By Arun Iyer- Mg. Director My Golf Tours,

Committee Member Golf Industry Association
Hon. Secretary. Travel Agents Federation of India.

They say, “Strike the iron when it’s hot.” That perfectly describes the moment Indian golf tourism finds itself in today.

With the successful hosting of the DP World Tour in Delhi, India has once again proven its capability to stage world-class golf events. The presence of top international professionals & like Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowrey, Vicktor Hovland, Luke Donald, Ben Griffin and other Ryder cup stars not only elevated the standard of the tournament but also shone a spotlight on India’s beautiful golf courses and hospitality.

Such exposure provides India with an unparalleled opportunity — to position itself as a premier golf tourism destination on the global map. Now is the time to give golf tourism the much-needed push it deserves.

A Call to Action for the Ministry of Tourism

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) can play a pivotal role by appointing a Golf Tourism Ambassador for India — someone who embodies the sport’s spirit and can promote India’s golf tourism potential globally.

Imagine short video bytes or endorsements from top professionals expressing how much they enjoyed Indian hospitality, courses, Cuisine and culture — saying they look forward to coming back. These authentic testimonials could serve as powerful marketing tools, resonating with international audiences.

Yes, such initiatives may come with a cost — but the returns will be measured in increased golf tourism arrivals, enhanced brand perception, and higher revenue for both golf courses and the broader tourism ecosystem.

Rebuilding the Momentum Post-COVID

After the closure of India’s overseas tourism offices post-COVID, much of the responsibility for promoting inbound golf tourism has fallen on tour operators. The absence of dedicated government funding has been a setback.

However, it’s encouraging to know that the Ministry of Tourism is now working closely with travel and tourism associations and federations on a renewed strategy. We remain hopeful that this roadmap will include a dedicated plan to promote golf tourism — possibly culminating in an International Golf Tourism Expo in India.

A Five-Year Roadmap for Growth

Building a strong golf tourism ecosystem is not an overnight process. It requires persistence, collaboration, and alignment between golf courses, tour operators, and government bodies.

Golf courses across India have an incredible opportunity — to fill their weekday empty tee-off slots with international vacationing golfers, turning downtime into revenue. Every round played by a visiting golfer translates into economic impact across hotels, transportation, dining, and local tourism.

This is a wake-up call for everyone in the golf and tourism industry to come together, harness this momentum, and make India a global name in golf tourism.

The time is now. Let’s strike the iron while it’s hot.

Incredible India! Play Golf here anytime of the year.