Hot Travel Trend in Asia: Golf tourism

Asian golf travel is on the upswing as global awareness about the unique golfing experiences, excellent value-for Sport-money, and world-class service quality continues to generate more and more interest in golf holidays throughout Asia.

The Eastern Seaboard is set get some new world-class golf courses. Construction progress at the new Siam Country Club Waterside Course is going well and once open in 2014 will mark the first 63 hole golf complex in Thailand. Moreover, two Pattaya golf courses have changed ownership this past month. The ever challenging Phoenix Golf & Country Club is now owned by Hemaraj, the large industrial estate company and the run down Rayong Century was bought by TCC Capital Land, a Thailand's land developer.

Khao Yai: Little known Mountain Creek Golf Resort is Thailand's only Seve Ballesteros designed track. Boasting 36 holes and an excellent clubhouse the course is some 20km past Khao Yai. If combined with some of the other areas course like Panorama Country Club, Rancho Charnvee Golf Club, and/or Toscana Valley Country Club, it could make for a great golf holiday away from the masses of tourists in the more established golf destinations.

Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur: At the super exclusive The Mines Resort & Golf Club (PGA Tour CIMB Classic and site of Tiger Woods' 1998 Asia Tour win) combined with golf at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (European Tour's Maybank Open), and Saujana Golf & Country Club (PGA, European Tour, and Asian Tour Malaysia Open) you just might have the highest quality championship golf trip of your life.

Langkawi: The Golf Club Datai Bay will re-open in December 2013. The old course is making way for a new Ernie Els designed course. When the new Datai Bay re-opens it could debut near the top of the Malaysian course rankings.

Vietnam
Nha Trang: After nearly 3 years in construction the full 18 at Diamond Bay Resort & Golf is open for play. Initial reports indicate some challenges ahead for Vietnam's newest 18, but nevertheless the second Nha Trang golf course is a most welcome addition to the golf scene. Nha Trang is now also a good alternative to Phan Thiet as accessibility, golf courses, and resorts are all superior.