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Welcome to Asia's Best Golf Holidays
Welcome to the December 2020 edition of Golfasian’s “The Asian Golf Insider”, your go to source for the latest Asian golf travel insider news and updates.
This has certainly been a difficult year for the world as we deal with this devastating pandemic that we are all facing in our daily lives. The positive news of the vaccine trials is promising and gives us a glimmer of hope that we can start a recovery in 2021.
Most Asian countries have not opened their borders to tourism. Thailand has recently launched a new Tourist Visa (TR) but still requires a 14-day quarantine before being able to move about freely. We hope that countries will start to ease these restrictions soon. More details on this in the COVID updates below.
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We are excited to share that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is allowing tourist without quarantine restrictions. The UAE is becoming one of the fastest growing golf destinations and home to many European tour events. Hotels and Golf Courses in Dubai & Abu Dhabi are amazing - some of the best in the world. The weather in UAE is perfect for golf in these next few months with daily highs between 24-26C and nightly lows between 14-16C. Please click on UAE Golf packages to see some of our hand selected golf packages that are all fully customizable.
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We are gearing up to welcome you back to Asia in 2021 and 2022. The Golfasian team wish you and your families a happy festive season. Please stay safe and social distance.
For updates on each country covid-19 situation, please scroll down. This information will be updated weekly so you can check back for the latest news at www.golfasian.com.
Stay safe and thank you all for the continued support,
Mark Siegel, Managing Director
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Troon®, the leader in club management, development, and marketing, is delighted to announce the opening of the second Sir Nick Faldo designed Championship Course at Vattanac Golf Resort in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The newly opened ‘West Course’ will also be managed by Troon International, the international operating division of Troon, who were brought in by Mr. Vattanac six months ago.
The opening of the “West Course” aligns with the “East Course” being recognized as ‘Cambodia’s Best Golf Course’ at the recent World Golf Awards. The World Golf Awards celebrates and rewards excellence in golf and is part of the World Travel Awards. The “East Course”, with imposing character and striking identity, has received high praise from golfers the world over. Set within captivating natural surroundings, the “East” is a strategic golf course that utilizes dramatic water features, creative bunkering and various forms of native fauna to challenge golfers of all levels.
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FEATURED GOLF COURSE & HOTEL
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Saadiyat Beach GC
Designed by Gary Player, Saadiyat Beach Club is an 18-hole, par-72 golf course which opened for play in March 2010. At the time, it was billed as the Persian Gulf’s first ocean course, with six holes featuring panoramic Gulf views. Located on Saadiyat Island, 10 kilometers to the north east of Abu Dhabi city center, the course is one of the most environmentally friendly in the region.
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Park Hyatt Dubai
The Park Hyatt Dubai is located in the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, on the banks of the historic Dubai Creek. This 223 rooms hotel is perfect for golfers looking for private balconies with stunning views of the Dubai Creek, city skyline or the Lagoon. From an inspired assortment of award-winning restaurants to a luxury spa, Park Hyatt Dubai will surely guarantee to provide a great Dubai golf holiday experience.
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FEATURED GOLF TRIP INSPIRATION
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Enter the United Arab Emirates - come with us on a sense tickling golf and culture journey through the UAE's largest emirates, Abu Dhabi & Dubai. Stay at the world's finest hotels and tee-off at world class golf courses designed by only the best course designers. Immerse yourself into the middle eastern culture on our bespoke cultural sightseeing excursions through the emirates. Make this your next best golf holiday, which will truly be unforgettable and will have you tell many stories to your loved ones at home. View the complete trip itinerary.
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- Alpine Bangkok Golf Tournament 20 Dec., 2020 Bangkok, Thailand
- Amari Hua Hin Skins Golf Week 20 – 24 Mar. 2021 Hua Hin, Thailand
- Centara World Masters 2021 6 – 12 Jun., 2021 Hua Hin, Thailand
- AVANI Pattaya 2 Ball Golf Championship 13 – 19 Jun., 2021 Pattaya, Thailand
- Mercure Pattaya Men’s Open Golf Week 5 – 11 Sep., 2021 Pattaya, Thailand
- AccorHotels Vietnam World Masters 12 – 18 Sep., 2021 Danang, Vietnam
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SOUTHEAST ASIA COVID-19 UPDATES
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Thailand
Thailand is starting to gradually welcome back tourists and has revived its new Tourist Visa. The country’s new Tourist Visa (TR) type is now applicable for all nationalities around the world. The Tourist Visa (TR) is available for everybody, regardless of country or residency. Applicants can arrive on any flight coming to Thailand and must stay in quarantine for 15 nights upon arrival, further duration of stay can be of any period for up to 60 days maximum (including 15 nights of quarantine stay).
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Vietnam
Vietnam’s borders remain closed to foreign tourists at this time with only very limited exemptions for diplomatic, official duty, and special cases, including experts, business managers, foreign investors, and high-tech workers of businesses involved in important projects as determined by the Government of Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City is preparing 27 additional hotels to be designated as paid quarantine facilities for those arriving in Vietnam. Hanoi currently has designated eight hotels as paid quarantine facilities.
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Malaysia
Malaysia remains closed to international tourists which is scheduled to remain in place until 31st December. Unfortunately, due to the sudden increase in cases in some parts of Malaysia, the country is operating under moderate travel and business restrictions known as Enhanced Movement Control Order.
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Indonesia
Indonesia’s borders remain closed to international tourists for the time being. Arrivals are allowed only for certain and limited purposes such as; business, investment, work, family unification and some other exceptional / emergency situations. Domestic travelling is permitted all over Indonesia.
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Golfasian has been SHA (Safety & Health Administration) accredited by the Tourism Authority of Thailand. As Thailand is slowly preparing to re-open its borders for international golf travelers, an initiative by the Tourism Authority of Thailand has provided a selected number of tour operators and DMCs who underwent stringent safety & health checks with the SHA (Safety & Health Administration) accreditation. The stringent measures include frequent deep cleaning of Golfasian vans before each service, drivers wearing masks and frequent washing of hands. All customers will be provided with masks and free hand sanitizer upon arrival. Temperature checks before entering the vans and before golf and sightseeing activities are now standard. We are also making use of QR codes for digital in-van golf guide brochures and provide touchless payment. Our drivers and the operations team are well trained on standardized safely protocols required by the governments strict guidelines.
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This month we are starting a series of 'Golfasian Golfer's Voice', where our golf travelers provide a bit of feedback on their previous trips with us. Have a read to what Willie & Pam Willadsen from the USA have to say. Send us your trip comments and a photo by email.
My wife and I love Colorado golf no matter the season. But last year, 2019, we spent 2 weeks in Thailand (week 1 in Chiang Mai & week 2 in Hua Hin) playing golf, meeting the Thai people, visiting a Royal Thai palace (where the movie “The King and I” was, in part filmed), feeding and washing (literally) elephants and other fun things (like great food!). What a wonderful time!!
10 years ago we spent a week in Kohler, Wisconsin (USA) where we played The Straits and The Irish at Whistling Straits, and The River and The Meadow Valleys at Blackwolf Run. We had a great time there…but it did not compare to our Thailand trip last year. Golfasian put together a special Thai golf vacation that was simply incredible. 7 rounds of great golf on 7 different Championship courses, accommodations in 4* hotels, all transportation etc. EVERYTHING was thought of by Golfasian folks and guess what…not including airfare, our Thai trip was much less than what our 6 days in Kohler cost. We are looking at a trip to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia next year…depending on “the Virus.” What more can we say? - Willie & Pam Willadsen.
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GOLFASIAN PARTNER INTERVIEW
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Check out our "Golfasian Partner Interview" with Pierre-Andre Pelletier, Regional Vice-President, Operations Southern Thailand and Maldives. Hear what Pierre has to say about the current state of golf in Phuket, what can be improved and why you should plan your next golf holiday to this amazing region of our planet. Watch the video here.
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DOWNLOAD THE ASIA GOLF GUIDE
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As a Golfasian newsletter subscriber, you are entitled to a complimentary copy of our 2020 Asia Golf Guide.
The Asia Golf Guide showcases the best golf course and hotels in all destinations Golfasian covers.
Download the Asia Golf Guide today to start planning your next golf holiday in Asia.
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