The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) hosted the Thailand Golf Travel Mart 2026, uniting 49 international buyer companies with 63 Thai sellers at Topgolf Megacity in Bangna on September 15. The event served as the centerpiece of TAT’s annual B2B marketplace, designed to connect global golf travel specialists with Thailand’s golf and tourism industry.
Expanding Golf Beyond the Course
The event emphasized Thailand’s strategy to position golf as part of a broader travel experience. Under the “Healing is the New Luxury” theme, TAT highlighted how golf could be paired with wellness, gastronomy, culture, and shopping to create immersive itineraries. Kittipong Prapattong, TAT Deputy Governor for Digitalisation, Research, and Development, noted that the event provided direct access to courses, resorts, and operators capable of designing these experiences.
Thailand’s golf offerings were categorized into four regional settings: the North, featuring highland courses amid valleys and mountains; the South, combining coastal links with wellness; the Northeast, shaped by reservoirs and river plains; and the Central Plains and Eastern Seaboard, home to championship and resort courses. With over 250 golf courses nationwide, Thailand offers year-round play, supported by improving transport links, including road networks and U-Tapao International Airport.
While Thailand’s golf industry has long relied on high-end visitors, the shift toward multi-experience travel reflects a broader trend in tourism. Countries like Spain and South Korea have successfully integrated golf with cultural and wellness offerings, proving that the sport’s appeal extends beyond the fairways. Thailand’s approach now mirrors these models, aiming to attract a wider range of travelers by bundling golf with local traditions and amenities.
A Focus on Business and Networking
The event included pre-arranged business meetings, free-flow trade discussions, and a Thailand golf tourism product update. Buyers from North America, Europe, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Northeast Asia engaged with sellers representing golf courses, hotels, resorts, and tourism operators. The afternoon featured scheduled appointments alongside informal networking, allowing participants to explore partnerships and new market opportunities.
A dedicated media product-testing program showcased innovations in golf technology, driving-range solutions, green-energy carts, and wellness services. The day concluded with a networking function at Topgolf Megacity, while the event kicked off the prior evening with a Networking Golf Tournament at The Royal Gems Golf and Sports Club. The tournament, using the System 36 scoring format, included prizes supported by brands like Bangkok Airways and Golfdigg.