The International Golf Summit 2025, held on 21st March at FICCI, New Delhi, brought together bureaucrats, industry leaders, golf professionals, and tourism experts to explore the growing potential of golf tourism in unlocking global opportunities. The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Mr. Varindra Sewak, Co-Chairman of the FICCI Golf Task Force and Director of Corporate Affairs and Sports at BLS International.
The panel brought together a unique mix of experts from various fields, offering fresh insights into the intersection of golf and tourism. The panelists included Dr. Juxian Lu Hesselmann, a Medical Doctor at the German Embassy and an avid golfer, who shared insights from Germany’s established golfing culture. Aman Raj, a professional golfer with four tournament wins in the last four years, offered a player’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities in golf. Vinay Aggarwal, Senior Partner at Aggarwal and Rampal and a passionate golfer, provided insights from his travels and experiences on international courses. Bui Trung Thuong, Trade Counsellor at the Embassy of Vietnam, shared Vietnam’s remarkable success story in developing golf tourism as a key economic driver. Dinesh Bhardwaj, Head of Sales at Inspiring Vacations, highlighted how travel companies are leveraging golf tourism to promote destinations and attract high-value travellers.
The panel emphasised that golf is no longer just a sport—it is a major tourism driver. With high-value travellers willing to explore new destinations for quality golf experiences, countries are increasingly investing in golf infrastructure. Dr. Hesselmann highlighted how Germany’s robust golfing culture, supported by top-notch courses and facilities, attracts thousands of golf tourists annually.
In contrast, Mr. Thuong shared Vietnam’s inspiring transformation into a golf tourism hotspot. Once a developing market, Vietnam strategically promoted its scenic golf courses, world-class resorts, and golfing events, making it a prime destination for international golf enthusiasts.
Vinay Aggarwal, who frequently travels for golf, spoke about how golfers are increasingly seeking destinations that offer a combination of excellent courses, luxury accommodations, and cultural experiences. His remarks reinforced the idea that golf tourism is not just about the sport—it is about creating memorable travel experiences.
Dinesh Bhardwaj, with his extensive travel industry experience, emphasised how tourism companies are packaging golf experiences with local attractions to appeal to global travellers. He highlighted that golf packages, including accommodation, course access, and leisure activities, are increasingly popular among affluent travellers.
A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the need to enhance the visibility of golf in India. Mr. Sewak underscored the importance of attracting larger audiences to tournaments, which would drive greater media coverage and broadcast visibility. Without spectators, he noted, golf will continue to struggle for mainstream attention.
The panel also highlighted the need for strategic collaborations with countries that have well-developed golf ecosystems. Partnerships with nations like Germany, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan could help India elevate its golf infrastructure and tourism appeal.
The summit concluded with a collective call for greater collaboration between tourism boards, golf associations, and the private sector to unlock the full potential of golf as a global tourism powerhouse.
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