attracting golf travellers.
GOLF TRAVEL IS BOOMING!
What’s the most popular and best value destinations?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand were the first tourist board to make golf a cornerstone of its tourism strategy. It has paid handsome dividends with a reported $2 billion annual injection from golf travellers. Later to the party, Tourism Malaysia and Philippines Tourism are actively developing their golf infrastructure and marketing efforts and are now making a major play to lure golf travellers, especially from Australia.
Tourism Malaysia have appointed Go Golfing to showcase Malaysia’s golf and tourism assets to Aussie golfers. In a vote of confidence, Kuala Lumpur has been added to Go Golfing’s series of highprofile World Masters Golf Championship events in 2026. More than 4,000 club golfers from around the world already attend World Masters Golf events in Australia, NZ, Fiji, Thailand and Vietnam.
The inaugural Malaysian Masters will take place from 22-28 November 2026. More than 200 golfers from Australia are expected to join golfers from around the globe for a week of golf, competition, big prizes and nightly entertainment events.
Major events like the CIMB Classic and Maybank Championship, part of the PGA and European Tours, already showcase Malaysia’s golf courses to a global audience. The Malaysian Masters will see club golfers tee off on the top four ranked courses: Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, Saujana, Kota Permai and Tropicana.
By far the best-value package in the World Masters Golf event series, the all-inclusive event package with 6 nights at Parkroyal, 4 rounds and all event inclusions is US$1,190 per person . There’s a further US$100 discount if booked before 15 January.
“There is a strong desire to travel to new destinations, see the sights, include adventure, cultural immersion, and of course play the top courses,” McCarthy added.
“The golf travel offering and experience has never been better. Golf is being played in record numbers, economic confidence is high and baby boomers are treating themselves to international travel in record numbers. Business is good, real good!”
Check out what Go Golfing can deliver for golf travellers like you at www.GoGolfing.com.au
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