By FARIK ZOLKEPLI | Jan 18, 2010

Johor to attract golfers from Japan, China and South Korea

JOHOR BARU: The state will step up efforts to lure golfers to Johor to boost its sports tourism industry.

Johor Tourism Committee chairman Hoo Seong Chang said the state had 29 golf courses to offer.

“We are targeting golfers from Japan, China and South Korea. The first group of golfers from South Korea is expected to arrive by the end of the month,” he told a press conference here recently.

He also said that talks with Chinese and Japanese travel agents to promote golfing were going well.

“The sports tourism industry is growing in the region. We feel the state should capitalise on its golf courses to rejuvenate the tourism industry this year,” he said, adding that golfers from the three countries were the most likely to take up golfing holiday offers in Johor.

Hoo also announced that the committee would host the Johor Tourism Awards ceremony to honour industry players, local media, restaurants and hotel operators statewide.

“We will give out 16 awards in seven categories. The event at Persada Johor on Jan 26 will be launched by the Mentri Besar,” he said.

The categories are accommodation, restaurant/food outlet, tourism service, tourism product and programme, outstanding contributor, marketing and media, and best event organiser.

“The awards are our way of acknowledging those who have contributed to the growth of Johor tourism over the past year,” he said.