The seaside city of Pattaya was awarded the number 1 Asia Golf Destination of the Year 2012 at the International Golf Travel Market in Belek, Turkey, held at the end of last year, according to the National News Bureau of Thailand (NNT).

Mayor of Pattaya Ithiphol Kunplome explained that the award was voted for by the members of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), which includes over 400 tour operators from 50 countries worldwide. Previous winners include Malaysia and Thailand; however, Pattaya is the first regional city to have won the award.

The members of the IAGTO found that Pattaya offered quality golf courses with good management and excellent services, which is great value for money.

Ithiphol added that this award is also a prestigious prize for the members of Thailand’s East Coast Golf Courses Management Association (EGA), who have worked hard to push their golf courses to the front row of Asia and Australia.

At the same time, this award will stimulate further development among EGA members in order to maintain the championship status in future competitions as well as improve the quality of golf courses in the eastern part Thailand, he added./.