Surabaya, 23 Oct. 2012 - Five golf courses and three hotels have joined the Golf Wonderful Indonesia cooperative, signaling the momentum and appeal of this new destination-marketing initiative and delivering on the promise of organizers to offer international golf holiday-makers premium stay-and-play options across the Archipelago.
Golf Wonderful Indonesia, a consortium of premium courses, hotels and lifestyle outlets, has gathered these tourism partners in order to assemble series of custom golf travel packages that leverage the country's unique standing as a golf destination. Those packages are available via the branded web portal, www.golfwonderfulindonesia.com, which also serves as a clearinghouse of information centered on golf and tourism activities in country.
In August, Golf Wonderful Indonesia launched the site and an initial set of packages, with Jakarta as a hub and starting point. Today it adds courses and hotels in and around the ancient city of Yogyakarta and the country's second city, Surabaya.
New golf course partners include:
* Taman Dayu Golf Club & Resort, in Surabaya, a stunning Jack Nicklaus design laid out at the foot of Mt. Welirang.
* Finna Golf, in Surabaya, designed by Australian legend Peter Thompson amid the lush, tropical highlands of East Java.
* Bukit Darmo Golf, another sterling Nicklaus effort, located just 10 minutes from Surabaya's city center.
* Merapi Golf & Mountain Resort, in Yogyakarta, designed by Thompson some 800 meters above sea level and ringed by volcanic peaks.
* Borobudur International Golf & Country Club, in Yogyakarta, laid out by Douglas Duncanson next door to the famed 9th-century Mahayana Buddhist monument for which the club is named.
New Golf Wonderful hotel partners include:
* The Majapahit Hotel Surabaya, an historic 5-star property founded in 1910 by the Sarkies family, whose collection of grand hotels included Raffles in Singapore, The Strand in Rangoon, and The Eastern & Oriental in Penang.
* The Hyatt Regency Yogyakarta, an elegant 5-star property set amid 24 hectares of beautifully landscaped gardens on the outskirts of the city, the cultural heart of Java.
* The JW Marriott Surabaya, a gleamingly modern, 5-star high-rise whose 25 floors look out upon the city's most fashionable shopping district.
Golf tour packages to Surabaya and Yogyakarta, incorporating the new Golf Wonderful properties above, will be released by the end of October and posted at www.golfwonderfulindonesia.com, according to Harmony Le Riche, president director of PT Panorama Wisata Nusantara, the tour operator managing all in-bound traffic for Golf Wonderful Indonesia.
"Our efforts here differ from those of typical destination marketing and golf tour-packaging efforts in that the golf courses are already here -- some 170 of them -- and golf aficionados acknowledge the cream of the crop to be among the best resort tracks in Asia-Pacific," said Le Riche.
"Golf Wonderful is determined to bring in the pick of that litter as course partners, and this new group of courses in Yogyakarta and Surabaya certainly meet that high standard. Interest from top courses and hotels -- in the 4- and 5-star categories -- has been exceptionally high. We expect to announce partnerships by the start of 2013 that enable golfers to choose and customize itineraries from combinations of courses and hotels in Jakarta, Bogor, Surabaya, Yogyakarta, Bandung and Bali."
Le Riche noted the Golf Wonderful Indonesia (GWI) brand clearly displays the strong support and partnership it enjoys from the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism, whose overarching slogan is "Wonderful Indonesia". National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia is another GWI partner - the airline is now flying golf clubs free of charge.
That said, privately owned entities form the remainder of consortium membership, which also includes restaurants (for example, Negev, Jakarta's hottest new bistro) and golf teaching facilities (the Leadbetter Golf Academy at Cengkareng Golf Club).
Tour operator PT Panorama Wisata Nusantara has secured from all of its partners special rates enabling remarkably affordable and flexible packages available only through Golf Wonderful Indonesia.
"It's important that golfers and our fellow tour operators and travel agents understand how this works," said Le Riche. "We have secured exclusive rates with our partner courses and hotels, enabling extremely affordable packages that we intend to sell directly to golfers through golfwonderfulindonesia.com. That said, we fully expect and welcome international tour operators and travel agents to partner with us in the selling of these packages, as well, because PT Panorama Wisata Nusantara will handle all logistics on the ground here in Jakarta and across Indonesia.
"We can guarantee the quality of the Golf Wonderful Indonesia experience, the reliability of our transport, our logistics and local knowledge. But flexibility is also paramount. That's why we've provided a range of hotel partners to suit the budgets of various traveling golfers. We also recognize there is life outside golf -- we're eager to customize packages to enable golfing tourists the chance to experience all that Indonesia has to offer, from Jakarta to East Java, from Yogyakarta to Bali."
The website, www.golfwonderfulindonesia.com, is not merely the definitive source of information on golf in Indonesia. It is complemented by interactive media components including the Golf Wonderful Blog (recent items include a court victory ensuring that taxes burdens on Indonesian golf courses -- and resulting green fees -- will remain low), the GWI Facebook page (www.facebook.com/golfwonderfulindonesia) and Twitter account (follow GWI @golfwonderful).
For more information on Golf Wonderful Indonesia, contact PT Panorama Wisata Nusantara at +62 21.536.4469 or drop an email to info@golfwonderfulindonesia.com
Showing posts with label Java. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Java. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Indonesia's Tourism Minister To Speak At Asia Pacific Golf Summit
"We are very pleased to have a person of Mrs. Pangestu's standing to address the Summit this year and coming from the largest economy in Southeast Asia, is a clear indication as to the importance that Indonesia attaches to the golf industry," said Mike Sebastian, chief executive officer of the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the owner and producer of the Summit.
Mrs. Pangestu will deliver her address on the opening day of the Summit which will be on December 11. "It is really an honour for us to be able to play host to not only one of Indonesia's most senior ministers but also a leader who is recognised throughout the region for her ability to lead and deliver results," pointed out Sebastian.
More than 60 world-class speakers and panellists have already been confirmed to take part in APGS 2012.
Indonesia Gets Focused on Golf Tourism
If there is one country in Asia that is awakening to the game of golf and the role that it can play in promoting tourism, it has got to be the Republic of Indonesia. It has been a nation that has been flying below the international golf radar for quite a while but all of a sudden, golf has shot into the forefront of tourism promotion.
It's the big buzz word amongst stake-holders of the game in the country and the importance of golf tourism has taken a whole new meaning. It is regarded as of the "pillars of tourism" and the programme to drive Indonesia up the ladder of great golf destinations is being spearheaded by the Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Mrs. Mari Elka Pangestu.
Mrs. Pangestu takes over this challenging portfolio after having has a very successful stint as the nation's Minister of Trade. In appointing her, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said, "I trust Mari Pangestu to lead the ministry and I want, in the next three years, to develop tourism and the creative economy."
Being the target-driven person that she is, Mrs. Pangestu has taken the bull by the horns and is determined to deliver the results that are expected of her. "I have drawn up a three-year master plan to develop a road map that will help us develop and grow golf tourism in the country," she emphasised.
In a discussion with the Asia Pacific Golf Group, the new tourism supremo declared, "From a base of some 20,000 golf tourists who come to Indonesia, my aim is to grow this number ten times over in the next three years". A truly bold statement that is just not political rhetoric. This is a lady who is realistic and who understands the challenges that she has to work against to achieve her goal. She has the vision and the intellect to get the job done – after all, before she ascended to a ministerial post, she was the executive director at the Jakarta-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies.
"We have all of the essential ingredients for success already in place," she explained. "We have some 162 golf courses in the country and most of our courses are really wonderful – a visitor can play golf in a myriad of settings – by spectacular volcanoes, by stunning oceans capes and spell-binding rainforests". "Combined with our rich culture, the warmth of the Indonesian people and the delectable variety of exotic food, Indonesia is a veritable showcase for golf," Mrs. Pangestu pointed out. To make her point, she singled out the Jagorawi toll road, a 59-kilometre stretch of highway that is dotted with 17 world-class golf courses. "Where else in Asia can one find a lay-out like this!" After having taken her advice and driven through this thoroughfare, one must admit that Jagorawi is indeed a "highway to golfing heaven".
A keen golfer herself, Mrs. Pangestu has adopted a highly holistic plan that will involve a number of regions within the sprawling archipelago of 13466 islands to develop golf tourism. "We have Jakarta, Bali and the islands of Batam and Bintan in the Riau archipelago and we plan to improve all of the supporting infrastructure around these destinations and to transform these centres into golfing havens," the Minister said.
Given her focus, drive and determination, there is absolutely nothing that can come in the way of Mrs. Pangestu as she pushes ahead to transform the Indonesian Republic into one of Asia's top golf tourism destinations.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Exotissimo Launch New Golf Packages
Exotissimo Travel improves golf portfolio with new packages that team culture and relaxation with some of the most visually striking courses on the planet.
Premier Travel Company Exotissimo Travel have announced the launch of a number of new golf tours. Adding a twist to a Southeast Asia itinerary, the savvy golfer will testify to have been frequenting destinations not traditionally known for golf such as Cambodia and Yangon for some time.
Now, as the industry begins to gather pace Southeast Asia is fast building up a reputation as a golfing hub. With a host of world-class courses, affordable prices, impeccable service, first-rate accommodation and few crowds, it is not hard to see why.
Group Product Manager Louise Nathan said, “Southeast Asia truly is a golfer’s paradise. Great beaches and adventure pursuits you might equate with the region but not necessarily golf, which means the courses are relatively unsaturated. Our packages offer a unique combination of sightseeing, cultural exploration and time to relax and appreciate the quality spa treatments to be had here.”
Ideally, a golf tour in Southeast Asia should also offer travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves within the local culture and appreciate the heritage and traditions that make the place, as is the case with Angkor Golf Week in Siem Reap. While this is a town rightfully known for being the home to the magnificent Angkor temples, on this program participants can explore a well balanced itinerary that incorporates sightseeing alongside, boat trips, fine dining and a dynamic golfing itinerary.
Indonesia an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is vast and vivid with huge scope for a world-class golfing adventure through an epic landscape. On this day Indonesia Golf Tour participants will traverse the wonders of Java and Bali as they tee off amid mountains, crater lakes and ancient forests. Delve into the ancient wonders of the country with visits to ancient temples as well to local markets and some of the regions top tables. Starting in Jogjakarta, you’ll have time to explore Java before jetting off to the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud, before finishing on the south island beaches.
The perfect way to begin or conclude a Thailand tour, the Golf Package at Kirimaya, Khao Yai offers a less strenuous approach to the game, balancing an itinerary of golf and relaxation. Over 3-days travelers can soak up the cool, clean air of Thailand’s wine region, tee off on an 18-hole course and explore the country’s first national park.
Myanmar commonly referred to as ‘The Golden Land’ has ample scope for a good round of golf. On this day tour you will tee off at the Yangon Golf Club. Play a full 18 holes on an international-standard course, designed by professional golfer Gary Player. Opened in 1999, the greens are well-maintained and the course offers enough variety to challenge golfers of all levels.
From eTravel Blackboard
Premier Travel Company Exotissimo Travel have announced the launch of a number of new golf tours. Adding a twist to a Southeast Asia itinerary, the savvy golfer will testify to have been frequenting destinations not traditionally known for golf such as Cambodia and Yangon for some time.
Now, as the industry begins to gather pace Southeast Asia is fast building up a reputation as a golfing hub. With a host of world-class courses, affordable prices, impeccable service, first-rate accommodation and few crowds, it is not hard to see why.
Group Product Manager Louise Nathan said, “Southeast Asia truly is a golfer’s paradise. Great beaches and adventure pursuits you might equate with the region but not necessarily golf, which means the courses are relatively unsaturated. Our packages offer a unique combination of sightseeing, cultural exploration and time to relax and appreciate the quality spa treatments to be had here.”
Ideally, a golf tour in Southeast Asia should also offer travelers the opportunity to immerse themselves within the local culture and appreciate the heritage and traditions that make the place, as is the case with Angkor Golf Week in Siem Reap. While this is a town rightfully known for being the home to the magnificent Angkor temples, on this program participants can explore a well balanced itinerary that incorporates sightseeing alongside, boat trips, fine dining and a dynamic golfing itinerary.
Indonesia an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is vast and vivid with huge scope for a world-class golfing adventure through an epic landscape. On this day Indonesia Golf Tour participants will traverse the wonders of Java and Bali as they tee off amid mountains, crater lakes and ancient forests. Delve into the ancient wonders of the country with visits to ancient temples as well to local markets and some of the regions top tables. Starting in Jogjakarta, you’ll have time to explore Java before jetting off to the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud, before finishing on the south island beaches.
The perfect way to begin or conclude a Thailand tour, the Golf Package at Kirimaya, Khao Yai offers a less strenuous approach to the game, balancing an itinerary of golf and relaxation. Over 3-days travelers can soak up the cool, clean air of Thailand’s wine region, tee off on an 18-hole course and explore the country’s first national park.
Myanmar commonly referred to as ‘The Golden Land’ has ample scope for a good round of golf. On this day tour you will tee off at the Yangon Golf Club. Play a full 18 holes on an international-standard course, designed by professional golfer Gary Player. Opened in 1999, the greens are well-maintained and the course offers enough variety to challenge golfers of all levels.
From eTravel Blackboard
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