Asian Golf Industry Federation Danang Conference highlights central Vietnam’s growing recognition as a golfing destination

The Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Danang Conference has focused on how the coastal city in central Vietnam is setting out to be recognised as one of the world’s most popular golfing destinations.

Held at the BRG Group-owned Sheraton Grand Hotel, the first edition of the AGIF Danang Conference, held from 29th to 31st August, was part of a week-long golfing festival during which BRG Da Nang Golf Resort hosted a 54-hole event on the Asian Development Tour, the Asian Tour’s feeder circuit.

Staged in conjunction with the BRG Group and Danang Tourism, the conference attracted more than 100 delegates from across Vietnam as well as from India, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Introducing the event, AGIF President, Chris Gray advised “as a not-for-profit organisation, the AGIF is motivated by bringing the industry together with a view to growing all aspects of golf in our region.

“And there could be nowhere better to do that than Vietnam, arguably the world’s fastest-growing and most dynamic emerging golfing market.”

During their welcome addresses, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, founder and Chairman of the BRG Group, expressed confidence about the future prospects for all elements of the Danang Golf Festival.

In addition to focusing on the state of golf in Vietnam and golf tourism recovery in the post-Covid 19 era, the topics of women in golf, and sustainability in golf course design, golf course maintenance and operations, featured on the agenda.

Speaking during the conference, Madame Nga outlined her ambitions for elevating Danang on the global golfing map, stating “although the Covid-19 pandemic affected many sectors and industries of Vietnam’s economy, including golf, I believe that these challenges cannot delay or deny the development of the golf industry in the future.

“Even during the period of interruption, we continued to construct new golf courses, such as our BRG Rose Canyon Golf Resort in Hanam that is due to open in December. Furthermore, we have taken advantage of quieter periods to renovate our older courses to ensure we can offer top conditions as golfers return to more normality and international travel.

“Therefore, I truly believe Vietnamese businesses, and golf businesses in particular, will soon recover and see strong growth in the near future. And the AGIF Danang Conference along with the Asian Development Tour event that we are hosting will be our significant contribution to that process and part of our corporate efforts to support Danang tourism.”

Madame Nga’s views were echoed by Khanh and Nguyen Xuan Binh, Deputy Director, Danang Department of Tourism.

In his presentation on ‘Golf Development in Vietnam and the Role of the Danang as a Golf Destination’, Binh told delegates that the number of golf courses in Vietnam would rise from 78 currently to 200 within the next five years.

He declared “we’re committed to hosting the Danang Golf Festival annually for the next three years as part of our overall Danang Fantastic City tourism program.

“We were excited to bring the Asian Development Tour to Danang for the first time and delighted that it was complemented by the AGIF Danang Conference, which brought golf experts and golf expertise to Danang.

“With the staging of the AGIF Danang Conference and the BRG Open Golf Championship we have helped to underline Danang’s growing tourism reputation in our bid to become the number one golfing destination in Asia.”

Madame Nga went on to say “golf is now playing an important role in attracting high-end tourists because Vietnam is a very exciting destination with many new and interesting things still to discover. With ancillary services supporting golfers, the number of international visitors coming to Vietnam through golf will bring a larger source of income, which will help drive the socio-economy where golf courses are located.”

Other speakers included Adam Calver, Laguna Golf Lang Co; David Dale, Golfplan; James Gordon, Profile Products; Chris Gray, The R&A; Andrew Johnston, Sentosa Golf Club; Eric Lynge, Sports Marketing Surveys Asia; Henry Ng, Sustane Natural Fertilizer; Nguyen Thai Duong, Vietnam Golf Association; Nguyen Xuan Binh, Danang Department of Tourism; Eric Pfeifer, Greg Norman Golf Course Design; Andrew Price, Toro; Karen Proctor, Textron Specialized Vehicles and Paul Stringer of Nicklaus Design.

Spencer Robinson, the AGIF’s Chief Communications Officer, acted as Master of Ceremonies and moderator for panel sessions.

Additional highlights of the week included a trade exhibition at which member companies of the AGIF, along with other golf-related organisations, showcased their wares, and the announcement of the launch of the AGIF’s Certificate in Greenkeeping program in Vietnam.

Announcing an ongoing commitment to grow its Danang Conference into the region’s premier gathering of the golfing industry, Gray added “the overwhelming feedback from our inaugural AGIF Danang Conference is that Asia needs a credible annual event that unites the industry,”

Gray went on to extend “thanks go to the BRG Group and Danang Tourism as well as gold sponsor Toro and silver sponsors John Deere and Rain Bird. Without their support, putting together the AGIF Danang Conference at such short notice would not have been possible.

“Based on the immediate feedback we’ve received from delegates, speakers and sponsors, we’re already looking at ways in which we can enhance the event in 2023 and make it more attractive.

“We firmly believe that the AGIF Danang Conference and the Danang Fantastic City tourism program will combine to unite the golf industry in Asia and establish themselves as ‘must attend’ events on the Asian golf industry calendar.”

Images: AGIF’s Chief Communications Officer, Spencer Robinson acted as Master of Ceremonies and moderator for panel sessions during the Danang Conference (top) and Madame Nguyen Thi Nga, founder and Chairman of the BRG Group addresses delegates (below).