Tourism Authority of Thailand joins IGOLF Corporate Advisory Council
Three Phuket courses recognized for excellence in environment and social sectors
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the agency which promotes tourism throughout the country, has joined the International Golf and Life Foundation (IGOLF) Corporate Advisory Council. They are the first national tourism authority to join IGOLF, which promotes environmental and social responsibility in golf worldwide.
- Three of Phuket's leading golf courses received IGOLF Laureate Certificates at a ceremony held in April 2008.
“It is heartening that TAT recognizes the need to maintain the country’s natural environment on which so much of their tourism depends,” noted Daniel Navid, IGOLF president and CEO.
The TAT announcement came at a ceremony at which IGOLF Laureate Course certificates were given to three leading Phuket golf courses – Laguna Phuket, Loch Palm and Red Mountain.
Suwalai Pinpradab, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region, notes that “Phuket has become world famous as a tourist destination, but that has come at a price in terms of environmental destruction and social change. The TAT policy is to promote good practice in the environmental and social sectors, she explained. We are pleased to work with IGOLF and leading golf courses in this beautiful island and nearby provinces for the benefit of nature and people.”
TAT works with IGOLF to encourage leading golf courses to adhere to the IGOLF Charter and become IGOLF Laureate Courses. Paul Sochaczewski, IGOLF chairman adds that “We are very pleased with TAT’s enthusiastic partnership, which will develop mutual-benefit partnerships not only in Thailand but set a standard for similar partnerships in other parts of the world.”
Recognizing the trend-setting role set by three Phuket’s golf courses, Ms Suwalai added “We encourage IGOLF’s initiative in Phuket and hopes that other responsible golf courses throughout the country will also join the IGOLF Laureate Course program.”