Khiri Travel expands into responsible golf tours

Khiri Travel Thailand will start to promote golf itineraries in Thailand by only using courses that try to help the environment, heritage and the community.

The initiative has been made possible by a pioneering partnership between Khiri Travel Thailand and Business Golf Thailand (BGT), founded by Professional Golf Association player Karl Hans, a 25-year PGA golf professional who's been based in Thailand for five years.

BGT will handle all aspects of the golf. Khiri will combine the golf element with creative and personalized travel experiences. Both will ensure that the golf courses used have a proven track record of social and environmental responsibility.

Business Golf Thailand and Graham Read, Khiri's Sustainability and Responsible Tourism Manager, are currently assessing golf courses based on CSR criteria. These include educational and training opportunities for staff, use of local products, energy saving devices, systems to reduce water consumption, measures to protect biodiversity around the course, reduced use of fertilizers and pesticides, and a general commitment to CSR practices and charitable causes.

"We aim to deliver high quality golf tours for caring golfers," said Karl Hans. "The partnership with Khiri will create value-added golf experiences that appeal to leisure, incentive and FIT market segments who believe that tourism, and even golf tourism, can be a force for good."

Sourced: TravelDailyNews

Hans, a Belgian national, specializes in creating golf events that complement business conferences, sales meetings, management seminars and product launches.

Golf tourism is a new territory for Khiri Travel. "At Khiri we're committed to innovation and creative partnerships," said Andre van der Marck, Vice President, Khiri Travel. "Karl is keen to uphold responsible values in the golf sector. I'm optimistic about our partnership and what we can achieve."