Joniston (left) with Joo during the meeting.
KOTA KINABALU: Sabah’s golf courses are a compelling draw for Koreans due to their convenient accessibility, says South Korean Consul-General in Kota Kinabalu Joo Jung-cheol.
Joo mentioned that with five million golfers in Korea, attracting even 10 per cent of them to Sabah is a significant opportunity.
“Our golfers in Korea highly value South East Asia, including destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines,” he said.
Joo highlighted Malaysia’s rise as the third-favoured destination for Korean golfers, trailing behind Thailand and the Philippines.
He said this in a meeting with Assistant Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Joniston Bangkuai, who is also Sabah Tourism Board (STB) Chairman, today to discuss tourism and investment opportunities.
“I have played golf in Kota Kinabalu, and in my opinion, it is the best due to its excellent accessibility to golf courses in the heart of the city centre and within a 30-minute drive. It is a good selling point,” said Joo.
He was referring to the Sutera Habour Golf and Country Club, the Sabah Golf and Country Club, and the nearby Karambunai Golf and Country Club as well as the Dalit Bay Golf and Country Club.
“We anticipate many Koreans will come to Sabah during the high season between December and February for winter vacation and golf,” said Joo.
In 2019, he noted that 480,000 Koreans visited Sabah, with over 20 per cent participating in golf-related activities.
He also emphasised Sabah’s growing popularity as an investment destination for Korean investors, with Korean companies investing in the state’s golf business.
Meanwhile, Joniston emphasised Sabah’s commitment to promoting golf tourism as a niche market, highlighting the affordable packages that appeal to Koreans without compromising on quality services.
In addition, he noted that the involvement of major companies like SK Nexilis in Sabah’s investment landscape would not only yield spillover effects in tourism but also play a pivotal role in promoting the state and attracting more tourists.
“Koreans currently top Sabah’s tourist market, and China is slowly picking up.
“We are doing everything possible to continue attracting Korean tourists, as well as others, with our many attractions that cater to their specific needs,” he said.
