TEEING OFF: The Subtle Draw of Golf Course Beyond the Game
Outlook Business|October 2023
Golfing destinations are not just for professional golfers. Their exquisite and serene locations provide a perfect opportunity for family holidays as well as corporate gatherings. While there are several popular international destinations that offer golf holidays, India is fast catching up
Chandreyi Bandyopadhyay
TEEING OFF: The Subtle Draw of Golf Course Beyond the Game

A MICE Opportunity 

As a favourable MICE destination, India, with 158 meetings, was at 28th place in the 2019 rankings released by the International Congress and Convention Association. With 200 meetings scheduled across 55 cities under India’s G20 presidency, the tourism sector is expected to add $56 billion to the country’s GDP.

However, it may be a while before golfing destinations in India can double up as MICE venues. Vasudha Sondhi, managing director at Om Tourism, a tourism representation company, says that golfing is not a part of MICE offering in India currently. “I do not think golf is part of MICE trips from India. Even domestically, MICE and golf are not mixed. Currently, golf is more specialised. There are very few golf specialist sellers in India,” she says.

She believes there is potential to develop the sector in India. “Thailand, which had a reasonable green fee even for championship courses, has become pricier, pushing golfers to look at other destinations,” she points out. However, she feels that destinations in India are not doing enough to woo golfers.

Dhruv Verma, founder of Thriwe, a benefit-as-a-service platform running loyalty and reward programmes for organisations, disagrees. He feels that India has improved considerably in its golfing offerings in the last five years with new golf courses being added to the existing list.

“Golf has evolved beyond solely associating with the affluent. Players now include young working professionals and entrepreneurs, both men and women, who possess substantial disposable income,” says Verma. Thriwe manages golf bookings across a network of 4,000 golf courses worldwide and 40 golf courses in India.

The Course of Action

Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Outlook Business.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra October 2023-utgaven av Outlook Business.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA OUTLOOK BUSINESSSe alt
Adani After Hindenburg 2.0
Outlook Business

Adani After Hindenburg 2.0

In the days following Hindenburg's second shot at Gautam Adani, this time with Sebi chief Madhabi Puri Buch in the mix, Adani stocks held steady. But the trust of institutional investors remains to be regained

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Where Are The Jobs?
Outlook Business

Where Are The Jobs?

India is staring at a crisis: the cohort of unemployed is growing. But the problem is deeper than mere lack of jobs. So Sitharaman's solutions in Budget 2024 will not be the silver bullet for the crisis

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
'STAINLESS STEEL SECTOR PROJECTED TO GROW AT 8-9%"
Outlook Business

'STAINLESS STEEL SECTOR PROJECTED TO GROW AT 8-9%"

Stainless steel, known for its resistance to corrosion, recyclability and strength, has found its applications across sectors-from kitchen utensils to towering skyscrapers. Abhyuday Jindal, MD, Jindal Stainless discusses five drivers of growth in the stainless-steel sector of India

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
Harnessing Technology for India's Sporting Future: Insights from IITM
Outlook Business

Harnessing Technology for India's Sporting Future: Insights from IITM

We wanted to bring the rigour of IIT Madras to revolutionise the field of sports as well. We wanted to use the core strengths of IIT Madras - high quality research and development as well as teaching.

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2024
Dream11: Driving Fan Engagement and Innovation
Outlook Business

Dream11: Driving Fan Engagement and Innovation

Dream11, founded by sports enthusiasts Harsh Jain and Bhavit Sheth, has grown into the world's largest fantasy sports platform by focusing on personalisation, innovation, and a deep understanding of user needs. In an exclusive interview with Outlook Business, Rahul Mirchandani, Chief Product Officer at Dream11 & Dream Sports, speaks about the company's unique approach to product development and user engagement. With over 220 million users, Dream11 emphasises personalisation, user engagement, and cutting-edge technology.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
Sports Science Holds The Key to Olympic Wins
Outlook Business

Sports Science Holds The Key to Olympic Wins

Director-in-charge and Head of National Centre for Sports Science and Research (NCSSR) Dr. Bibhu Kalyan Nayak speaks to Outlook on the importance of sports science in modern-day sports training.

time-read
5 mins  |
September 2024
Baller Athletik: Pioneering the Future of Sportswear Technology
Outlook Business

Baller Athletik: Pioneering the Future of Sportswear Technology

How Baller Athletik is enhancing athletic performance and recovery with simple, yet powerful wearable tech.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
Integrating Technology and Hands-on Training: The Future of Sports Education in India
Outlook Business

Integrating Technology and Hands-on Training: The Future of Sports Education in India

The first-ever Sports Tech Conclave in India highlighted the importance of combining e-learning with practical experience to shape the future of sports education.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
PASSING ON THE LEGACY
Outlook Business

PASSING ON THE LEGACY

It is hard to achieve worklife balance if you are running a family business. For George Alexander Muthoot, managing director of Muthoot Finance, board meetings are the way to spend time with family

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
Pioneering a Sports Revolution: A Deep Dive into SFA's Vision and Impact on Indian Youth
Outlook Business

Pioneering a Sports Revolution: A Deep Dive into SFA's Vision and Impact on Indian Youth

In an exclusive conversation, the founders of Sports For All (SFA) share their journey of transforming grassroots sports in India. Rishikesh Joshi, a national-level swimmer, and his co-founder Vishwas Choksi, driven by their shared passion for sports, launched SFA with the vision of making sports accessible and enjoyable for every child in the country. From leveraging cutting-edge technology to ensuring inclusivity, SFA is not just nurturing future champions but also revolutionizing the sports landscape in India. This discussion delves into their inspiration, the rapid growth of SFA, and their ambitious goals for the future, shedding light on how they are shaping the next generation of Indian athletes.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024