Globally, the tourism industry alone has had such a pathetic impact on the unforeseen pandemic. Even after the 3 long years gap, when the whole world begins to spring from its Rip Wan Winkles sleep, the industry is still in a numb phase. However, it may not go unnoticed the rays of hope emitting from various corners as well.
Post-pandemic tourism demands new trends in tourism, in the areas of professionalism, quality maintenance and novel ideas. Many new steps in the industry are noticed, yet a lot more unnoticed. Besides being tourism a leisure and culture-oriented sector, primarily it is an economic activity. Attracting high-spending tourists can bring back the glories of the golden past. Golf Tourism is one of such categories of tourism, which is a lesser-known tourism segment in South India that has the potential to attract high-spending international tourists.
Rene and Magdalena Rinderknecht from Switzerland are keen golf lovers who visited Kerala as a part of their Indian trip. Their off-the-beaten-track visits are a perfect blend of holidays with golf plays. During their twelve-day-long North Indian trip, they visited major destinations along with finding ample time to experience playing golf at the various golf courses of New Delhi, Agra and Rambhargh. On their 14-day-long South Indian Trip, they found enough time to play golf in Bangalore, Ooty and Cochin. In Kerala, they played at CIAL Golf Course, the tropical destination of their itinerary.
Rinderknecht Family has played golf for more than a score of years. Rene is a member of the international golf club as well. Till now they have visited 20 countries to play golf. Canada, nine European countries, and ten Asian countries including China, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia etc, and now India as their twentieth country to play golf. “Playing golf is our passionate entertainment and we are not practising it as a sport. Hence, we have not yet participated in any competitions,” said Rene about their experiments with golfing in different countries.
Rene’s enduring passion for golf made him the custodian of a golf course that stretches about 40 hectors with its 580 active members in Switzerland. “Once upon a time, it was the game of the elite class and a sign of pride. Now the scenario has changed and people of all walks of life can play Golf,” said Rene. His observation doesn’t spare the presence of the Indian noble class in playing golf as a matter of pride. According to the Family, Cochin CIAL Golf Course is the best-organized and well-maintained golf course in comparison to the other places they have played golf in India.
Magdalena observes “There are two different kinds of international golf players, one kind visits various destinations only to play golf. The second category mixes their holidays with golf destinations. Though in our list of South Indian destinations, there are only three places with golf playing facilities – Bangalore, Ooty and Cochin – other destinations like Kabani, Thekkady, Kerala Backwaters, and Marari Beach add additional charm to our vacations”. Their stay was in the most expensive and exotic resorts in South India like Evolve Back in Kabini, Fern Hill Palace / Taj Savoy in Ooty, in Kerala were all in the CGH Earth Group Resorts.
Green Golf Reisen AG, the Swiss tour operator headed by Philip Renold, arranged their golf tour merged with Holidays. For 20 years Green Golf Reisen AG based in Luzern is the leading international golf travel specialist in Switzerland. They plan and organize golf tours and connect golf with holidays worldwide, according to the interests of clients. Their databank of global golf courses is immense, which equips Green Golf Reisen AG to enable golf enthusiasts to attend international golf tournaments and various competitions. Their Indian counterpart is Manish Singh, Senior Manager, who belongs to Earthen Experiences LLP, based in New Delhi, a specialized and professional Destination Management Company. “We met their demand of “Golf with Holidays” by combining the Indian golf courses with unique holiday experiences of north and south Indian destinations”, says Maneesh.
Mathan Paramanandam, Business Manager of South Tourism, with its head office in Tiruchirappally (Trichy) do all the ground arrangements in South India. “Comparatively we have a smaller number of golf courses in South India, though they are the best ones in India itself, especially the ones in Ooty (Ootacamund Gymkhana Club) and Cochin (CIAL). The CIAL Golf Course in Cochin meets the highest international standards. We expect such industry experiences to open up new arenas to fit the new tourism world,” opines Mathan. ” South India can be promoted as an Exotic Golf Destination. Especially Kerala’s share is there if utilizing the maximum possibilities of golf fields at Cochin and Trivandrum”, Mathan adds.
“Apart from facilitating the regular Golfers of the Club and conducting periodical Golf Tournaments, we are also providing required services to the Foreign Golfers who pay their visits as Guest Players in Ooty Golf Course”, said Christina from Ootacamund Gymkhana Club.
Ajai Kumar K S (one of the writers of this article), a German-speaking professional Guide/ Tour Leader belonging to the Ministry of Tourism-Govt of India, has executed and led the fourteen-day-long South Indian Tour by accompanying the clients to handle the academic and linguistic aspects.
When the aforesaid agents handle the Swiss clients, the German golf tourists are targeted by Distinct Destination Pvt Ltd. based in New Delhi. “The new tourism world needs novel concepts to attract the new tourists. Probably a new term “Sports Tourism” is emerging. In response to our marketing strategies, we are getting enquiries for Golf Tours and Tennis Tours to India. Hopefully, we will realise our Golf Tours from April onward. We are very keen on promoting Golf Tourism that brings Luxurious Tourists as we want to be the new trendsetters”, says Vimalkumar Ayyappan – the south Indian Head of Distinct Destination Pvt Ltd.
While El- Dorado is the “Gold-land”, Switzerland is a “Golf-land” having 96 golf courses, with 80 thousand serious Golf players. Through golf promotion for international players Switzerland earn more than 05 million US Dollars per annum. Mallorca Island, off the Mediterranean Sea in the neighbourhood of Spain, possess 20 golf courses in an area of 2800 miles and is a haven for international golf players with many golf tourist resorts meant for a year-round active tourist season.
Kerala tourism industry can promote golf tours to attract the high spending international tourists by turning this green state into a golf destination. Golf-playing facilities can add one more attraction to all the already existing Unique Selling Products (USP) of Kerala as a tourist destination. In such a way Kerala can be sold as a hot cake in the Post-pandemic Scenario. Through well-managed implementation and serious marketing, Green Kerala has all the possibilities. In the present scenario, all its four International Airports and the related amenities can be effectively utilized to attract tourists which can bring an immense amount of Foreign Exchange to the nation.
Primarily, a great deal of marketing is needed for the CIAL Golf Course, which is located only a few meters away from the Cochin International Airport. Presently the existing Golf Courses in Bolgatty Island which was founded in 1922 and the Trivandrum Golf Courses which have over a century’s tales to tell can also be promoted along with the CIAL Golf Course. Though Cochin has the Naval Golf Course as well with its 18 holes, it is not yet meant for civilian golfers. Over time, many other golf courses can be introduced in the public or private sectors along the suitable spots of the state. In the near future, Kerala can be a “Golf’s Own Country”.
by AJAI KUMAR K S / SRIDEVI NARAYANAN Photo: MANOJ VASUDEVAN
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