Sam Sakocius, President of Qualitas Project Control, has teamed with Zenta Thomas, President of Dragon Rock, to launch Destination Golf, a golf travel media brand in Asia
Named respectively as Destination Golf’s Asian Brand Ambassador and Senior Feature Editor in charge of content creation, Thomas and Sakocius have guided Destination Golf Media into the Asian market with a creative and strategic campaign aimed at propelling the European-based media company into a prominent travel media position in Asia.
Thomas said: “A multi-pronged approach was key to achieving the two goals of bringing awareness of Destination Golf media to golf properties and stakeholders in Asia while simultaneously stimulating Destination Golf’s worldwide subscriber base’s interest in the vast, exotic golf offerings Asia has to offer.
“This year’s push to launch Destination Golf in Asia was comprised of a series of initiatives covering high profile golf events, conferences, trade shows, tourism board conclaves and tourism influencer consultations.”
As well as embarking on adventurous Fam tour treks to produce regional coverage of places as unique and exotic as Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Abu Dhabi, Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand and Laos, there was a one-on-one celebrity interview with six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, on the heels of his world golf designer of the year acclaim, and the creation of video content featuring top designers like Dana Fry, hot off the Erin Hills US Open Championship.
“It has been a joy to be able to introduce the exotic wonders of Asia to travelling golfers. Travellers from the West are sometimes intimidated by the long trip or foreign customs and language.
“Demystifying the region and actually communicating the charm and sense of adventure for them has been personally rewarding. The travel and experience, coupled with writing and feedback, has enabled us to advise developers and operators on the best ways to target that elite, well-heeled strata of golf travellers,” said Sakocius, whose company is an Associate Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF).
Faldo, President Faldo Design, also an Associate Business Member of the AGIF, said: “I did an interview with Sam Sakocius that captured my thoughts about, and love for, golf in Asia. He really ‘got’ the fact that Asia is not just a design opportunity, but that Asia is a place that I have enjoyed ever since I was first playing in professional events there, and now as a holiday destination and for my various business interests.”
Dermot Synnott, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Destination Golf Media, said: “Although our brand is very established in Europe and on the internet, we knew that our market entry into Asia would take a special approach and dedicated team.
“I found this is Zenta and Sam, who have visited the major golf destinations in Asia and attended the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) for the last two years to have a personal, face-to-face approach with clients, listening to their goals and aligning them with our global strategies. With Zenta and Sam looking after our market entry, I am very excited about the future of Destination Golf in Asia.”
The first Asian guide was launched at April’s AGTC in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The issue featured a list of Asia’s most memorable courses, as selected by a panel of expert judges. Awards were presented while a special inaugural sweepstakes was held with the winning property, Rainbow Hills Golf Resort, garnering a 10-page feature article which appeared in the summer global guide.
The second Asian Global Guide will be published and released at next year’s AGTC.
Peter Walton, Managing Director, IAGTO, said: “What Destination Golf does is very important for the golf tourism industry because 70 per cent of golf travellers are looking for new destinations to visit. By giving golfers who are curious about new golf destinations recommendations by good and seasoned golf travel writers, Destination Golf is providing an essential service to the travel industry.”
Nguyễn Danh Ngọc, Vice President of Vinpearl Marketing, said: “It was our honour to be crowned as one of the most memorable golf courses in Asia 2019 on Destination Golf’s first Asian edition. This recognition marked a milestone for us to promote tourism in Phu Quoc and the five-star Vinpearl resort complex.”
Mark Siegel, Managing Director of Golfasian, said: “Golfasian has received excellent coverage in Destination Golf. I wish DG complete success with the launch of their new Asian edition.”
Kyi Hla Han, President of Kyi Hla Han Golf Design and former Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “As native of Myanmar and former Tour professional, it was my pleasure to host Sam Sakocius on a tour of golf and culture throughout the country, including a stop at the course where I was the signature designer, Myotha National.
“Sam’s feature captured the essence of a golf vacation in Myanmar with honesty and a perfect understanding of the nuances that make Myanmar so special. With several new world-class courses in the works, we are poised to become one of the great golf destinations.”
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