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The two leading golf resorts in Sabah have formed a marketing alliance to promote golf tourism in Malaysia’s most eastern state, situated on the island of Borneo.
A key feature of the co-operative promotional campaign between Sutera Harbour Resort and Shangri-La Rasa Ria Resort is the launch of a new website, Sabah Golf (www.sabah-golf.com). As well as giving prospective visitors an insight into some of Malaysia’s most scenic and enjoyable golf, the website highlights Sabah’s numerous tourism attractions, including its rich local culture and colonial history, offshore islands, pristine tropical jungle and nature reserves.
The launch of Sabah Golf – with a catchline of ‘Simply Awesome’ – coincides with the first Asia Golf Tourism Convention to be held later this month by the International Association of Golf Tourism Operators (IAGTO) in Kuala Lumpur. The convention will bring more than 100 golf tourism operators to Malaysia at a time when Asia has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing and most exciting golf tourism market.
Before the convention, the two resorts will host a visit by golf tour operators from Europe, Australia and other international markets, who will see Sabah’s golf credentials for themselves.
As members of the Malaysia Golf Tourism Association, formed last year, Sutera Harbour Resort and Shangri-La Rasa Ria’s Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club are especially seeking to boost golf tourism from regional Asia, Australia/New Zealand and Europe. Sabah’s capital, Kota Kinabalu, receives direct flights from numerous Malaysian and Asian cities including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Singapore and Shenzhen.
Sutera Harbour Golf and Country Club has 27 holes of high quality championship-standard golf designed by former Australian tour pro, Graham Marsh. Fronting the South China Sea, it has several outstanding golf holes including the signature hole 24 playing beside the water’s edge. The resort also offers the only night golf in East Malaysia.
Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club is located within the Sutera Harbour Resort which encompasses the marina, the 500-room Pacific Sutera Hotel and the 456-room Magellan Sutera Resort.
Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club is an 18-hole layout designed by another Australian, Ted Parslow, which offers a delightful jungle and water golf environment that is also close to the ocean.
Bordered by the Tambalang and Mangkabong rivers with stunning vistas to Mt Kinabalu, the course offers a classic wetland golf experience with water on every hole. Another highlight of the Shangri-La Rasa Ria resort complex, nestled in a secluded bay beside the ocean, is the Rasa Ria Nature Reserve where endangered young orang-utans are nurtured before being released back into the wild.
Guests at both resorts can be playing on their two acclaimed golf courses within a few minutes of leaving their rooms – an advantage not always available at other golf destinations in Asia. Each property has released a special stay-and-play package that includes accommodation, breakfasts, two rounds of golf (18 holes) and other benefits with a minimum three-night stay.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
