Bangkuai (left) sharing views with India’s leading golf educator Romit Bose on Sabah’s golf tourism potential.
KOTA KINABALU: Golf tour experts and enthusiasts from India who were in Sabah to explore courses with a unique landscape have found that the state has much more to offer.
The group of five touched down here on Tuesday (May 16) and were pleasantly surprised by the breathtaking scenery of the state capital and the warm reception received.
Tourism Malaysia had brought them here for a four-day familiarisation tour, which includes a dinner hosted by state Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister cum Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai on the first day of the itinerary.
During the dinner, the visitors shared their perspective on how Sabah's diverse offerings for vacationers could draw more visitors from India beyond golfers.
India's leading golf educator Romit Bose remarked that Sabah's opportunity was readily apparent, emphasising the availability of golf courses within a resort, hotel facilities, and the fantastic weather to play golf all year round.
"I run an academy in New Delhi, where I train golfers and nurture junior golfers who aspire to become pros so they can compete in tournaments.
“I can see Sabah as a tournament destination.
"Taking advantage of everything that Sabah offers, you should be able to attract between 300 and 500 junior golfers with their family members.
“To me, Sabah should be a destination for kids and their families," said the managing director of The Golfing Hub.
Diplomatic Travels managing director Mahender Pal Khanna acknowledged that the stunning natural beauty of Sabah's state capital alone was a draw, and that the existence of good wellness spas was an added plus for Indian tourists.
"From what I have experienced, Sabah is a fantastic destination with much more than just golf.
“The wedding industry is also significant to us, which you can tap into. I believe if we have direct flights from India, it will help bring multiple guests to Sabah," he added.
Members of the group also spoke about the potential of having direct chartered flights from India to Sabah in the near future.
The group's trip came about after a successful meeting between golf operators and federal Deputy Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan at the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (Satte) 2023 in India in February.
"We are thrilled to showcase Sabah's beautiful golf courses and attractions as a significant step in positioning the state as a premier golf destination for Indian travellers,” said Khairul Firdaus, who met the golfers at a luncheon earlier.
“Through collaborations with industry players and enhanced connectivity, we are confident that Sabah will captivate Indian golfers and contribute to Malaysia's tourism growth," he added.
Meanwhile, Bangkuai said Sabah hopes to offer a genuinely exotic golfing experience different from other destinations.
"We have some 20 golf courses surrounded by lush rainforests, mountains, and pristine beaches, providing a unique backdrop for golfers to enjoy while playing.
"We have been receiving quite a number of golfers coming to Sabah, and India is a new market for us.
“We hope to see more Indian golfers and their families in Sabah enjoying not only golfing but our rich cultural heritage.
"This cultural immersion adds another dimension to the golfing trip, making it a well-rounded experience that combines sport, nature, and cultural exploration," Bangkuai said.
The group is scheduled to play at the Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club here and the Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club in Tuaran, some 40km from here, during their familiarisation trip.
They would also visit the Nexus Golf Karambunai Resort in Sepanggar near here.
