Malaysia tourism and travel agency officials have signed a memorandum of understanding at the Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap to boost golf tourism in Malaysia and Cambodia.
Signatories to the MoU were Sao Ratha, marketing manager of Tourism Malaysia; Ng Eu Shen, general manager of Liberty Golf Services; Candra Tanpatti, general manager of PSD Travel; and Adam Robertson, general manager of the Angkor Golf Resort.
The main understanding of the agreement is to lay the foundations for a closely coordinated and phased process on cross-marketing and promotion of Cambodian and Malaysian golf destinations.
According to Adam Robertson, this essentially means that more “brand awareness” of Cambodian golfing will be developed in Malaysia.
“In return, there will be more visibility for Cambodians and expatriates to take their golf vacation in Malaysia,” Robertson added.
He said Kuala Lumpur-based Liberty Travel was “looking at promoting Siem Reap as an alternative golf destination to corporate golf planners and blue-chip companies for a truly unique golf experience.”
There are about 400,000 golfers in Malaysia, at least 100,000 of whom take a golf holiday each year, and last year Liberty Golf Services sent about 300 golfers to the Angkor Golf Resort.
“This figure should increase with the co-operation of Liberty, based in KL, PSD, based in Siem Reap, and a world-class golf course in the Angkor Golf Resort,” Robertson said.
Initially, Cambodia has more to gain than Malaysia from the deal in terms of visiting golfers, but this will level out as golfing catches on in the Kingdom.
“It is estimated that there in the region of 2000 golfers in Cambodia,” Robertson said.
“Although golf here is in its infancy, there is scope for those wishing to play in Malaysia to do just that. PSD Travel can provide tailor-made golf packages here in Cambodia.”
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