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Golfing in Nepal

A report of World Tourism Organization stated that South Asia, with an average of US$ 910, has one of the highest earnings per tourist arrival. Nepal, however, earns a megre US$ 400 per tourist arrival. There is no doubt that Nepal is seen as a cheap tourist destination.

Now what can be done to improve this pale image? Promotion of sport tourism – especially golf – seems to be a solution. The organizers of the 13th Soaltee Challenge Golf Trophy at the Royal Nepal Golf Course (RNGC) certainly think it is.

The Soaltee Challenge Golf Tournament, which is an annual and traditionally a day-long tournament, saw a new two-day format introduced this year to accommodate the maximum number of golfing enthusiasts. After two-days of competitive rounds of golfing, the tournament came to a close on 12 February. The organizers – Soaltee Hotels Limited – expressed satisfaction on the way the tournament went, what with as many as 72 RNGC members and invited guests taking part in this year’s tournament.

Soaltee Hotel claims that it has been in the forefront of developing golf in Nepal – not to promote the sport alone but with a view of promoting tourism in the country.

It is no secret that golf and tourism have become inter-related with special groups coming in just to play golf. For example, Australian tour operators sell such packages under which the visitor goes Down-Under mainly to play golf there at several courses. It is thus evident that there exists a big potential market for golf tourism.

"There is a sizeable marker for golfing tourism, and it can be done in Nepal", says Prabhakar SJB Rana, Chairman of Soaltee Hotel. He, however, points out that one or two golf courses will just not be enough to support the large number of tourists that might be attracted. Golf courses will have to be developed in places like Pokhara and Dharan. Tourists would want to see other places besides Kathmandu anyway.

It is evident that the leisurely sport of golf is fast gaining in popularity. Which is why we saw two international whiskey brands – Johny Walker and The Famous Grouse – sponsor golf tournaments to promote their respective brands at the fag end of the last millennium. Golf, unlike some other sports like football, is a rich man’s game. Which means that if we are able to attract tourists to come to Nepal to play golf, these will invariably be the high-spending ones. "Proprietors and chairmen of big corporate houses are willing to come and play golf in Nepal. They have even become members of our club," says Rana.

But, like stated earlier, there is no doubt that golf courses will have to be developed in various parts of the country. The golf course at the Fulbari Resort in Pokhara will certainly provide support to the development of golf and tourism in Nepal. So will the course at Dharan which has been opened by an individual who retired from British army service.

Yet more will have to be done if the development of the sport is to be pursued seriously. The cricket ground at Tribhuvan University has already been recognized as one of the most picturesque grounds. Who knows, in years to come, Nepal might be recognized as a premiere golf destination.

Sporting the Private Sector Way

As opposed to a few years back, sport activities these days have become private sector affairs as one private company after another is gearing up to organize some sporting event.

In keeping with the trend, a tennis tournament entitled ‘The Millennium Ambassador’s Cup 2000’ was recently organized by Hotel Yak & Yeti. Other sponsors included Tiger Mountain, Nepal Grindlays Bank, Singapore Airlines and Carlsberg.

With the objective of developing sport activities in Nepal, Surya Tobacco Co. (P) Ltd. and the All Nepal Football Association are going to hold Khukuri Gold Cup football tournament that will kick off on February 27 and conclude on March 18.

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A press release issued by the organizers of the annual event relates that the winner and first runner-up in the 34-team tournament will take home prize money of Rs. 2,10,000 and Rs. 1,00,000 respectively.

Another sport that is gaining in popularity in the country is snooker and pool. A large number of pool houses have opened up in the Kathmandu valley and the Carlsberg Open Snooker Championship will provide the pool houses opportunity to popularize themselves. Some 32 pool houses are expected to contest in the tournament that will take place from February 28 to March 11.