"Overseas Golf Trips to the Philippines... 4 out of 10 Went Last Year"

Analysis of Kyowon Tour 'Yeohaeiji' Last Year's Booking Rates
Philippines Clark Tops at 39%
Overall Southeast Asia Visits Dominate at 76%

Since last year, as overseas golf travel has regained momentum, a survey revealed that 4 out of 10 domestic golfers chose the Philippines as their preferred destination for a good round.

A panoramic view of Mimosa CC in Clark, Philippines, well known as a golf course highly praised by Tiger Woods
[Photo by Kyowon Tour]

Kyowon Tour's travel brand 'Travel Easy' announced on the 3rd that an analysis of domestic golfers' overseas golf travel trends last year showed that Clark, Philippines ranked first in both country and city categories with a reservation rate of 39%. This was followed by Saipan at 23%, Da Nang, Vietnam at 13%, Nha Trang, Vietnam at 11%, and Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia at 6%. Among all golf travel destinations, Southeast Asia accounted for an overwhelming 76% of reservations.

A Kyowon Tour official explained, "Although the overseas golf travel market was blocked due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we took this as an opportunity to actively secure infrastructure such as local resorts and golf courses in Clark, Philippines. After securing golf resorts with convenient access and excellent courses, we introduced competitively priced products, resulting in increased usage."

Saipan was identified as a highly preferred region due to its active participation in the 'Travel Bubble' agreement and its conditions that allow visitors to enjoy both relaxation and golf simultaneously. The 'No Quarantine Saipan Travel' product launched by Travel Easy on home shopping in February last year recorded 6,700 reservations within one hour of sales.

Travel Easy's overseas golf travel product reservation rates saw significant quarterly increases last year. The second quarter of 2022 recorded a 47% increase compared to the previous quarter, the third quarter 271%, and the fourth quarter 194%. When focusing on the second half of the year, as popular travel countries gradually lifted entry restrictions, reservation rates soared about four times compared to the first half.

Targeting overseas golf travelers, Travel Easy established an overseas golf team in July 2021 and pursued differentiated product development. A representative product is the 'Daily 36 Holes' package, which allows golfers to enjoy unlimited rounds during their stay. This year, they will also launch a 'Saipan Golf Tour' package in collaboration with the Mariana Tourism Board. In March, an amateur golf tournament is scheduled to be held in Da Nang, Vietnam.